Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician

Salary Range	Jobs Available
$48,300 - $102,300	18,500+

What Do Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians Do?

Q: Where and when do these engineering technicians work?

Electrical and electronics engineering technicians work for engineering services companies, state or federal government agencies, manufacturers of semiconductors, medical equipment and navigational equipment. They typically work full-time. Hours may follow a standard workweek or may include night shifts, depending on production schedules.

Q: What skills and qualities would make someone a good fit for this job?

Successful engineering technicians tend to possess these traits: A keen eye for detail ObservantStrong communication skills, including writingExcel in a team atmosphereExcellent trouble-shooting skillsExcel at math and scienceStrong mechanical skills

Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help design, develop, test, manufacture and repair electrical or electronic equipment. They work under the supervision of an electrical engineer, and electronics engineer or a computer hardware engineer.

Electrical engineering technicians install and maintain electrical control systems and components that provide power. Their work may also include electronics engineering work.

Electronics engineering technicians troubleshoot and test circuitry and electronic components. They also build prototypes from plans.

Both types of engineering technicians set up and run tests on equipment, systems and products. Items include computers, medical monitoring equipment, navigational tools, communications systems or other electronic systems. However, these technicians — also called research electricians or product engineering technicians — usually specialize in one area.

These skilled technicians are needed in many work settings, from manufacturing to power-generation to the federal government. Their tasks can vary, depending on the employer.

Electrical and electronics engineering technicians serve as important connectors between two different worlds. They translate engineering concepts into hands-on production work.

If this sounds like an area where you could excel, keep reading to learn more.

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An electronics engineering technician tests a product in a lab for EMC compliance

Electronics engineering technicians use their knowledge of electronic theory, circuitry and test procedures to troubleshoot equipment. (Credit: Kzenon/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

Assemble electrical and electronic systems and prototypes
Read blueprints, schematic drawings and instructions
Design basic circuitry
Draw diagrams and write specifications
Perform equipment maintenance
Repair electrical instruments and electronic systems
Make coils, terminal boards and other parts using lathes, drills and other machine tools (electronics tech only)
Test and analyze results
Describe equipment failures or limitations accurately and in detail for engineers
Write reports and record data
Research equipment and component needs

Becoming an Electrical or Electronics Engineering Technician: FAQs

What is required to become an electrical or electronics engineering technician?

Most employers look for candidates who have earned an associate degree in electrical or electronics engineering technology. Other employers accept candidates who have equivalent experience learned in the military but may lack an associate degree.

Community colleges and technical schools offer certificate and degree programs that include courses on circuitry, programming languages, equipment testing, chemistry and physics.

Technical school offerings tend to be more hands-on. They often partner with local businesses to offer detailed, on-the-job training.

Certification for engineering technicians isn’t required, but it may open up new job opportunities and allow technicians to specialize. Several groups offer certification. For example, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers certification in electrical power testing.

Continuing education is a must to keep up with the changing technology.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Read How To Become an Electrical Engineering or Electronics Technician

Electrical engineering vs. electronics engineering: What’s the difference?

Electrical and electronics engineering are related and, in some cases, overlapping fields, but they differ in some key areas.

Electrical engineering covers power transmission and distribution through equipment, whether that’s a power-generating system for an electrical grid, a factory or a vehicle.

Electronics engineering is a subset of electrical engineering that focuses on electronics, such as cellphones or medical equipment.

The two disciplines often overlap, which is why engineering technicians from both disciplines often work on the same team.

Where and when do these engineering technicians work?

What skills and qualities would make someone a good fit for this job?

The bottom line:

These skilled careers fall into a category we’re familiar with at SkillPointe — engaging jobs that pay well but are relatively unknown. If you have good problem-solving skills and you like the idea of working on a team with other smart, solutions-oriented people, consider these careers. You may get the chance to work on or improve medical devices or computer systems or next-gen power grids for renewable energy. Sound interesting? Check out the training options near you, and get started on your next chapter.

Electrical and electronics engineering technician Tracy Wilson with a wrench

Why I became an engineering technician

Tracy Wilson didn’t turn to the trades until her mid-30s, but it didn’t take long for her to realize she was meant to be there all along.

The former housekeeper was raising two boys and trying to make ends meet when she looked into training.

“There was something about the electronics lab that grabbed my attention. I ended up signing up for classes that same day,” she says.

Now she’s an electronic engineering technician. “The way I see it, I’m getting paid to do what I love, and that right there is a huge win!” Find out more about why she loves her job.