Electronics engineer
You'll design and develop energy-efficient electronics. One day you could work on a wind turbine and the next, you could create a mobile phone from recycled materials.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£538
Entry level
£1,154
Experienced
Monthly
£2,333
Entry level
£5,000
Experienced
Yearly
£28,000
Entry level
£60,000
Experienced
5,100
people are currently employed
High growth
200 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You'd design and develop the electronic components used in a huge variety of equipment, from mobile phones and computers to aircraft navigation systems.
You could work in a wide range of industries, for example:
telecommunications - mobile phones, radio, TV and satellite communications
datacommunications - computers, tablets and ‘hole-in-the-wall’ cash machines (ATMs)
scientific research - acoustics, optics, physics and nanotechnology
medical instruments - clinical and laboratory equipment
military - communications, navigation and weapons systems
aerospace – avionics, radar, navigation and communication systems
manufacturing - programmable logic controls (PLCs) and industrial machinery
You’d do research and come up with ideas for improving the electronic equipment or systems. Then you’d work with a team to create the new component and test how well it works.
You would:
assess new ideas to see if they are workable
prepare technical plans using computer-aided engineering and design software
estimate the costs of labour and production for a project
estimate timescales for a project
coordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople
test prototypes and analyse data
make sure that projects meet safety regulations
plan and oversee inspection and maintenance schedules
You'd often work on a project with a team of engineers, technicians and information technology (IT) staff.
Green job
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You could:
design and install ways to power systems and devices that currently rely on fossil fuels
working on the electronics needed for renewable energy such as solar power
Hours
Environment
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- analysing
- making decisions
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- written communication
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Design and Manufacture
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Engineering Science
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Mathematics
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Physics
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Practical Craft Skills
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Practical Electronics
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Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
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Applications of Mathematics
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You would need qualifications at SCQF Levels 4 to 6: a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7), a Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8), a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11) in:
Electrical or Electronics Engineering
Applied Physics
Aeronautical Engineering
Software Engineering
Nanotechnologies
Maths
Computer Science
Alternatively you might enter a Modern Apprenticeship and gain relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Electrical Engineering (SVQ Level 3).
Entry to Electrical and Electronics Engineering degrees (SCQF Level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and Highers at BBBC or above.
Integrated masters qualifications such as an MEng can also be studied at university. These courses incorporate more independent research and will give you a greater knowledge and understanding of Electrical Engineering Science.
They could also prepare you for further postgraduate study such as a PhD or EngD.
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF Level 5) could also be useful.
Employers value work experience so finding courses with work placements or an internship, or working for a year in industry can be especially useful.
It could benefit your career if you worked towards incorporated or chartered status, to do this you would register with a relevant industry body, for example the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and apply to the Engineering Council.
You'll normally need normal colour vision for this type of work.
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