Diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electrical components, assemblies, or systems. Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards. Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets. Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed. Set up and operate standard or specialized testing equipment. Review installation or quality assurance documentation. Participate in training or continuing education activities to stay abreast of engineering or industry advances. Review, develop, and prepare maintenance standards. Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers. Design or modify engineering schematics for electrical transmission and distribution systems or for electrical installation in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Supervise the construction or testing of electrical prototypes, according to general instructions and established standards. Assist engineers and scientists in conducting applied research in electrical engineering. Assemble or test solar photovoltaic products, such as inverters or energy management systems. Build or test electrical components of electric-drive vehicles or prototype vehicles. Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable or nonsustainable designs. Construct and evaluate electrical components for consumer electronics applications such as fuel cells for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, and energy efficient power chargers. Create or modify electrical components to be used in renewable energy generation. Evaluate electrical engineering plans to determine whether they comply with applicable environmental standards. Participate in the development or testing of electrical aspects of new green technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, or energy efficient televisions.

Test sustainable materials for their applicability to electrical engineering systems or system designs.

Tools & Technology All 34 displayed

Tools used in this occupation:Binocular light compound microscopes Capacitance meters — Inductance capacitance resistance LCR meters Electronic measuring probes — Probe stations Frequency analyzers — Spectrum analyzers Frequency counters or timer or dividers — Microwave frequency counters Laboratory mechanical convection ovens — Reflow ovens Laser printers Level generators — Pulse generators Microcontrollers — Programmable logic controllers PLC Multimeters Network analyzers Oscilloscopes Personal computers Plotter printers — Plotters Power meters — Power quality analyzers Reflectometers — Optical time domain reflectometers OTDR Signal generators — Function generators Soldering iron — Soldering equipment Voltage or current meters — Analog current meters; Digital voltmeters DVM; Standing wave ratio SWR meters

Technology used in this occupation:Analytical or scientific software — BSVC; OctTools *; PTC Mathcad; Wolfram Research Mathematica (see all 17 examples) Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Bentley Microstation; PUFF; Tanner Research L-Edit (see all 8 examples) Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access Development environment software — C; Microchip MPLAB Integrated Development Environment *; Motorola Digital Signal Processing DSP Assembler; National Instruments LabVIEW (see

all 8 examples) Document management software — FlukeView Forms software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Internet browser software — Microsoft Internet Explorer * Object or component oriented development software — C++; Microsoft Visual Basic.NET Office suite software — Microsoft Office software Operating system software — Linux; UNIX

Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint Program testing software — Rockwell RSLogix; Vector Software VectorCast Project management software — Microsoft Project Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Word processing software — Microsoft Word

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.back to top

Knowledge 5 of 13 displayed

Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

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Skills 5 of 17 displayed

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems. Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

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Abilities 5 of 21 displayed

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the

problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

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Work Activities 5 of 28 displayed

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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Detailed Work Activities 5 of 25 displayed

Operate industrial equipment. Update technical knowledge. Create electrical schematics. Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems. Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

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Work Context 5 of 24 displayed

Electronic Mail — 98% responded “Every day.”

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 92% responded “Every day.” Face-to-Face Discussions — 81% responded “Every day.” Freedom to Make Decisions — 78% responded “A lot of freedom.” Structured versus Unstructured Work — 59% responded “A lot of freedom.”

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Job ZoneTitle Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Related Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

SVP Range (7.0 to < 8.0)back to top

Education

Percentage of Respondents Education Level Required

51  Bachelor's degree

26  Associate's degree

13  Master's degreeThis occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:Engineering — Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technicianback to top