What does an electrical systems engineer do?
Electrical Systems Engineers have licensed engineers who are usually employed in companies involved in power generating machines and activities. These companies are usually providers for buildings, train systems, and automobiles, among others. The engineer designs power lines and machinations to generate power. They ensure that power is properly distributed throughout the system. They identify risks involving short circuits and the like. They would then look for ways to mitigate these risks and apply the necessary controls. Electrical Systems Engineers should have strong analytical skills and quick decision-making skills.
Electrical systems engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical systems engineer resumes:
- Lead RF characterization efforts of implantable medical device in order to determine safety limit.
- Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
- Generate FEA analyses for major system components and heavy-use parts.
- Radio testing are done to assure both performance measurements, EMI & EMC meet spec.
- Provide guidelines for CE certification update and compliance [CE, UL, CSA, and TUV].
- Install and troubleshoot systems wiring according to technical drawing package.
- Provide solutions to improve EMC, ESD and EFT performance.
- Work on design schematics, software packaging, and PCB layouts.
- Design new features, and oversee and conduct product testing and PCB layout.
- Power distribution and discrete power thermal control FPGA (Actel) design base on [] specification.
- Make frequent visits to Chicago, Paris, and other remote sites for PMR TCM PDR EMI validations etc.
- Prevent loss time for software testing by debugging complex hardware simulator issues that heavily use FPGA and microcontroller processors.
- Analyze project requirements of HVAC equipment to select suitable HVAC products for proper operation according to specify design requirements.
- Create interface libraries for multiple platforms using object orient development, object orient Perl best practices, and Java.
- Modele numerous electrical schematics to NEC standards.
Electrical systems engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Electrical Systems Engineers are proficient in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Systems, and System Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Electrical Systems Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Electrical Engineering, 15%
Provide electrical engineering with experience in mission critical control data center electrical infrastructure, critical system support and facility power systems.
- Electrical Systems, 10%
Zero findings in self-maintained safety program during 2002 Pacific Air Force Electrical Systems Safety Inspection
- System Design, 5%
Developed the specifications, interface control documentation, electronic subsystem design, and interconnection between modules.
- C++, 4%
Design and developed software program to performed automated testing, language: HpVee and C, C++.
- Autocad, 3%
Assisted in the electrical design and generated drawings utilizing AutoCAD.
- CAD, 3%
Collaborate with CAD software developers to implement design protocols.
Common skills that an electrical systems engineer uses to do their job include "electrical engineering," "electrical systems," and "system design." You can find details on the most important electrical systems engineer responsibilities below.
Concentration. The most essential soft skill for an electrical systems engineer to carry out their responsibilities is concentration. This skill is important for the role because "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Additionally, an electrical systems engineer resume shows how their duties depend on concentration: "designed system monitor systems using abb plc's and including data concentration and climatecontrols. "
Initiative. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling electrical systems engineer duties is initiative. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." According to an electrical systems engineer resume, here's how electrical systems engineers can utilize initiative in their job responsibilities: "contract position that developed and maintained machine electrical systems to support the different forest products, and variable margin improvement initiatives. "
Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of electrical systems engineers is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday electrical systems engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed and presented briefings for major project reviews and weekly status meetings to company and customer project management. "
Writing skills. For certain electrical systems engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of an electrical systems engineer rely on this skill, as "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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what electrical systems engineers do: "assisted in writing the system integration test (sit) procedures (lab sit and a/c ground sit). "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in electrical systems engineer job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what electrical systems engineers do. Electrical systems engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." You can also see how electrical systems engineer duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "authored tool in mathcad to calculate lifetime of a lithium-polymer battery cell given a non-linear system load based on ieee research. "
The three companies that hire the most electrical systems engineers are:
- Raymond68 electrical systems engineers jobs
- Sargent & Lundy18 electrical systems engineers jobs
- Burns & McDonnell16 electrical systems engineers jobs
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Compare different electrical systems engineers
Electrical systems engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrical systems engineer are more likely to require skills like "electrical engineering," "system design," "autocad," and "dod." On the other hand, a job as an engineer requires skills like "python," "cloud," "c #," and "aws." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $97,672. On the other hand, electrical systems engineers are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $91,059.engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than electrical systems engineers. In fact, engineers are 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Electrical systems 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, electrical systems engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "electrical engineering," "system design," "autocad," and "cad." Meanwhile, a junior engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "java," "c #," "windows," and "linux." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Junior engineers earn a lower average salary than electrical systems engineers. But junior engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,489. Additionally, electrical systems engineers earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $91,059 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Junior engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than electrical systems engineers. In fact, they're 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical systems engineer vs. Field engineer
A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely. It is also the task of a field engineer to oversee the workflow and workforce, giving directions and recommendations when necessary. Furthermore, a field engineer must develop strategies and plans to improve the site's efficiency, produce progress reports, and coordinate with other workers.
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 systems engineer is likely to be skilled in "electrical engineering," "electrical systems," "system design," and "c++," while a typical field engineer is skilled in "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "azure," and "test equipment."
Field engineers earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $83,650. Electrical systems engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $91,059.field engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to electrical systems engineers. Specifically, they're 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical systems engineer vs. Senior engineer
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
Types of electrical systems engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
