Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, or power generation equipment. Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft. Electronics engineers, on the other hand, design and develop electronic equipment, including broadcast and communications systems, such as portable music players and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Many also work in areas closely related to computer hardware development.
The field of electric power engineering deals with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.These include transformers, electric generators, electric motors, high voltage engineering, and power electronics. Electrical engineers maintain an electrical network called the power grid, that connects a variety of generators using high-voltage transmission lines. Control engineering applications range from flight systems of commercial airplanes to industrial automation. Where there is regular feedback, control theory can be used to determine how the system responds.
Electronics engineering technicians, by comparison, design basic circuitry and draft sketches to clarify details of design documentation, under the direction of a licensed engineer. They may also be called on to assemble, test, and maintain circuitry components according to engineering manuals. In order to accomplish this, they may fabricate custom parts, such as coils and terminal boards, by using bench lathes, drills, or other computer-controlled machine tools. They also calibrate and perform preventive maintenance on equipment and systems.
Electrical engineering technicians install and maintain electrical control systems and equipment, and modify electrical prototypes, parts, and assemblies to correct problems. When testing systems, they set up equipment and evaluate the performance of developmental parts, assemblies, or systems under simulated conditions. They then analyze test information to resolve design-related problems.
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Automotive Engineering Diesel Engine Diesel vs Petrol Manual Transmission Differential Slip Differential Fuel Cell Technology Gear Design gas and diesel engines Thermo-dynamics Refrigerator Heat Transfer Thermodynamics 1 Thermodynamics 2 Fluid Dynamics 1 Fluid Dynamics 2 Turbulence Turbines Gas Turbine Steam Turbine Wind Turbine Francis Turbine Turbomachinery Pelton Turbine Kaplan Turbine Centrifugal Pump Centrifugal Pump 2 Steam Turbine Electric Motors DC Motor Brushless DC Motor Alternator Single Phase Motor 3 Phase Motor RMF - 1P Motor RMF - 3P Motor Electrical Engineering electromagnetism 1 solid state circuits circuits and electronics electromagnetics circuits power electronics photovoltaics - solar energy electromagnetics antennas and signals electric machines nanoelectronics superconductivity Computer Science intro to algorithms artificial intelligence JAVA programming Python programming languages computer systems 1 database systems computer graphics network security computer systems security natural language processing machine learning intro to C language Civil Engineering soil behavior waste containment soil mechanics environmental chemistry groundwater hydrology aquatic chemistry water quality control atmospheric chemistry wastewater treatment environmental microbiology |
Electrical engineers must have a bachelor's degree in a related discipline. Employers value internships or participation in cooperative engineering programs. Courses include digital systems design, differential equations, and electrical circuit theory. Programs in electrical engineering may be accredited by ABET. At some universities, students can enroll in a 5-year program that leads to both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree concurrently.
A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one's career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PE). A professional engineer can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.
The initial Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can be taken after earning a bachelor's degree. Engineers who pass this exam commonly are called engineers in training (EIT) or engineer interns (EI). After meeting work experience requirements, EITs and EIs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Each state issues its own licenses, although states recognize licensure from other states. Electrical and electronic engineers may advance to supervisory positions in which they lead a team of engineers and technicians.
Programs for electrical and electronics engineering technicians usually lead to an associate's degree in electrical or electronics engineering technology. Community colleges offer programs similar to those in technical institutes but include more theory and diversity of coursework, such as programming languages, chemistry, physics, logical processors, and circuitry.
ETA International offers certifications in several fields, including basic electronics, biomedical electronics, and renewable energy. The International Society of Automation offers certification as a Control Systems Technician. To gain such certification, technicians must demonstrate skills in pneumatic, mechanical, and electronic instrumentation. In addition, they must demonstrate an understanding of process control loops and process control systems.
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1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Cambridge, MA 2. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Pasadena, CA 3. Stanford University - Stanford, CA 4. University of California Berkeley - Berkeley, CA 5. Cornell University - Ithaca, NY 6. Princeton University - Princeton, NJ 7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI 8. Harvey Mudd College - Claremont, CA 9. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Terre Haute, IN 10. United States Military Academy - West Point, NY 11. Bucknell University - Lewisburg, PA 12. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo, CA 13. The Cooper Union - New York, NY 14. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach, FL 15. Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA 16. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Champaign, IL 17. Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA 18. Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN 19. University of Texas Austin - Austin, TX 20. University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI Source: US News, Forbes, and Bloomberg |
Electrical engineers held about 188,300 jobs in 2017, while electronics engineers held about 136,300 jobs. The median annual wage for electrical engineers was $94,210 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $149,040. Overall employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 7 percent over the coming decade.
The rapid pace of technological innovation will likely drive demand for electrical and electronics engineers in research and development, an area in which engineers will deploy solar arrays, semiconductors, and fiber optics. The need to upgrade the nation's power grids will also create demand for electrical engineering services. Electronics engineers who work for the federal government research and evaluate electronic devices used in aviation, transportation, and manufacturing. They may work on federal electronic devices and systems, including satellites, flight systems, radar and sonar systems, and communications systems.
Electronics engineering technicians, on the other hand, held about 137,000 jobs in 2017. The median annual wage for electrical and electronics engineering technicians was $62,190 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,850, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,640. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians may work in day or night shifts, depending on production schedules. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians may be exposed to hazards from equipment or toxic materials, but incidents are rare if proper procedures are followed.
| Links below list current openings: | Starting Salary (up to) |
10 Year Salary (up to) |
| Aerospace Engineers | $89,260 | $124,550 |
| Aircraft Mechanics | $39,300 | $71,780 |
| Android Apps | $84,350 | $97,900 |
| Architects | $69,760 | $104,970 |
| Biotechnology | $70,900 | $129,510 |
| Chemists | $66,040 | $106,310 |
| Civil Engineers | $72,120 | $104,420 |
| Electrical Engineers | $78,900 | $115,240 |
| Environmental Engineers | $72,590 | $106,230 |
| Graphic Design | $49,300 | $58,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $70,630 | $100,980 |
| Maintenance Technician | $63,230 | $73,810 |
| Linux/Perl/C++ | $79,920 | $95,350 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $63,230 | $94,690 |
| .NET Developer | $88,620 | $108,000 |
| Network Analysts | $65,230 | $91,550 |
| Robotics | $82,160 | $92,550 |
| Solar Energy | $81,050 | $104,930 |
| Software Development | $79,920 | $95,250 |
| Surveying | $23,640 | $43,140 |
| SWIFT, iOS | $85,400 | $110,720 |
| Technical Writers | $60,850 | $91,720 |
| Urban Planners | $58,940 | $86,880 |
| Engineering Jobs (updated hourly) |
Starting (up to) |
| Aerospace Engineers | $89,260 |
| Aircraft Mechanics | $39,300 |
| Android Apps | $84,350 |
| Architects | $69,760 |
| Biotechnology | $70,900 |
| Chemists | $66,040 |
| Civil Engineers | $72,120 |
| Electrical Engineers | $78,900 |
| Environmental Engineers | $72,590 |
| Graphic Design | $49,300 |
| Industrial Engineering | $70,630 |
| Maintenance Technician | $63,230 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $63,230 |
| .NET Developer | $88,620 |
| Network Analysts | $65,230 |
| Project Management | $68,100 |
| Robotics | $82,160 |
| Solar Energy | $81,050 |
| Software Development | $79,920 |
| Surveying | $23,640 |
| SWIFT, iOS | $85,400 |
| Technical Writers | $60,850 |
| Urban Planners | $58,940 |