Photo: U.S. Air Force AFRL by Keith C Lewis (Public domain)
Job description
The work involves using computer-assisted design software to build out components, then evaluating projects for technical soundness and compatibility as problems come up. Engineers regularly confer with other engineers, customers, and vendors to talk through a project's direction, and often end up recommending repairs or redesigns based on real-world factors like cost, environment, or system performance. It's a desk-based, independent-judgment-heavy role, and among the higher-paying options in this batch, reflecting the specialized technical knowledge required.
Pros
- Strong pay from entry level onward, with a ceiling above $206k
- Faster than average growth (6.2%) across commercial, industrial, and defense applications
- High autonomy, with significant independent judgment expected day to day
Cons
- Above-average hours on top of demanding technical design and testing work
- Only about 5,700 jobs nationwide, a moderately concentrated field
- Complex, highly technical circuit and systems design requires deep specialized expertise
A typical day
Morning starts at a lab bench, probing a prototype circuit board with an oscilloscope to find out why a signal is distorting at high frequencies. Late morning is design time in CAD and simulation software, tweaking a filter layout and re-running the model until the numbers behave. After lunch there is a design review with the mechanical and firmware teams, where everyone argues over board space and heat. The last stretch goes to documenting test results and writing the change order that sends a revised board off for fabrication.
Tasks at the job
- Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
- Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
- Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
- Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities.
- Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting, and most of the day is spent sitting at a desk.
You're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day.
Education necessary or common
Bachelor's degree
Common college majors
Licenses & certifications
- FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam after college
- PE license for public-facing engineering work
- IPC soldering/assembly certifications for hands-on roles
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism — the direct foundation of circuit theory
- AP Calculus BC — the math language every EE course is written in
- AP Computer Science A — modern electronics is inseparable from code
- Honors Chemistry — semiconductor materials start here
- Digital Electronics (PLTW) — hands-on logic and circuit design in high school
Clubs, activities & competitions
- FIRST Robotics Competition — real electronics design under deadline pressure
- Amateur (ham) radio club and licensing — RF fundamentals colleges notice
- Science Olympiad (Circuit Lab event) — tests exactly this material
- TSA (Technology Student Association) competitions
First steps you can take now
- Buy an Arduino starter kit and build five projects from the official tutorials
- Get your FCC Technician-class ham radio license — the exam is study-able in a month
- Watch an EE lab tour on a college visit and ask what freshmen actually build
- Take a free intro circuits course on Khan Academy or MIT OpenCourseWare
