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What does a circuit designer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Circuit designer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real circuit designer resumes:

  • Manage and assign company facilities and assets through the use of: circuit reports, manual logs and PC generate reports.
  • Configure, document, and support routers, switches, and VPN.
  • Used handheld computers and pressure gauges.
  • Test and measurement of various RF circuits.
  • Develop schematic & PCB footprints for component library.
  • Transition to in-circuit testing of complete circuit boards.
  • Update Metasolv, VoIP system and status logs.
  • Redesign PWB's to meet FCC and EMI requirements.
  • Capture and generate schematics and net lists with ORCAD software.
  • Utilize ORCAD and PCAD software to design print circuit boards.
  • Configure new Cisco routers for new customers and configure backbone routers.
  • Develop and implement a unique shape naming convention for SMT IC's.
  • Design the printed circuit board (PCB) and test digital blocks performance.
  • Utilize expertise with DISA circuits, TSR/TSO processes, and DISA's data networks.
  • Modify installation of WICs router hardware and upgrade software's such as IOS upgrades.

Circuit designer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Circuit Designers are proficient in Cadence, Analog, and RF. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Circuit Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Cadence, 11%

    Used Cadence design and verification tools

  • Analog, 10%

    Power Supply Design using DC-DC converters for generating different voltage levels necessary to power the analog and digital components.

  • RF, 7%

    Designed Printed Circuits of sensitive RF impedance controlled circuitry for research and development of Wireless Communications semiconductor solutions.

  • MATLAB, 7%

    Modeled and simulated a simple full wave bridge rectifier with a capacitor on MATLAB and PSPICE.

  • IP, 6%

    Provided engineering and administrative functions associated with the design, management & tracking of circuit installations and IP assignments.

  • CMOS, 5%

    Used VLSI software (MAGIC) to design digital CMOS integrated circuits.

"cadence," "analog," and "rf" are among the most common skills that circuit designers use at work. You can find even more circuit designer responsibilities below, including:

Initiative. One of the key soft skills for a circuit designer to have is initiative. You can see how this relates to what circuit designers do because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Additionally, a circuit designer resume shows how circuit designers use initiative: "contract position) provide the technical project support for state agencies within virginia as part of the mpls network transformation initiative. "

Speaking skills. Many circuit designer duties rely on speaking skills. "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians," so a circuit designer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways circuit designer responsibilities rely on speaking skills: "presented in sid 2005) pcb & fpc design for electronic modules, fpga design for constitution of timing controllers. "

Writing skills. This is an important skill for circuit designers to perform their duties. For an example of how circuit designer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a circuit designer: "design of algorithms for writing c++ codes for placement and routing for each vlsi module in circuit by min-cut technique. ".

All circuit designer skills

The three companies that hire the most circuit designers are:

Compare different circuit designers

Circuit designer vs. Engineering trainee

An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.

If we compare the average circuit designer annual salary with that of an engineering trainee, we find that engineering trainees typically earn a $45,383 lower salary than circuit designers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between circuit designers and engineering trainees are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like rf, matlab, and ip.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between circuit designers and engineering trainee. For instance, circuit designer responsibilities require skills such as "cadence," "place-and-route," "analog," and "cmos." Whereas a engineering trainee is skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "r," and "boilers." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Engineering trainees earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $63,253. On the other hand, circuit designers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $103,752.engineering trainees tend to reach similar levels of education than circuit designers. In fact, engineering trainees are 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Circuit designer vs. Control systems engineer

Control systems engineers are interdisciplinary engineers managing the company's control systems. They are expected to be familiar with different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial, and computer science, among others. They are responsible for designing systems based on the company's requirements. Control systems engineers must conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the company's requirements can be met. They are also responsible for developing the systems, creating prototypes, and testing. They test whether the control systems produce desired results. After testing, control systems engineers implement the system and conduct routine maintenance checks.

Control systems engineer positions earn lower pay than circuit designer roles. They earn a $12,891 lower salary than circuit designers per year.A few skills overlap for circuit designers and control systems engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "matlab," "ethernet," and "cad. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real circuit designer resumes. While circuit designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "cadence," "place-and-route," "analog," and "rf," control systems engineers use skills like "plc," "hmi," "c++," and "simulink."

Control systems engineers earn a lower average salary than circuit designers. But control systems engineers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $92,020. Additionally, circuit designers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $103,752 annually.In general, control systems engineers achieve similar levels of education than circuit designers. They're 2.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Circuit designer vs. Senior controls engineer

A senior controls engineer specializes in designing and developing control systems in various industries. Their responsibilities typically include identifying and understanding the company's needs, producing prototypes and test structures, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior controls engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, senior controls engineers earn higher salaries than circuit designers, with a $1,680 difference per year.circuit designers and senior controls engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "matlab," "ethernet," and "technical support," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, circuit designers are more likely to have skills like "cadence," "place-and-route," "analog," and "rf." But a senior controls engineer is more likely to have skills like "control systems," "hmi," "c++," and "allen-bradley."

Senior controls engineers earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $109,075. Comparatively, circuit designers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $103,752.senior controls engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to circuit designers. Specifically, they're 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Circuit designer vs. Telecom engineer

Telecom engineers are engineering experts who design and install telecommunication equipment to ensure the transmission of high-quality data over wired or wireless communication. Due to their in-depth understanding of emerging technologies, these engineers are required to create solution designs such as drawings and design documents as well as offer guidance to reduce complexity and costs. They must identify and resolve any issues related to fiber optics and copper cables while setting up system monitoring to reduce equipment failure and incident response time. Telecom engineers are also required to operate and improve the telephony systems.

Telecom engineers typically earn lower pay than circuit designers. On average, telecom engineers earn a $24,234 lower salary per year.According to resumes from circuit designers and telecom engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "rf," "ip," and "ethernet. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between circuit designers and telecom engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a circuit designer might have more use for skills like "cadence," "place-and-route," "analog," and "matlab." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of telecom engineers require skills like "telephony," "telecommunication," "unified communications," and "lan. "

In general, telecom engineers earn the most working in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $83,368. The highest-paying industry for a circuit designer is the manufacturing industry.In general, telecom engineers hold similar degree levels compared to circuit designers. Telecom engineers are 2.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of circuit designer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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