What does a staff electrical engineer do?
A staff electrical engineer specializes in designing and developing electrical systems and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include understanding the project's needs, conducting research and analysis, creating prototypes and test structures, performing installations and adjustments, resolving and repairing issues, and developing strategies to enhance existing systems. They must also perform regular maintenance checks to maintain a safe and efficient work environment. Moreover, a staff electrical engineer may train junior engineers while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Staff electrical engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real staff electrical engineer resumes:
- Accomplish intelligent remote terminal unit (RTU) automatic control with graphical liquid crystal display (LCD).
- Design and build RF/DC operational burn-in test interface for MRFDL subassemblies using Autocad and Orcad.
- List and/or certify generators to the appropriate UL, CSA NEMA, IEEE or IEC standards.
- Perform verification of part of main FPGA code which implements PCI / message router / Ethernet interface.
- Develop test methods and train personnel on testing and troubleshooting power supplies, PCB assemblies & test equipment.
- Perform root-cause analysis for EMC failures.
- Implement changes of engineering drawings using AutoCAD.
- Create circuit boards from component selection to schematic capture using OrCAD tool.
- Create a GUI in MATLAB for processing calibration files in a production environment.
- Diagnose EMI noise sources and noise coupling in system PCBA's, cables and drivers.
- Implement the code so that it can meet timing at full speed in a small FPGA.
- Implement design improvements for ESD and EMC/EMI and compliance with all require UL and IEC standards.
- Create user guides on the product line for the GPS tracking hardware and local Rf slave units.
- Design RF receiver: low noise amplifier (LNA), mixer, oscillator, filters and impedance matching.
- Authore EMI mitigation manual internal publication.
Staff electrical engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Staff Electrical Engineers are proficient in Electrical Engineering, Analog, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Staff Electrical Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Electrical Engineering, 16%
Functioned as Department Electrical Engineering Manager and directed activities of 15 engineers and 7 electronics technicians during absences of manager.
- Analog, 5%
Designed space qualified mixed signal boards and analog control and interface electronics.
- Electrical Systems, 4%
Participated in design, specifying and construction administration of electrical systems for municipal, industrial and commercial projects.
- PCB, 4%
Led development and implementation of Modular Design & Reuse training, including reusable PCB Editor Layout modules.
- C++, 4%
Diagnosed and solved hardware and software problems and debugging C++ on the system.
- RF, 4%
Designed RF receiver front end: LNA, mixer, local oscillator (LO), filters and impedance matching.
"electrical engineering," "analog," and "electrical systems" are among the most common skills that staff electrical engineers use at work. You can find even more staff electrical engineer responsibilities below, including:
Concentration. One of the key soft skills for a staff electrical engineer to have is concentration. You can see how this relates to what staff electrical engineers do because "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Additionally, a staff electrical engineer resume shows how staff electrical engineers use concentration: "designed system monitor systems using abb plc's and including data concentration and climatecontrols. "
Initiative. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling staff electrical 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 staff electrical engineer resume, here's how staff electrical 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. "
Math skills. staff electrical engineers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to staff 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 staff electrical engineer resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "design responsibilities included detailed mathematical analysis using matlab as well as circuit simulation using pspice. "
Speaking skills. staff electrical engineer responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This resume example shows what staff electrical engineers do with speaking skills on a typical day: "represented emerson/leroy somer on ul 1004 standard technical panel. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for staff electrical engineer responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of staff electrical 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 staff electrical engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a staff electrical engineer does: "project work includes site surveys, cad-based design,specification writing, shop drawing reviews, and startup inspections. "
The three companies that hire the most staff electrical engineers are:
- Burns & McDonnell119 staff electrical engineers jobs
- Danaher40 staff electrical engineers jobs
- Northrop Grumman12 staff electrical engineers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable staff electrical engineer resume templates
Build a professional staff electrical engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your staff electrical engineer resume.Compare different staff electrical engineers
Staff 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between staff electrical engineers and engineer. For instance, staff electrical engineer responsibilities require skills such as "electrical engineering," "analog," "electrical design," and "fpga." Whereas a engineer is skilled in "python," "cloud," "c #," and "aws." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. Comparatively, staff electrical engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $121,862.The education levels that engineers earn slightly differ from staff electrical engineers. In particular, engineers are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a staff electrical engineer. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Staff 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real staff electrical engineer resumes. While staff electrical engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "electrical engineering," "analog," "electrical design," and "power electronics," junior engineers use skills like "java," "c #," "troubleshoot," and "linux."
On average, junior engineers earn a lower salary than staff electrical engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, junior engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $72,489. Whereas staff electrical engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $121,862.In general, junior engineers achieve lower levels of education than staff electrical engineers. They're 8.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for staff electrical engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Staff 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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from staff electrical engineer resumes include skills like "electrical engineering," "analog," "electrical systems," and "pcb," whereas a field engineer is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "azure," and "osha. "
Field engineers earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $83,650. Staff electrical engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $121,862.field engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to staff electrical engineers. Specifically, they're 11.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Staff 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between staff electrical engineers and hardware engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a staff electrical engineer might have more use for skills like "electrical engineering," "electrical systems," "electrical design," and "fpga." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of hardware engineers require skills like "python," "cadence," "verilog," and "linux. "
Hardware engineers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $106,285. For comparison, staff electrical engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.hardware engineers reach similar levels of education compared to staff electrical engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of staff electrical engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











