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What does a staff electrical engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Andrea Welker Ph.D.

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.

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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. "

See the full list of staff electrical engineer skills

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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.

The annual salary of engineers is $20,148 lower than the average salary of staff electrical engineers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between staff electrical engineers and engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like electrical systems, pcb, and c++.

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.

Junior engineer positions earn lower pay than staff electrical engineer roles. They earn a $41,572 lower salary than staff electrical engineers per year.A few skills overlap for staff electrical engineers and junior engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "electrical systems," "pcb," and "c++. "

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?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.Andrea Welker Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Virtual/augmented reality will play an increasingly important role in visualizing designs and interacting with them.

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.

An average field engineer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of staff electrical engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to field engineers earning a $40,351 lower average salary than staff electrical engineers.Using the responsibilities included on staff electrical engineers and field engineers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "rf," "power electronics," and "cad.rdquo;

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.

Hardware engineers typically earn lower pay than staff electrical engineers. On average, hardware engineers earn a $7,313 lower salary per year.While both staff electrical engineers and hardware engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like analog, pcb, and c++, the two careers vary in some skills.

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

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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