Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical control systems and/or components to required specifications, focusing on economy, safety, reliability, quality and sustainability.
They design and manufacture electrical equipment for use across many sectors, such as:
Electrical engineers are involved in projects from the concept and detail of the design through to implementation, testing and handover. They may also be involved in maintenance programmes.
As well as technical knowledge, electrical engineers need to project manage and multitask. They also need to have commercial awareness. Additional attributes, such as team leadership or management skills, are required as careers progress.
Most electrical engineers work in a multi-disciplinary project team, which is likely to include engineers from other specialist areas as well as architects, marketing and sales staff, manufacturers, technicians and customer service personnel. They may also work with representatives from customer organisations.
Depending on the organisation, the electrical engineer may be involved at every stage of design and development or may just be involved at one particular stage. The nature of the role varies according to industry or sector, but the range of activities common to many posts is likely to include the following:
Most people enter the profession with a degree in electrical or electronic engineering. Entry may also be possible with other engineering degrees, particularly mechanical engineering. Other relevant subject areas include:
Relevant HNDs and foundation degrees include electrical and electronic engineering. Entry may also be possible with the following subjects:
Some employers do prefer graduates. A number of university courses allow diplomates and those with foundation degrees to enter directly into the final year of a degree programme.
Diplomates with work or placement experience are slightly more advantaged than those without.
Entry without a degree, HND or foundation degree is sometimes possible. Some organisations recruit at A-level (or Higher) standard for apprenticeships and select the best candidates for sponsorship on full or part-time degrees.
You do not need a postgraduate qualification to gain employment. A potential employer will be more impressed by your enthusiasm to gain professional status and by relevant industrial experience. However, a Masters degree or equivalent qualification is required for chartered engineer (CEng) status. Those with a BEng, foundation degree or HND can apply for incorporated engineer (IEng) status. For more details, see the Engineering Council .
Any relevant work experience through a sandwich or vacation placement or industrial year out is valuable.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
A second language could be useful when applying to international companies.
Student membership of one of the engineering institutions, such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) , provides up-to-date sector information, including new developments in the industry, regular newsletters and access to networks and contacts. The Power Academy is run by the IET and has brought together leading universities and power sector organisations to provide support for those on an accredited electrical, electronic or power engineering course. The IET also offers its own scholarships for engineering undergraduates and will consider applications in any year of study.
Some work, e.g. in defence-related and nuclear power industries, has security implications and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) may debar applicants who have a criminal record, are not UK citizens or do not pass security clearance.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training varies according to the size of the employing organisation. Some companies offer an established training programme that includes on-the-job training and structured continuing professional development (CPD). Other, smaller employers may be unable to provide such a broad training experience themselves. It is worth checking what arrangements are in place when applying for jobs, particularly if you want to work towards chartered engineer (CEng) status.
Some organisations offer graduate entrants a rotation of posts in the first two to three years in order to support the acquisition of the necessary competencies and experience. Employers may also offer training in core business skills, such as project management, report writing or presentation skills.
As well as educational qualifications, all professional bodies have membership criteria including a combination of practical work experience and CPD. All professional bodies use UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) , a set of standards for professional engineers and engineering technicians set up in conjunction with the Engineering Council .
The Professional Development: How 2 website provides a unified framework for professional development for members of the:
Professional status and membership of the relevant professional body, e.g. Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) , is essential for successful career development. This will enable you to keep up to date with developing technologies, establish contacts, and network with other engineering professionals in your field and related fields at conferences and regional meetings.
Chartered engineer (CEng) status requires a postgraduate-level qualification, while BEng graduates can apply for incorporated engineer (IEng) status. Professional registration involves demonstrating competencies so it is likely to take four to six years after graduation to build up the necessary experience. Registration requires a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career.
There are no set or easily defined routes for career progression for electrical engineers. It can be a matter of choice and preferred specialist area. Some decide to stay in a purely engineering role or work in research and design (R&D), but other options include:
Graduates working for contracting firms would be expected to have a high degree of mobility.
UK engineering qualifications are recognised in most countries, in others you may have to take additional tests. Most overseas organisations will expect chartered engineer status. You are advised to check with your professional institution and the country where you intend to work for further details.
Electrical engineers are employed in a wide range of industry sectors. These may be multinational, multifaceted companies covering a wide range of industries or small to medium-sized specialist enterprises. They include:
This range gives applicants a large choice of entry points into the profession and a variety of organisations in which to gain experience and build a career.
Recruitment agencies and online jobs boards sometimes advertise vacancies and often handle contract vacancies, particularly for experienced engineers. For more details on specialist recruitment agencies, see the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) .
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet