How To Become A Signal Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a signal engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Fred Garber Ph.D.

Signal engineers need years of experience, and commitment is the oldest and most rigorous communication branches. The life of a signal processing engineer consists of collecting and processing the signal information. Signal engineers work with numerous types of analytical instruments, complicated hand equations, and large structures called filters. They are expected to have not only a deep understanding of various phenomena behavior but also architect their own algorithms.

Signals are used efficiently by the implementation of crisp algorithms with succinct steps and real-time outputs. Signal engineers create appropriate steps and build machine processors. They also must be careful in planning and manufacturing device for signal simulations. In addition, signal engineers must know software programs that can contain and extract appropriate algorithms.

To become a signal engineer, a bachelor's degree that focuses on communications engineer, mathematics, or any related field is needed. Candidate can also complete courses in the field of electronics or instrumental engineering which offers programs on signal processing. It is also necessary to have knowledge in integral and differential calculus and geometry.

What general advice would you give to a signal engineer?

Fred Garber Ph.D.

Professor, Electrical Engineering, Wright State University

I think the primary question, in the minds of those who are yet to graduate or are still searching, is in regard to the strength of the technical job market, especially the local job market. But you are in a position to definitively answer that question.

In you article, I would ask that you address the following:
Number of employers looking to fill and number of job offerings in the region (by engineering and computer science major) compared to last year and to the previous five years.

Any noticeable differences in job descriptions Zippia is receiving relative to work environment, benefits, starting salaries, etc.

Many of our soon-to-graduate students would be very interested in these quantitative and qualitative comparisons. Additionally, vast numbers of potential students would benefit from such information to guide their career choices.

ScoreSignal EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.9

Avg. Salary $87,939

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 18.83%

Black or African American 4.69%

Hispanic or Latino 10.76%

Unknown 4.68%

White 60.86%

Gender

female 6.38%

male 93.62%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a signal engineer

Explore signal engineer education requirements

Most common signal engineer degrees

Bachelor's

75.9 %

Master's

8.6 %

Associate

8.6 %

Start to develop specific signal engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Field Testing	8.56%
Control Systems	8.02%
Project Management	7.64%
Autocad	6.82%
MATLAB	6.42%

Complete relevant signal engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New signal engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a signal engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real signal engineer resumes.

Research signal engineer duties and responsibilities

Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
Develop and debug RTL for MIPI controller in RF front end applications.
Carry out layout of CMOS mixed-signal circuits used in PCI-Express and SERDES products.
Define and implement AutoCAD requirements to meet the client's design standards.

Apply for signal engineer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a signal engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams