electrical engineer

Electrical engineers have a lot of responsibilities that vary depending on specialization. Nonetheless, some responsibilities are similar across the board, such as:

• project planning: as an electrical engineer, you are responsible for planning all electrical projects in your company. The planning process begins with designing drafts of electrical systems on paper. During planning, you draft budgets and source all equipment and components essential to the projects. You also organize meetings with investors and clients to discuss budgets, system specifications, technical requirements and other issues.
• project development: you ensure projects are completed on time and perform as expected. After drafting a plan, you actualize it using CAD machines and oversee its development. Once you make the prototypes, you test their performance capabilities and make necessary improvements.
• managing and maintaining electrical systems: apart from developing new systems, you operate existing electrical systems. You are expected to conduct frequent inspections to ensure all electrical systems work according to global safety guidelines and regulations. Depending on your job description, you conduct system maintenance and upgrades to ensure electrical systems work efficiently.
• researching and reporting: as an electrical engineer, you collect data on system use, performance and client feedback. With this information, you compile and table scheduled reports before clients and employers. You also research and innovate new technologies in development laboratories, such as biotechnology, medical and computer labs.
• ensuring product quality: as an electrical engineer, you ensure electrical products and electronics work as expected. You also ascertain that electrical systems perform all the functions with ease. Sometimes, you design testing methods for manufacturers to determine equipment performance. You also conduct tests on finished products and check system capabilities.

Since electrical engineers work in various industries, you have unique working environments. In most cases, you work indoors during project planning, designing, budgeting and when holding meetings. Production of electrical systems is also done indoors in workstations and labs. However, there are special assignments that force you to work outdoors. In each case, you have a high-risk work environment, as it usually involves interacting with electricity. High-risk environments include factories, power generation plants and research labs. This profession also involves interacting with superiors, administrators, fellow employees, technicians and clients. As expected, the working environment demands moderate to high interpersonal skills.

As an electrical engineer, you work in various industries that use electrical equipment. In manufacturing industries, you work alongside mechanical engineers, welders and production supervisors. You also work with electricians, maintenance supervisors, warehouse associates and auto electricians. Sometimes, you work with professionals from the construction industry, including construction project managers and civil engineers.

As an electrical engineer, you have regular but often compartmentalized work schedules. For instance, you could design a project in the morning and move on to test another one or conduct maintenance in the afternoon. However, these schedules are often interrupted, especially if more than one project is underway. You work 40 hours weekly in a full-time role. Sometimes you work overtime to meet project deadlines.

In large companies, electrical engineers work in shifts to ensure a professional is always available. Although most jobs are full-time, being an independent electrical engineer gives you an even more dynamic work schedule. This is because you divide time between working on projects and travelling. Both consultants and paid contractors work part-time and, sometimes, for different companies. Remote work is possible for consultants only.

Electrical engineering skills are crucial in almost all production and manufacturing areas. When it comes to the individual growth potential of electrical engineers, skills, education and experience levels are crucial determiners of success. Highly recommended engineers rise to managerial ranks in their industry or company. You can start a private consultancy or contracting firm and become a freelance contractor as a licensed electrical engineer after gaining experience.

Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.

• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

As an electrical engineer, your earnings depend on your experience, qualifications and skills. In an entry-level position, you earn a lower salary due to minimal expertise. Your take-home salary when first starting is $95,000 per year. As your experience increases, you also earn more. Experienced electrical engineers earn over $139,090 annually.

As an electrical engineer, you design and develop electrical equipment. You create the specifications and the blueprints for the electrical systems or equipment. For example, you assist in designing electric motors, navigation systems and power generation equipment. You also supervise the manufacturing of items and test them to ensure they perform the desired function.

Electrical engineering is a challenging career due to the complexity of the tasks. After completing electrical engineering courses, you should acquire several years of experience working under other trade professionals to excel in the role. Once you learn the ropes, a successful career and well-paying job await you.

You require a bachelor’s degree in electronics and electrical engineering. A master’s degree in a related discipline may also be required. Besides educational qualifications, a licence to practise as a professional engineer and approve engineering drawings or reports is needed.

It takes four years to obtain a bachelor's of electrical engineering degree in Canada. After you complete the course and pass the exam, you can then apply for an electrical engineering licence.

Finding a job near you as an electrical engineer is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.