How to Become an Electrical Engineer
What is an Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineering is not about to go out of fashion any time soon. Electrical engineers create electrical devices to satisfy our ever-growing needs to stay comfortable and live effortlessly. They design, develop, test, and produce anything from IT to telecommunication devices, generators, engines, vehicles, and navigation systems so we can keep our universe under our control.
Electrical engineering is not something you can just dip your feet in and see how it goes. It is either all in or all out. If you opt for all in, you will spend years learning your craft and end up being an inventor of devices that might potentially make our world a better place.
Electrical engineering is becoming more and more intertwined with computer engineering as IT technologies develop and find their way into controlling mechanical engineering products. The more comprehensive the field becomes, though, the more power and resources go to the ones mastering it. That is why entry-level salaries of electrical engineers average around US$109,000 a year.
What Does an Electrical Engineer Do
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, or power generation equipment. Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft.
How To Become an Electrical Engineer
Electrical and electronics engineers must have a bachelor’s degree. Employers also value practical experience, so participation in cooperative engineering programs, in which students earn academic credit for structured work experience. Having a Professional Engineer (PE) license may improve an engineer’s chances of finding employment.
EducationHigh school students interested in studying electrical or electronics engineering benefit from taking courses in physics and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Courses in drafting are also helpful, because electrical and electronics engineers often are required to prepare technical drawings.
In order to enter the occupation, prospective electrical and electronics engineers need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electrical engineering technology. Programs include classroom, laboratory, and field studies. Courses include digital systems design, differential equations, and electrical circuit theory. Programs in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electrical engineering technology should be accredited by ABET.
Some colleges and universities offer cooperative programs in which students gain practical experience while completing their education. Cooperative programs combine classroom study with practical work. Internships provide similar experience and are growing in number.
At some universities, students can enroll in a 5-year program that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. A graduate degree allows an engineer to work as an instructor at some universities, or in research and development.
Important QualitiesConcentration. Electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products. They must be able to keep track of multiple design elements and technical characteristics when performing these tasks.
Initiative. Electrical and electronics engineers must be able to apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake. In addition, they must engage in continuing education to keep up with changes in technology.
Interpersonal skills. Electrical and electronics engineers must be able to work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly. This collaboration includes monitoring technicians and devising remedies to problems as they arise.
Math skills. Electrical and electronics engineers must be able to use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment.
Speaking skills. Electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians. They must be able to explain their designs and reasoning clearly and to relay instructions during product development and production. They also may need to explain complex issues to customers who have little or no technical expertise.
Writing skills. 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.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsLicensure is not required for entry-level positions as electrical and electronics engineers. A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one’s career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
- A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
- A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
- Relevant work experience
- A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
The initial Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can be taken right after graduation from a college or university. Engineers who pass this exam commonly are called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After getting work experience, EITs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.
Several states require engineers to take continuing education courses to keep their license. Most states recognize licensure from other states if the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements.
AdvancementElectrical and electronic engineers may advance to supervisory positions in which they lead a team of engineers and technicians. Some may move to management positions, working as engineering or program managers. Preparation for managerial positions usually requires working under the guidance of a more experienced engineer. For more information, see the profile on architectural and engineering managers.
For sales work, an engineering background enables engineers to discuss a product's technical aspects and assist in product planning and use. For more information, see the profile on sales engineers.
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Electrical Engineer Career Paths
In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of engineer you might progress to a role such as project engineer eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title project engineering manager.
Electrical Engineer Jobs You Might Like
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Average Salary for an Electrical Engineer
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Electrical Engineer Resumes
Designing and figuring out what to include on your resume can be tough, not to mention time-consuming. That's why we put together a guide that is designed to help you craft the perfect resume for becoming an Electrical Engineer. If you're needing extra inspiration, take a look through our selection of templates that are specific to your job.
Jessica Porter |
Emma Lawrence  Seattle, WA  (360) 555-3663  elawrence@example.com Experience Electrical Engineer2018 - Present Boeing•Seattle, WA
Junior Electrical Engineer2015 - 2018 Boeing•Seattle, WA
Electronics Engineer2005 - 2015 CTS•Davis, CA
Skills ClearanceRFCapital ProjectsProduct DevelopmentMinitabNECSystem DesignTest FailuresElectrical EngineersArc Flash Education Bachelor's Degree Electrical Engineering2002 - 2005 University of California - Davis•Davis, CA |
Heather Coleman  Electrical Engineer2020 - Present Jacobs Engineering GroupHouston, TX
Electrical Research Engineer2010 - 2020 Jacobs Engineering GroupHouston, TX
Computer Engineer2006 - 2010 Best BuyChicago, IL
 Bachelor's Degree Electrical Engineering2003 - 2006 DeVry UniversityOakbrook Terrace, IL |
Contact Information  Houston, TX (430) 555-4399 hcoleman@example.comSkills ESD Design Software Information Technology Transformers Labview Electrical Systems UL Electrical Engineers CFR Fpga |
Alan Henry  Reston, VA  (360) 555-2773  ahenry@example.com Skills Research ProjectsFpgaClassroom ManagementESLAsicHardwareSociologyClass MaterialElectrical SystemsCAD |
Employment History Electrical Engineer2011 - Present General Dynamics•Reston, VA
Electrical Engineer2009 - 2011 L3 Technologies•Reston, VA
Graduate Research And Teaching Assistant2006 - 2009 North Carolina Central University•Greensboro, NC
Education Master's Degree Electrical Engineering2005 - 2006 University of North Carolina at Greensboro•Greensboro, NC Bachelor's Degree Electrical Engineering2002 - 2005 University of North Carolina at Greensboro•Greensboro, NC |
- Install and wire transformers.Pipe to termination panels and equipment.
- Supervised all aspects of electrical design and production on commercial and healthcare projects.
- Collaborated with Architects and Engineers to design electrical systems for SW DeKalb High School and Kennesaw State University Student Center.
- Executed the full lifecycle of customer computer hardware and software projects.
- Perform electrical inspections which include power distribution as well as facilities electrical systems and perform necessary repairs.
- Provided project management support throughout the development process, from prototype to deployment.
- Recommended electrical standards for industrial machinery, including NFPA, UL, and CE.
- Provide engineering support to Project Engineering Group and construction contractor.
- Visited job sites to oversee electrical systems installation.
- Teach General Chemistry Courses A, B, C which includes discussion and laboratory sections of the course.
- Collected data, performed statistical analyses, and presented preliminary findings for faculty research projects.
- Performed additional tasks including, but not limited to, data cleansing, data mapping and visualization, and data analysis.
- Research Projects
- Labview
- Technical Reports
- Lab Equipment
- IP
- Arc Flash
- Electrical Systems
- Vhdl
- Motor Control
- ESL
- Major: Electrical Engineering
- Major: Electrical Engineering
- design and programming of Certification and integration test systems for LTE and CDMA base station products
- Embedded software development & general hardware design for wireless data receiver.
- team Participated on a RF team that developed the Phoenix (V.60t) dual-mode tri-band TDMA cellular phone.
- Trained new employees in use of local API's, source code management, system build procedures, and coding standards.
- Developed RF GSM transmitter block for new Smartphone.
- Maintained hardware group in compliance with QS9000.
- Assisted a Motorola Systems Technologist during the optimization and implementation of RF communications simulcast system.
- Coordinated communications between departments of software, hardware and senior staff.
- Synthesized code using Synopsys FPGA Express.
- Developed standardized work procedures to efficiently execute product line start-up and shut-down tasks that eliminated energy waste.
- Communicate with Area Managers, Operators, and Inspectors to ensure proper procedures are followed.
- Led electrical design reviews and reviewed contractor submittals.
- Introduced and proposed operational changes to protect deteriorating hardware onboard International Space Station.
- Support MTO(Manufacturing Turn Over) testing, HSI(Hardware and Software Integration) and System Requirements Verification/ATP.
- Developed and validated RF Test specifications and requirements for electrical/electronic hardware and components.
- Utilize Easy Power Software to perform Short Circuit Analysis, Overcurrent Protection Coordination, and Arc Flash Studies.
- Developed virtual locomotive air brakes using LABVIEW to be used as hardware in the loop.
- Code: NEC, GO-95, IEEE 1584, IEEE518, UL508, NFPA70E 2015, API RP 500.
- Trouble shooting, C programmer, soldering and testing for PCB, machines calibration, and wiring for power control boards)
- Assisted consumers on electrical problems, determined solutions and provided customer service.
- Stock and organize the electrical department of the store accordingly and in a timely fashion.
- Powerpoint
- RF
- Coordination Studies
- Hardware
- UL
- EMI
- Ensure Product
- Electronic Equipment
- PLC
- IEC
- Create standards such as electrical designs, protective schemes, SCADA point mapping, functional check out procedures and test documents.
- Designed electrical systems for water and wastewater facilities.
- Designed and tested of EEPROM control circuit on SMICS 0.35 m VLSI technology.
- Provided necessary technical support for electrical systems.
- Perform electrical design with all applicable codes and create specifications.
- Used linting tools to clean up RTL designs.
- Implemented multi-core screen for DDR hardware failure in prototype chip.
- Applied Six Sigma methodology (DMAIC) and statistical testing methods "design of experiments" to do root cause analysis.
- Support Clinical /Regulatory, Operations, Product Development, QA manager and Testing Directors.
- Work was done on Linux OS.
- Developed residential and commercial thermostat hardware - Chrono IV series.
- Work in software development team with JavaScript, SQL and Excel.
- Hardware
- Radar
- CAD
- Failure Analysis
- Sigma
- Osha
- Electrical Department
- DSP
- Test Equipment
- Project Management
- Advised and approved application of specs for use in new product development expediting commercialization.
- Teach LabVIEW to other engineers.
- Planned and executed activities associated with electrical systems.
- Provide engineering design and support for construction and assist project control package.
- Improved the Electrical Engineering design and review processes to include improving contractor-military relationships for several sites in-country.
- Recommend major deficiencies, potential hazard buildings need to bring up to safety standard per NEC British Standard 7671.
- Prepared all the standard design details such as conduit and tray supports, lighting and grounding for electrical design group.
- Performed MATLAB simulation of RMU control system and the PLC control software.
- Generate and conduct Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and System Integration Tests (SIT) Write installation and operation manuals.
- Coordinated the PWB layout of the Iridium satellite Kband modem 16 layer board with high speed digital and RF.
- Designed PCB using Mentor Graphics.
- Worked with software and hardware groups on support for architecture, and performance evaluation under various conditions and factors.
- Converted existing schematics into RTL, designed new functions in Verilog, and performed chip level power estimates.
- Instruct Motorola employees as well as wireless carriers and repair centers LTE concepts and LTE RF testing.
- Familiarized with various PLC systems.
- Owned the conversion of an external 1394B IP verification environment into our FPGA chip verification environment.
- Configured the hardware and software system according to technical specification.
- Edit CAD drawings for clarity.
- Process Control
- NEC
- Engineering Design
- Motor Control
- Product Development
- RF
- Electrical Engineers
- Clearance
- Hardware
- Cost Estimates
- Write requirements and system test plans for hardware and software evaluation.
- Defined system architecture and led team developing multi-protocol LAN Bridge/Router products that provide multi-protocol interconnection of LANs over wide area networks.
- Improved electrical design test coverage through automation.
- Created test procedures to support manufacturing test station specifications and measuring of RF receivers.
- Design complex FPGA interface to all peripherals.
- Designed circuits that interfaced to an MPC860 CPU using the SPI bus that included 10-bit A/D converters and EEPROMs.
- Developed RF GSM transmitter block for new Smartphone.
- Circuit design work on DO Modem Freescale P4080 based cellular base station PCB PLL/clock recovery, JTAG and power supply circuitry.
- Redesigned RF transmitter circuit block of XTS5000 portable radios.
- Designed PCB using Mentor Graphics.
- Authored all hardware, test, and certification documentation.
- Design and programming of automated Production test systems for paging and cellular base station products.
- Led both hardware and firmware designs as well as testing and lab bring-up work.
Learn How To Write an Electrical Engineer Resume
At Zippia, we went through countless Electrical Engineer resumes and compiled some information about how to optimize them. Here are some suggestions based on what we found, divided by the individual sections of the resume itself.
View Electrical Engineer Resume Examples And Templates
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Create The Perfect Resume
Our resume builder tool will walk you through the process of creating a stand-out Electrical Engineer resume.
Top Colleges for Electrical Engineers
1. Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI • Private
2. Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA • Private
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
Find the best Electrical Engineer job for you
Online Courses For Electrical Engineer That You May Like
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Top Skills For an Electrical Engineer
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 10.2% of electrical engineers listed electrical systems on their resume, but soft skills such as concentration and initiative are important as well.
- Electrical Systems, 10.2%
- Autocad, 5.1%
- Hardware, 4.7%
- Facility, 4.4%
- Layout, 4.2%
- Other Skills, 71.4% See All Electrical Engineer Skills
12 Electrical Engineer RESUME EXAMPLES
Build a professional electrical engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 12+ resume templates to create your electrical engineer resume.
Best States For an Electrical Engineer
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as an electrical engineer. The best states for people in this position are Washington, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Alaska. Electrical engineers make the most in Washington with an average salary of $96,650. Whereas in Massachusetts and Vermont, they would average $94,046 and $90,340, respectively. While electrical engineers would only make an average of $90,134 in Alaska, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Washington
$96,650
Avg. Salary
2. Massachusetts
$94,046
Avg. Salary
3. Wyoming
$83,410
Avg. Salary
How Do Electrical Engineer Rate Their Jobs?
Top Electrical Engineer Employers
We've made finding a great employer to work for easy by doing the hard work for you. We looked into employers that employ electrical engineers and discovered their number of electrical engineer opportunities and average salary. Through our research, we concluded that Black & Veatch was the best, especially with an average salary of $72,683. Motorola Solutions follows up with an average salary of $76,325, and then comes Microsoft with an average of $119,271. In addition, we know most people would rather work from home. So instead of having to change careers, we identified the best employers for remote work as an electrical engineer. The employers include Science Applications International .., Jacobs Engineering Group, and Leidos
Electrical Engineer Videos
Electrical Engineer FAQs
Do electrical engineers get paid well?
Yes, electrical engineers get paid well. The US average annual salary for electrical engineers is $92,000. Starting salary can be between $60,000-$85,000. California, Texas, and New York employ the most electrical engineers, and median salaries are closer to $110,000.
Senior positions typically pay between $114,000 and $128,000. The highest-paid electrical engineers get paid upwards of $155,000. The US has been hiring more electrical engineers from overseas because the salary demands are typically lower.
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer?
It takes at least four years to become an electrical engineer. This title typically requires a bachelor's degree from a college or university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). You can study electrical engineering, electronics, or a related field.
Work entails a strong grasp of math, physics, computer design, and engineering software. A Professional Engineer License (PE) is another recommended qualification. Employers seek out candidates with a degree and practical experience.
Is electrical engineer a good career?
Yes, electrical engineer is a good career, but the overall job growth is slower in the US than in other fields due to a decrease in domestic manufacturing. Electrical engineers work in several industries. The most active sectors are government, telecommunications, and semiconductor manufacturing.
There is currently a shortage of electrical engineers who can design electrical systems for buildings and large complexes.
Electrical engineers are skilled professionals who work in fields related to electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics.
Robotics, cell phones, radars, and solar panels all function through electronic designs from electrical engineers. It's a practical and satisfying skill to have and allows you to understand how technology in everyday life works.
Is electrical engineer hard?
Yes, electrical engineering is hard because of the combination of math, physics, and abstract thinking involved. To acquire a job, you should have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. You will need to pass a series of exams to achieve the level of a professional electrical engineer.
As an electrical engineer, you will perform a variety of duties, including:
Designing products
Estimating costs and timelines for delivery
Collaborating with teams
Communicating with customers
Performing tests
Interpreting technical drawings and writing reports
Teams rely on your work as you design and test electronic equipment. Work may be in a lab or office setting, and you may have to visit facilities where products are installed or manufactured.
Electrical engineers have responsibilities and deadlines to meet and are expected to be problem solvers. You may be working in dangerous environments around live electrical equipment.
Is it hard to become an electrical engineer?
Yes, it is hard to become an electrical engineer because it's a competitive and demanding field. In high school, you must show an aptitude in math and physics. Bachelor programs at the top schools are very competitive, and the coursework for an engineering degree is challenging.
Homework assignments prepare you for the various problem-solving, testing, and design work you will do in your career. For four years, you will work hard towards certification as an electrical engineer.
If you enjoy the challenge and have made your way through to become a professional electrical engineer, the work itself can be satisfying and pay well.
What exactly does an electrical engineer do?
What electrical engineers do varies greatly. Some electrical engineers may choose to work in aerospace or electric cars, while others may be more interested in renewable power or wireless communication systems.
Electrical engineers are skilled professionals who work in fields related to electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics. Electrical engineers have a familiarity with circuit boards, processor chips, wireless frequencies, batteries, and other electronic equipment. This work can take place in offices, laboratories, mines, power plants, or factories. Electrical engineers may design, install and test avionics systems or work to improve autonomous cars.
The workday may include meetings with collaborators or customers, designing, installing, testing, or troubleshooting electrical systems. The workday may also involve spending time in front of the computer, or it may include fieldwork. Electrical engineers can also work in dangerous conditions with live electricity.