What is an Electrical Engineer?
Electrical engineering is one of the newer disciplines of engineering with its roots dating back to the late 1800s when electricity came to light. The birth of ‘Electronics’ came with the conception of the thermionic valve vacuum tube ca. 1904. This revolutionary technology was discovered by John Ambrose Fleming and it laid the groundwork for the future of all electronics including T.V., radar technology, and radios until about 1950!
If you are an Electrical Engineer then you will be involved in several different projects. In the space jobs field, you might look forward to working on robots, cellular technology, radar, lighting, and all-important navigational systems.
Electrical engineering has evolved a lot since the late 19th century which means a lot more engineers rely on computers to help them do their job to the best of their ability. Using CAD (computer-aided design) systems to create various schematics is commonplace in the electrical engineering sector today. Computers can be helpful with all aspects of the job from the laying out of circuits to simulating and testing the systems before putting them into action.
Electrical engineers work all over the world in virtually every sector that exists but most importantly - the necessary skills and qualifications will vary depending on where you want to work. In one job, you might be expected to have a simple understanding of basic circuit theory. In another, you might be expected to have a lot of experience with project management. Also, the equipment you will be working with can vary wildly depending on the industry.
What responsibilities does an Electrical Engineer have?
Electrical engineering is a highly-varied career and the responsibilities and duties will depend on the position that you take - that being said, some common responsibilities include:
- Evaluation of electrical systems, components, apps, and products
- Conceptualizing and leading research programs
- Designing testing methods and confirming system capabilities through thorough testing
- Application of electrical knowledge in all areas
- Analyzing customer requirements and developing products for them
- Ensuring the integrity of the product through rigorous testing
- Investigating which materials might be needed and sourcing them per budget
- Generating reports based on in-depth market research and the product you have come up with and summarising that
- Helping with the development of documentation that might be needed from a user side
- Maybe even creating computer programs to maintain product databases
There is a long list of sub-disciplines in the field of electrical engineering. Some specialise in one discipline and some have a knowledge of more than one.
Who hires Electrical Engineers?
Almost every company in the world requires a good Electrical Engineer or two. For example, Intel, which leads the way in semiconductor development, reportedly pays their engineers more than many other companies do. If you were working at Intel, you might be working on conductors, processors, chips or any other kind of technology that is required in computing.
Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, understandably needs a lot of electrical engineers. They will always be needed to augment already-existing technologies and continue to improve the efficiency of the vehicles. If you’re looking for a job in electrical engineering then Tesla might be for you.
What qualifications do Electrical Engineers need?
The typical entry requirements for an electrical engineer will be through university, a vocational college or through an accredited apprenticeship. Alternatively, you can just apply to the job directly and demonstrate your skills. Typical degrees would be electronic or electrical engineering or electromechanical engineering.
- Financial planning
- Interpersonal skills
- IT
- Mathematics
- Organisation
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Understanding of technical plans
- Communication
From everyone here at Space Individuals - we wish you the best of luck in finding your Electrical Engineering space job. 🚀