Electrical Engineering Technicians

Career Description: Apply electrical theory and related knowledge to test and modify developmental or operational electrical machinery and electrical control equipment and circuitry in industrial or commercial plants and laboratories. Usually work under direction of engineering staff.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Electrical Engineering Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Provide technical assistance and resolution when electrical or engineering problems are encountered before, during, and after construction.
• Assemble electrical and electronic systems and prototypes according to engineering data and knowledge of electrical principles, using hand tools and measuring instruments.
• Install and maintain electrical control systems and solid state equipment.
• Modify electrical prototypes, parts, assemblies, and systems to correct functional deviations.
• Set up and operate test equipment to evaluate performance of developmental parts, assemblies, or systems under simulated operating conditions, and record results.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers and other personnel to identify, define, and solve developmental problems.
• Build, calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical instruments or testing equipment.
• Analyze and interpret test information to resolve design-related problems.
• Write commissioning procedures for electrical installations.
• Prepare project cost and work-time estimates.
• Evaluate engineering proposals, shop drawings and design comments for sound electrical engineering practice and conformance with established safety and design criteria, and recommend approval or disapproval.
• Draw or modify diagrams and write engineering specifications to clarify design details and functional criteria of experimental electronics units.
• Conduct inspections for quality control and assurance programs, reporting findings and recommendations.
• Prepare contracts and initiate, review and coordinate modifications to contract specifications and plans throughout the construction process.
• Plan, schedule and monitor work of support personnel to assist supervisor.
• Review existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions, deletions or amendments to outdated material.
• Perform supervisory duties such as recommending work assignments, approving leaves and completing performance evaluations.
• Plan method and sequence of operations for developing and testing experimental electronic and electrical equipment.
• Visit construction sites to observe conditions impacting design and to identify solutions to technical design problems involving electrical systems equipment that arise during construction.

Emerging Tasks

• Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.
• Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
• Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• 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.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• 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.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• 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.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze engineering test data
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• analyze test data
• calculate engineering specifications
• calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
• communicate technical information
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• develop plans for programs or projects
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• estimate cost for engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• follow statistical process control procedures
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• install electronic equipment, components, or systems
• install, maintain, or repair electronics manufacturing equipment
• install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
• modify electrical or electronic equipment or products
• operate precision test equipment
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read manufacturing outlines for electronic products
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• repair computer controlled manufacturing systems
• repair electronic components, equipment, or systems
• resolve engineering or science problems
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• troubleshoot electronics manufacturing equipment
• understand detailed electronic design specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical information for electronic repair work
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use knowledge of metric system
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
• evaluate product design
• evaluate prototype computer software systems
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• follow data security procedures
• follow data storage procedures
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• follow safe waste disposal procedures
• follow statistical process control procedures
• improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
• lead teams in engineering projects
• make presentations
• modify electrical or electronic equipment or products
• oversee testing or construction of prototype
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• provide technical computer training
• provide technical support to computer users
• read blueprints
• read manufacturing outlines for electronic products
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• recommend purchase, repair, or modification of equipment
• resolve engineering or science problems
• sell merchandise
• test computer programs or systems
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand detailed electronic design specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computer graphics design software
• use computer networking technology
• use computer programming language
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use hazardous materials information
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of mainframe computers
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use total quality management practices
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

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• Projected growth (2006-2016): 3.58%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 6,097
• Employment (2006): 170,433

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