How to become an Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers design, develop, test and maintain electronic parts and systems used in computers, communications, navigation, industry and entertainment.

Personal requirements for an Electronics Engineer

Aptitude for technical activities
Good leadership skills
Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
Good oral and written communication skills
Enjoy computing and technical design
Practical and creative
Able to work independently and accept responsibility

Education & Training for an Electronics Engineer

To become an electronics engineer you usually have to study electronic engineering at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of an Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers:

Design circuits for electronic control systems and instrumentation
Prepare and supervise designs, specifications, estimates, tenders and contracts
Program and operate computers to assist with complex calculations
Determine the type and arrangement of circuit parts and develop testing equipment and methods
Determine the type of installation, location, layout and transmission medium by assessing communication traffic and levels of service at installations
Determine and monitor performance, safety standards and methods for modification, maintenance and repair
Check installations to ensure they meet contract conditions
Research new applications of technology
Talk to clients, other engineers, technical officers, technicians, tradespeople and other workers.

Tasks

Establishing and monitoring performance and safety standards and procedures for operation, modification, maintenance and repair of such systems
Designing communications bearers based on wired, optical fibre and wireless communication media
Designing and developing signal processing algorithms and implementing these through appropriate choice of hardware and software
Designing software, especially embedded software, to be used within such systems
Analysing communications traffic and level of service, and determining the type of installation, location, layout and transmission medium for communication systems
Supervising installation and commissioning of computer, communication and control systems, and ensuring proper control and protection methods
Designing electronic components, circuits and systems used for computer, communication and control systems, and other industrial applications
Developing apparatus and procedures to test electronic components, circuits and systems

Employment Opportunities for an Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers work in industries such as communications, aviation, defence, robotics, information technology, biomedical engineering and meteorology. Employment opportunities exist with federal, state and territory government departments and authorities. Electronics engineers are also employed in private industry developing equipment for various industrial purposes; in hospitals; in radio and television stations; in the manufacture of electronic equipment, particularly in the computer field; and as sales engineers. Some may work in research laboratories and in universities and colleges undertaking research and teaching, while others set themselves up in business as consultants. The Australian Defence Force offers specialisation as a Navy Electronic Engineer to assist in monitoring and managing ships’ communications, radar and weapons systems.

Specializations

Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers design, develop, test and maintain electronic parts and systems used in computers, communications, navigation, industry and entertainment.

Average age
44
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
10% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,782
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
77%
Employment Size
6,500
Employment by state
ACT: 3.5%
NSW: 29.3%
NT: 1.2%
QLD: 13.2%
SA: 9.2%
TAS: 0.9%
VIC: 30.8%
WA: 11.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.1%
20-24: 3.5%
25-34: 22.6%
35-44: 26.5%
45-54: 25.5%
55-59: 10.7%
60-64: 6.8%
65 and Over: 4.5%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 11.5%
Bachelor degree: 52.3%
Certificate III/IV: 6.8%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 23.8%
Year 10 and below: 0.6%
Year 11: 0.2%
Year 12: 4.6%