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Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians are to test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment, maintain electronic equipment, calibrate scientific or technical equipment, review technical documents to plan work. In general, for the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, reading Comprehension, complex Problem Solving, critical Thinking, monitoring and other 17 skills are required.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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 TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs. 11.01% of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 31.68% of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
11.01%
Post-Secondary Certificate
31.68%
Some College Courses
17.18%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
25.29%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
14.84%

Tasks and Work Activities of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

  • Test electronics units, using standard test equipment, and analyze results to evaluate performance and determine need for adjustment.
  • Perform preventative maintenance or calibration of equipment or systems.
  • Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
  • Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
  • Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
  • Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
  • Adjust or replace defective or improperly functioning circuitry or electronics components, using hand tools or soldering iron.
  • Procure parts and maintain inventory and related documentation.
  • Maintain working knowledge of state-of-the-art tools or software by reading or attending conferences, workshops, or other training.
  • Provide user applications or engineering support or recommendations for new or existing equipment with regard to installation, upgrades, or enhancements.
  • Write reports or record data on testing techniques, laboratory equipment, or specifications to assist engineers.
  • Provide customer support and education, working with users to identify needs, determine sources of problems, or to provide information on product use.
  • Design basic circuitry and draft sketches for clarification of details and design documentation under engineers' direction, using drafting instruments or computer-aided design (CAD) equipment.
  • Build prototypes from rough sketches or plans.
  • Develop or upgrade preventative maintenance procedures for components, equipment, parts, or systems.
  • Fabricate parts, such as coils, terminal boards, or chassis, using bench lathes, drills, or other machine tools.
  • Research equipment or component needs, sources, competitive prices, delivery times, or ongoing operational costs.
  • Write computer or microprocessor software programs.
  • Survey satellite receival sites for proper signal level or provide technical assistance in dish location or installation, transporting dishes as necessary.
  • Install or maintain electrical control systems or solid state equipment.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
  • Maintain electronic equipment.
  • Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
  • Review technical documents to plan work.
  • Resolve operational performance problems.
  • Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
  • Maintain operational records or records systems.
  • Assemble equipment or components.
  • Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
  • Update technical knowledge.
  • Advise customers on the use of products or services.
  • Prepare procedural documents.
  • Create schematic drawings for electronics.
  • Create physical models or prototypes.
  • Develop technical methods or processes.
  • Fabricate products or components using machine tools.
  • Develop software or computer applications.
  • Survey land or bodies of water to measure or determine features.
  • Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
  • Design electrical equipment or systems.

Skills and Abilities for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Operations AnalysisAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Adjustable widemouth plierse.g. Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Ammeterse.g. Ammeters
  • Heel grounding strapse.g. Anti-static heel grounders
  • Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathee.g. Bench lathes
  • Binocular light compound microscopese.g. Binocular light compound microscopes
  • Brushless motor DCe.g. Brushless direct current DC motors
  • Milling machinese.g. Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers
  • Electronic measuring probese.g. Current probes
  • Portable data input terminalse.g. Dataloggers
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Digital camerase.g. Digital cameras
  • Plotter printerse.g. Digital plotters
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Digital voltmeters DVM
  • Auxiliary generatore.g. Dual power supplies
  • Dynamometerse.g. Dynamometers
  • Frequency counters or timer or dividerse.g. Frequency counters
  • Signal generatorse.g. Function generators
  • Impedance meterse.g. Impedance meters
  • Laser printerse.g. Laser printers
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.