Electronics Engineer

Electronics is the use of low-power electricity, electronic circuits and systems to control, communicate and process information. Electronics engineers may work on the development, installation and maintenance of equipment for the transport industry, the aerospace industry, heavy and light industry, hospitals and commerce. Electronic systems are also used in fields of science such as biology, physics and acoustics, and there is an increasing need for electronics engineers to be familiar with them. Electronics engineers usually work as part of a team that may include engineers and technicians from different engineering disciplines.

Most electronics engineers work regular daytime hours, but they have to be flexible. The hours worked depend on the project in hand, priorities and deadlines. The environment is likely to be clean, well-lit, air-conditioned offices or laboratories, although from time to time electronics engineers have to work elsewhere.

Salaries range from around €30,000 to €65,000 or more a year.

Electronics engineers should:

• be good at maths
• be highly computer literate
• have relevant technical skills
• be good with their hands
• have normal colour vision.

There are opportunities for electronics engineers in a wide range of industries across Irelnad, including aerospace, marine, agricultural, chemical, energy and medical.

To train directly as a professional electronics engineer a degree or equivalent in a relevant subject can be obtained before starting work. For degree courses, applicants normally reuire Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include Mathematics, and either English or Irish.

Electronics engineers are expected to undertake continuing professional development (CPD).

There are promotion routes in most companies and larger companies offer the possibility of overseas work, especially within Europe and in the USA.

 

What is the work like?

Electronics is the use of low-power electricity, electronic circuits and systems to control, communicate and process information. Components such as capacitors, diodes, resistors, semiconductors and transistors are used to control equipment such as

• telecommunications equipment
• radios and televisions
• computer applications
• hospital diagnostic equipment
• control systems used in everything from satellite tracking to domestic appliances such as washing machines.

Electronics engineers may work on the development, installation and maintenance of equipment for:

• the transport industry – radio systems for cars, ships and other vehicles
• the aerospace industry – automatic pilots, radar, traffic control and blind landing systems
• heavy industry – robots for motor vehicle manufacture
• light industry – efficiency and quality control on production lines
• hospitals – patient monitoring systems and anaesthesia and blood pressure equipment7
• commerce – computers, radio and television and video games.

Electronic systems are also used in fields of science, such as biology, physics and acoustics, and there is an increasing need for electronics engineers to be familiar with them. Electronics engineers usually work as part of a team that may include engineers and technicians from different engineering disciplines.

Engineers who graduate after 2013 and wish to become chartered engineers will need to hold an accredited masters degree (level 9), or equivalent. Level 8 bachelor degrees will satisfy the requirements for Institution of Engineers Ireland membership only.

Chartered electronics engineers may:

• head a team of engineering staff
• manage the personnel in a team
• plan a team’s workload
• be responsible for budget control.

Hours and environment

Most electronics engineers work regular daytime hours, but they have to be flexible. The hours worked depend on the project in hand, priorities and deadlines, and engineers sometimes have to work at weekends and at night.

The environment is likely to be clean, well-lit, air-conditioned offices or laboratories, although from time to time electronics engineers have to work elsewhere, eg on the installation of a production line, or an outdoor operation involving transport or communications.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people are employed.

Graduates may start on around €35,000 a year.

Experienced electronics engineers may earn around €65,000.

The average income for chartered electronics engineers is around €65,00

Skills and personal qualities

Electronics engineers should:

• have an analytical mind
• be good at maths
• be highly computer literate
• be able to read diagrams and drawings
• have a logical approach to problem solving
• have good communication skills
• be able to produce accurate drawings
• have relevant technical skills
• be good with their hands
• have normal colour vision
• work well in a team
• be happy to take on responsibility.

Interests

It helps to have an interest in:

• science
• technology
• how things work.

Getting in

There are opportunities for electronics engineers in a wide range of industries. Some of the main ones are aerospace, marine, agricultural, chemical, energy and medical.

Employers throughout Ireland include manufacturers in all industries, research and development companies, IT companies, local and central government, and public utilities, such as water, gas and electricity companies.

Job prospects are excellent, as electronics is a huge (and still expanding) international industry – the opportunities for working overseas are considerable. Rapid developments in telecommunications, robotics and digital technology are bringing a steady demand for electronics engineers, and there are skills shortages in some areas.

Vacancies are advertised in the national press, the professional journals of the engineering institutions, and on their websites. There are numerous other employment websites specialising in vacancies for electronics engineers.

Useful Links:

Engineers Ireland

STEPS-Engineers Ireland

Smart Futures