What does a senior electronic engineer do?
A Senior Electronics Engineer is responsible for the directive development of communication systems, the field support design, equipment modifications, and technical issuances. This position demands knowledge in applied engineering principles to analyze and test electronic system performances or applications, technical documentation, producing engineering prototypes, and developing software. These professionals work with different equipment, from phones to PCs and even medical equipment or military systems. A Senior Electronics Engineer's tasks include checking the quality of the equipment they are using and ensuring that projects are cost-efficient, completed on time, and safe.
Senior electronic engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior electronic engineer resumes:
- Manage product lines through UL, CE and other safety and emissions requirements.
- Utilize system engineering to identify and achieve compliance for module/vehicle functionality, design direction, and EMC redesign support.
- Apply technical knowledge in electromagnetic theory and microwave technology to plan and manage projects concern with ground-base radar systems.
- Board designs include USB, SPI, I2C, RS232, SDI, CameraLink interfaces.
- Assist the senior engineer with circuit prototyping.
- Develop VHDL source code for test stations including test benches.
- Rout high speed traces on FPGA interface to DDR SDRAM memories.
- Add channels, memory, and Ethernet interfaces to existing logic.
- Design three communications interfaces in VHDL in three FPGAs for a missile target detector.
- Create EE lab, used quick-turn PCB tools to produce modular development foundation of designs.
- Coordinate the PCB design and manufacturing of the computer security protection- program's support module.
- Maintain the EMC and safety compliance certifications and licenses for the life of the product.
- Save $80k per project while improving product quality by creating an in-house EMI testing process.
- Add power sharing and protection circuitry and perform production validations to confirm design & win UL approval.
- Direct various subsystem and systems level design, prototyping, production, and testing of microwave systems.
Senior electronic engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Senior Electronic Engineers are proficient in Power Electronics, Analog, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Electronic Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Power Electronics, 9%
Design and Maintain Power electronics UAVs.
- Analog, 7%
Designed, developed, tested and analyzed high reliability analog and digital electronics for NASA Research & Development and spaceflight applications.
- C++, 6%
Design and implement the transfer protocol between PCI Express and Fiber and CAN Bus by C++.
- MATLAB, 5%
Skilled Analysis, MatLab Selection of COTS Products
- PCB, 4%
Designed test hardware and software for Fluid Management Injection system performing 100% functional test at PCB and Module levels.
- Firmware, 4%
Designed and developed firmware for embedded medical devices.
Most senior electronic engineers use their skills in "power electronics," "analog," and "c++" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior electronic engineer responsibilities here:
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior electronic 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 electronic 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 soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior electronic 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 a senior electronic engineer resume, here's how senior electronic engineers can utilize initiative in their job responsibilities: "administered cost and safety improvement program and field qa initiatives for transmission and distribution division. "
Interpersonal skills. senior electronic engineers are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior electronic engineer responsibilities, because "electrical and electronics engineers must work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly." A senior electronic engineer resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "recognized for excellent interpersonal and communication skills as recipient of multiple presidents club awards. "
Speaking skills. A big part of what senior electronic engineers do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to senior electronic 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 electronic engineer tasks: "presented and participated in customer design reviews. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for senior electronic engineer responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior electronic engineers all the time, 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." An excerpt from a real senior electronic engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior electronic engineer does: "automated test fixtures for 8 channels neurovascular by designing test hardware and writing software using labview and test stand. "
Math skills. Another skill commonly found on senior electronic engineer job descriptions is "math skills." It can come up quite often in senior electronic engineer duties, since "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day senior electronic engineer responsibilities: "provide mathcad overstress / failure analysis and corrective action requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most senior electronic engineers are:
- Masco52 senior electronic engineers jobs
- Lockheed Martin19 senior electronic engineers jobs
- Crestron Electronics
9 senior electronic engineers jobs
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Compare different senior electronic engineers
Senior electronic engineer 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior electronic engineer are more likely to require skills like "power electronics," "analog," "firmware," and "ac." On the other hand, a job as an engineering trainee requires skills like "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "r," and "boilers." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Engineering trainees earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $63,253. On the other hand, senior electronic engineers are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $106,024.The education levels that engineering trainees earn slightly differ from senior electronic engineers. In particular, engineering trainees are 4.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior electronic engineer. Additionally, they're 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior electronic 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior electronic engineer resumes. While senior electronic engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "c #," "matlab," "firmware," and "ac," hardware engineers use skills like "python," "cadence," "verilog," and "linux."
On average, hardware engineers earn a lower salary than senior electronic engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, hardware engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $106,285. Whereas senior electronic engineers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $106,024.In general, hardware engineers achieve similar levels of education than senior electronic engineers. They're 2.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior electronic 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.
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 electronic engineer resumes include skills like "analog," "firmware," "ac," and "circuit design," whereas an engineer is more likely to list skills in "python," "cloud," "aws," and "troubleshoot. "
Engineers earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $97,672. Comparatively, senior electronic engineers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $106,024.When it comes to education, engineers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to senior electronic engineers. In fact, they're 7.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior electronic engineer vs. Radio frequency engineer
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Types of senior electronic engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
