Electronics Design Engineer

Working Schedule

• Electronics Design Engineers work full-time, usually in office or lab settings. Overtime may be needed in rush situations. Some travel may be necessary for site visits or to attend meetings. 

Typical Duties

• Meet with clients or employers to review product needs and specific requirements
• Offer realistic cost projections and details about potential product capabilities
• Collaborate with design teams and electrical engineers on projects
• Recommend materials to use or avoid
• Design electronic hardware devices, components, systems, and software 
• Develop schematic diagrams and layouts
• Provide suggestions and technical support during the development stages
• Create or manage product prototypes to assess the feasibility
• Ensure circuits meet safety regulations and standards
• Assist with production processes, as needed
• Ensure manufacturing timelines, budgets, and quality are met
• Create and analyze computer models and simulations under various conditions
• Perform reliability testing to ensure proper performance 
• Travel to testing sites, as needed
• Help with application development and testing
• Conduct thorough safety compliance inspections of systems, instruments, and equipment
• Coordinate installation and testing of parts, equipment, or programs 
• Repair or oversee repairs of inoperable damaged equipment
• Establish and enforce routine maintenance protocols 
• Review consumer complaints and offer solutions
• Conduct diligent research and stay up to date on technological advances 
• Write and edit technical documentation

Additional Responsibilities

• Train and mentor project team members 
• Work to streamline processes and improve efficiency 
• Suggest modifications and improvements to existing parts or systems 
• Aid with patent applications, as needed

Soft Skills

• Attention to detail
• Compliance-oriented 
• Critical thinking
• Independent
• Initiative
• Normal color vision
• Organized
• Problem-solving
• Quality assurance
• Reliable
• Resourceful 
• Results-driven
• Safety conscious 
• Strong communication skills 
• Teamwork 
• Time management
• Troubleshooting

Technical Skills

• Circuit board assembly testing
• Knowledge of electronics circuits, power supplies, design, and engineering 
• Electrical hand tools and testing equipment such as oscilloscopes
• EMI noise reduction
• Failure mode and effects analysis
• Gate driver design
• High volume analog and digital embedded instrument design
• Insultated-gate field effect transistors
• Knowledge of OSHA electrical safety standards and UL certification
• PCB layout design
• Programming languages like C/C++, Verilog, VHDL, Python, and MATLAB
• Simulation and computer-aided design software
• Technical research and writing ability  
• Training in electrical design systems engineering
• Understanding of circuit design and applicable software such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, Siemens PADS, or Autodesk EAGLE

• Engineering service providers
• Government and military agencies 
• Manufacturers 
• Telecommunications companies

Technology advances at such a rapid pace, in part, because there’s so much competition. As soon as a manufacturer produces a high-tech product, the next day it and all of its competing companies are working to build something even better. Electronics Design Engineers have to work on the cutting edge, pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible. 

As they do so, they know that around the world others are doing exactly the same thing, trying to beat them to the punch! This phenomenon is observable in virtually every industry, but especially in consumer retail products and within the military-industrial complex. Indeed, most countries invest heavily in their national defense, which includes never-ending R&D for technologies to be used by militaries. Thus, Electronics Design Engineers should be aware of the potential uses and ramifications of their work, while trying to stay ahead of the curve through continuous learning. 

The fast-paced world of electronics design is always on the lookout for new advances that will improve efficiency and production. One of the biggest trends in this space is the rise of virtual reality, not only in games and entertainment but also for medical and military training purposes. In addition, there’s a significant increase in the development of smart devices. These are nothing new, but they are rapidly replacing our “dumber” gadgets as they interconnect with the Internet of Things. 

Meanwhile, the spread of 5G networks is boosting device capabilities, in turn driving the need for faster devices. In manufacturing, AI and robotics are becoming even more prevalent, replacing human workers in some areas so that production is streamlined and more sophisticated. To some extent, this is narrowing and redefining the job outlook for engineers. These are just a few of the top trends impacting the industry! 

Electronics Design Engineers may have enjoyed working with mechanical equipment, electrical gadgets, or computers growing up. They are very hands-on and able to focus on technical work for long periods and may have had hands-on hobbies that took up a lot of their time as kids. They tend to be reliable, practical, and innovative problem-solvers!