Electrical Engineers :: Job Description

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Electrical Engineers

Careers / Electrical Engineers

Summary Description


	Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Automation Engineer

2.	Cable Engineer

3.	Circuits Engineer

4.	Controls Engineer

5.	Design Engineer

6.	Distribution Engineer

7.	Distribution Field Engineer

8.	District Plant Engineer

9.	Division Engineer

10.	Division Plant Engineer

11.	Electrical Controls Engineer

12.	Electrical Design Engineer

13.	Electrical Designer

14.	Electrical Electronics Engineer

15.	Electrical Engineer

16.	Electrical Integrator

17.	Electrical Products Engineer

18.	Electrical Project Engineer

19.	Electrical Prospecting Engineer

20.	Electrical Research Engineer

21.	Electrical Test Engineer

22.	Electrolysis and Corrosion Control Engineer

23.	Electrolysis Engineer

24.	Electrolysis Investigator

25.	Engineer of System Development

26.	Facilities Engineer

27.	Failure Analysis Technician

28.	Field Engineer

29.	Geothermal Electrical Engineer

30.	Hardware Design Engineer

31.	Hydroelectric Plant Electrical Engineer

32.	Illuminating Engineer

33.	Induction Coordination Engineer

34.	Induction Coordination Power Engineer

35.	Instrumentation and Electrical Reliability Engineer (I&E Reliability Engineer)

36.	Instrumentation Engineer

37.	Laser Engineer

38.	Lighting Engineer

39.	Line Construction Engineer

40.	Meter Engineer

41.	Microwave Supervisor

42.	Outside Plant Engineer

43.	Photovoltaic Power Systems Engineer (PV Power Systems Engineer)

44.	Photovoltaic Solar Cell Designer (PV Solar Cell Designer)

45.	Plant Engineer

46.	Power Distribution Engineer

47.	Power Generation Engineer

48.	Power System Electrical Engineer

49.	Power Systems Engineer

50.	Power Transmission Engineer

51.	Project Engineer

52.	Protection Engineer

53.	Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer)

54.	Relay Engineer

55.	Results Engineer

56.	Rural Electrification Engineer

57.	Service Engineer

58.	Smart Grid Engineer

59.	Solar Designer

60.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

61.	Systems Engineer

62.	Telecommunication Engineer

63.	Telephone Engineer

64.	Test Engineer

65.	Testing Engineer

66.	Traffic Engineer

67.	Traffic Routing Engineer

68.	Transmission Engineer

69.	Utility Engineer

70.	Wind Farm Electrical Systems Designer

71.	Wind Turbine Electrical Engineer

72.	Wire Communications Engineer

Job Tasks

	Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks. Operate computer systems.

	Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements. Create electrical schematics.

	Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans. Discuss designs or plans with clients.

	Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes. Design structures or facilities. Design electrical equipment or systems. Maintain electronic equipment.

	Conduct field surveys or study maps, graphs, diagrams, or other data to identify and correct power system problems. Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features.

	Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements. Direct construction activities. Direct installation activities. Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.

	Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects. Prepare operational reports.

	Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems. Investigate system, equipment, or product failures.

	Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications. Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.

	Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget. Direct industrial production activities.

	Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards. Inspect operational processes.

	Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects. Devise research or testing protocols.

	Design electrical systems or components that minimize electric energy requirements, such as lighting systems designed to account for natural lighting. Design energy-efficient equipment or systems.

	Plan layout of electric power generating plants or distribution lines or stations. Design energy production or management equipment or systems.

	Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment. Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.

	Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment or major repairs. Design electrical equipment or systems.

	Estimate labor, material, or construction costs for budget preparation purposes. Estimate operational costs. Prepare project budgets.

	Supervise or train project team members as necessary. Train personnel on proper operational procedures. Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

	Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products. Test products for functionality or quality.

	Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.

	Develop systems that produce electricity using renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or biofuels. Design alternative energy systems.

	Integrate electrical systems with renewable energy systems to improve overall efficiency. Design energy-efficient equipment or systems.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Electrical and Electronics Engineers
	Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPSs).

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Electrical and Electronics Engineers
	Electrical and electronics engineers work in industries including research-and development, engineering services, manufacturing, telecommunications, and the federal government. Electrical and electronics engineers generally work indoors in offices. However, they may have to visit sites to observe a problem or a piece of complex equipment.

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