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What does an Electrical Engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Dr. Harvey Hoffman
What does an Electrical Engineer do

Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.

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Electrical engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical engineer resumes:

  • Achieve rugged secure extension of HMI modules with USB host and device auto switching capability.
  • Achieve low cost solution for professional tier radio with rug full color display and USB accessory interface.
  • Accomplish intelligent remote terminal unit (RTU) automatic control with graphical liquid crystal display (LCD).
  • Develop LabVIEW code to automate test procedures and to communicate with units for verification of functionality and accuracy.
  • Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
  • Provide engineering design CADD and REVIT support for the Ellerbe Becket electrical department.
  • Utilize AutoCAD and Revit MEP software in the design of systems and to produce construction documents.
  • Design and develop revolutionary motion control profile using python, and implementing the motion to PLC.
  • Create the design for company standards incorporating standards used in NFPA 70E, NEC, IEEE and UL508A.
  • Develop an innovative control hardware architecture utilizing standard pc-base hardware and specialize FPGA PCIe hardware for timing and I/O control.
  • Support with electronics used to control logic processes and machinery (HMI systems, PLC's, motor drives etc . )
  • Design in AutoCAD, install and troubleshot electrical and control systems for pharmaceutical process equipment.
  • Help customers with electrical and plumbing needs.
  • Work with IEC 61010-1 for laboratory equipment.
  • Be able to sketch own designs using SolidWorks suite of products.

Electrical engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Electrical Engineers are proficient in Autocad, Electrical Systems, and UL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Math skills.

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

  • Autocad, 6%

    Design Electrical Systems predominantly for building construction projects including power distribution systems, lighting, and other signal systems using AutoCAD.

  • Electrical Systems, 6%

    Developed budgets, schedules, engineering analyses, preliminary designs and obtain resources for the design and installation/construction of electrical systems.

  • UL, 4%

    Designed and inspected high power switching industrial panels for UL certification and commercial installations.

  • Electrical Design, 4%

    Determined electrical design characteristics utilizing knowledge of analog, digital, power theory, and electrical architecture within schedule constraints.

  • CAD, 4%

    Determined and documented proper procedures for importing and exporting printed wiring design databases between several company CAD systems.

  • C++, 4%

    Produce advertising commercial billboards controlled by a microprocessor (C++ programming heavily involved).

"autocad," "electrical systems," and "ul" are among the most common skills that electrical engineers use at work. You can find even more electrical engineer responsibilities below, including:

Concentration. One of the key soft skills for an electrical engineer to have is concentration. You can see how this relates to what electrical engineers do because "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Additionally, an electrical engineer resume shows how electrical engineers use concentration: "designed system monitor systems using abb plc's and including data concentration and climatecontrols. "

Initiative. Another essential skill to perform electrical engineer duties is initiative. Electrical engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Electrical engineers also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "develop cost reduction strategies through innovation in system designs and engineering, applying value engineering, constructability and task analysis initiatives. "

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of electrical engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday electrical engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "circuit design simulation performed using multisim and mathcad. "

Speaking skills. For certain electrical engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of an electrical engineer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what electrical engineers do: "designed storage ladder using autocad to create drawings and presented to management. "

Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in electrical engineer job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what electrical engineers do. Electrical engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "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." You can also see how electrical engineer duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "circuit design for environmental monitoring system c programming technical writing quality assurance environmental testing"

All electrical engineer skills

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Compare different electrical engineers

Electrical engineer vs. Senior field engineer

A senior field engineer is in charge of overseeing and providing technical support on-site, helping operations run smoothly and efficiently. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, performing research and analysis, managing staff, producing progress reports, and conducting inspections, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on equipment, performing corrective repairs and adjustments when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior field engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while implementing the site's safety policies and regulations.

We looked at the average electrical engineer salary and compared it with the wages of a senior field engineer. Generally speaking, senior field engineers are paid $16,078 higher than electrical engineers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both electrical engineer and senior field engineer positions are skilled in autocad, rf, and project management.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, electrical engineer responsibilities require skills like "electrical systems," "ul," "electrical design," and "cad." Meanwhile a typical senior field engineer has skills in areas such as "technical problems," "linux," "dod," and "computer system." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Senior field engineers really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $107,400. Comparatively, electrical engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,871.senior field engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than electrical engineers. In fact, senior field engineers are 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical engineer vs. System design engineer

A system design engineer is an individual who participates in system design engineering and resolves manufacturing and service problems. System design engineers are required to collaborate with the system design team to research emerging technologies and develop new capabilities. They create design layouts by utilizing the use of CAD software such as AutoCad as well as supervise a group of CAD technicians. System design engineers must also provide customer service in the field and deliver individualized problem solving and system design support

On average, system design engineers earn a $26,678 higher salary than electrical engineers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both electrical engineers and system design engineers have skills such as "electrical systems," "cad," and "c++. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, electrical engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autocad," "ul," "electrical design," and "electrical equipment." Meanwhile, a system design engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "architecture," "mechanical systems," "gd," and "solidworks." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

System design engineers earn a higher average salary than electrical engineers. But system design engineers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $116,222. Additionally, electrical engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $86,871 annually.system design engineers earn similar levels of education than electrical engineers in general. They're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Electrical Engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Harvey Hoffman

Associate Dean of Engineering, Fairfield University

The significant fields in electrical engineering include electronics, microelectronics, signal processing, power, telecommunications, instrumentation, medical devices, imaging, automotive, Internet of Things, information technology, manufacturing, and transportation.

Electrical engineers are in a unique position to influence the climate change landscape, from solar power to creating small, inexpensive and efficient devices to light the world. Electrical engineers are exploring ways to convert energy from natural sources to the grid, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In every field, nanotechnology is being used for innovations. The universe of technology blending will continue to integrate engineering, science, and medicine. Bionic devices will become commonplace. Enormous challenges and opportunities exist. Disruptive fusion technologies will change business and society in unimaginable ways.

Electrical engineer vs. Hardware engineer

Hardware engineers or computer hardware engineers are responsible for developing, designing, and examining computer hardware. They help speed up new computer technology by creating enhancements in computer hardware. The hardware engineers oversee the installation of parts, manufacturing, and production. Also, they examine intricate equipment to identify an effective way to improve it as well as design devices used in manufactured products. Another responsibility is to ensure computer hardware units work with the newest software, which often requires collaboration with other software engineers.

An average hardware engineer eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of electrical engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to hardware engineers earning a $23,886 higher average salary than electrical engineers.electrical engineers and hardware engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "autocad," "ul," and "cad," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an electrical engineer is likely to be skilled in "electrical systems," "electrical design," "control systems," and "electrical equipment," while a typical hardware engineer is skilled in "python," "cadence," "verilog," and "linux."

Hardware engineers earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $106,285. Comparatively, electrical engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,871.hardware engineers typically earn higher educational levels compared to electrical engineers. Specifically, they're 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical engineer vs. Junior engineer

A Junior Engineer helps design, build, or maintain engines, machines, or public works. They work under the supervision of an engineer.

Junior engineers typically earn lower pay than electrical engineers. On average, junior engineers earn a $10,373 lower salary per year.According to resumes from electrical engineers and junior engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "electrical systems," "c++," and "control systems. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between electrical engineers and junior engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an electrical engineer might have more use for skills like "autocad," "ul," "electrical design," and "cad." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of junior engineers require skills like "c #," "windows," "linux," and "amazon web services. "

Junior engineers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,489. For comparison, electrical engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.junior engineers reach similar levels of education compared to electrical engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of electrical engineer

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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