What does a senior electrical engineer do?

A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Senior electrical engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior electrical engineer resumes:
- Develop LabVIEW code to automate test procedures and to communicate with units for verification of functionality and accuracy.
- Design of water/waste water facilities, including microprocessor controls, MCC, SCADA.
- Develop the motor control algorithms and analog processing for sensing position using motor current feedback.
- Train crews how to retrofit 2x4 fixtures.
- Perform dc battery calculations and 2D design of system.
- Have installed some electrical panel board according to NFPA standards.
- Perform several electrical system studies using SKM and ETAP engineering software.
- Integrate MATLAB create beam-forming algorithms into GUI panel using NI LabVIEW.
- Follow up ISO adherence and preparing for internal and external ISO audits.
- Perform Var/Voltage control calculations on solar PV plant projects using SKM load flow analysis.
- Integrate DSP block with board support package utilizing high speed SRIO, PCI-E and AXI interfaces.
- Review and mark up of vendor prints for 13.8kV switchgear , 125V dc battery system and transformers.
- Work on the development of DSP algorithms for a linearize (PDP) spot beam satellite transmitter.
- Inspect and assess systems to identify inefficiencies, hazards and code violations (NFPA, OSHA, etc . )
- Used NEC to design, engineer & supervise the construction of various capital projects by inside staff & outside contractors.
Senior electrical engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 5% of Senior Electrical Engineers are proficient in Control Systems, Electrical Equipment, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Electrical Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Control Systems, 5%
Specialized in designing and implementing automated control systems to improve efficiency and enhance production capability within a continuous process manufacturing environment.
- Electrical Equipment, 5%
Developed layout drawings for hazardous locations; designed and implemented procedures for installation and maintenance of electrical equipment in these locations.
- Electrical Systems, 4%
Utilized NEC code experience in design of electrical systems and coordinating with electrical inspectors for fast track projects requiring engineering expertise.
- Analog, 4%
Directed the design/modification of Digital and Analog computer circuits, handling any design problems that appeared and required systems research.
- RF, 4%
Designed and developed new RF coil structures based on application requirements and implemented new technological developments with engineering team.
- Electrical Design, 4%
Developed the concept narrative, conducted centralized and distributed essential electrical system distribution study, leading the electrical design effort.
Common skills that a senior electrical engineer uses to do their job include "control systems," "electrical equipment," and "electrical systems." You can find details on the most important senior electrical engineer responsibilities below.
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior electrical engineer to have is concentration. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Senior electrical engineers often use concentration in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "designed system monitor systems using abb plc's and including data concentration and climatecontrols. "
Initiative. Another essential skill to perform senior electrical engineer duties is initiative. Senior electrical engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Senior electrical engineers also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "project management for femto equipment, products operational excellence initiatives in the manufacturing operations distribution and logistics department. "
Math skills. senior electrical engineers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior electrical engineer responsibilities, because "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." A senior electrical engineer resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "experience using ms office: word, excel, project, power point, mathcad, matlab, mathematica, visio. "
Speaking skills. A big part of what senior electrical engineers do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to senior electrical engineer responsibilities because "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior electrical engineer tasks: "worked with the power, thermal, mechanical and emc teams to ensure their concerns were addressed within the project. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a senior electrical engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what senior electrical engineers relies on this skill, since "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." How this skill relates to senior electrical engineer duties can be seen in an example from a senior electrical engineer resume snippet: "implemented architecture, schematic capture, mechanical engineering, pcb design, and the writing of engineering and manufacturing test procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most senior electrical engineers are:
- Burns & McDonnell154 senior electrical engineers jobs
- Honeywell86 senior electrical engineers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies71 senior electrical engineers jobs
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Senior electrical 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 a senior electrical engineer are more likely to require skills like "electrical equipment," "analog," "electrical design," and "autocad." 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 tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,672. In contrast, senior electrical engineers make the biggest average salary, $106,176, in the technology industry.On average, engineers reach similar levels of education than senior electrical engineers. Engineers are 4.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior electrical engineer 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior electrical engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "electrical equipment," "electrical systems," "analog," and "rf." Meanwhile, a control systems engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "simulink," "troubleshoot," "allen-bradley," and "control system design." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Control systems engineers earn a lower average salary than senior electrical engineers. But control systems engineers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $92,020. Additionally, senior electrical engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $106,176 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Control systems engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior electrical engineers. In fact, they're 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior electrical engineer vs. Design engineer
A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs. A design engineer also provides recommendations on improving existing systems to boost its performance and increase efficiency. Design engineers must have an excellent command of computer systems, programming codes, and technical data to ensure the system's stability and high-quality processes. A design engineer should also have strong analytical and time-management skills to perform tasks and meet deadlines.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior electrical engineer resumes include skills like "control systems," "electrical equipment," "electrical systems," and "analog," whereas a design engineer is more likely to list skills in "work ethic," "product design," "auto cad," and "ip. "
Design engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $86,213. Senior electrical engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $106,176.design engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior electrical engineers. Specifically, they're 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior electrical 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.
Types of senior electrical engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











