Occupation · SOC 17-2072

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

Median wage
$127,590
$79,390–$199,060
Projected growth
+6.2%
Average growth
Annual openings
600
per year
Employed (US)
93,940
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
327 mapped

Core skills

Critical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisActive ListeningWriting

Knowledge areas

Engineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsDesignMathematicsEnglish Language

Technology & tools

Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareFile versioning softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareDevelopment environment software

Representative tasks

Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.Provide technical support or instruction to staff or customers regarding electronics equipment standards.Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities.Prepare documentation containing information such as confidential descriptions or specifications of proprietary hardware or software, product development or introduction schedules, product costs, or information about product performance weaknesses.Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.Analyze electronics system requirements, capacity, cost, or customer needs to determine project feasibility.Prepare, review, or maintain maintenance schedules, design documentation, or operational reports or charts.Inspect electronic equipment, instruments, products, or systems to ensure conformance to specifications, safety standards, or applicable codes or regulations.Determine project material or equipment needs.Prepare necessary criteria, procedures, reports, or plans for successful conduct of the project with consideration given to site preparation, facility validation, installation, quality assurance, or testing.Plan or develop applications or modifications for electronic properties used in components, products, or systems to improve technical performance.Prepare engineering sketches or specifications for construction, relocation, or installation of equipment, facilities, products, or systems.Prepare budget or cost estimates for equipment, construction, or installation projects or control expenditures.Investigate green consumer electronics applications for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, or energy efficient power chargers.Represent employer at conferences, meetings, boards, panels, committees, or working groups to present, explain, or defend findings or recommendations, negotiate compromises or agreements, or exchange information.Research or develop new green electronics technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, or energy efficient televisions.

Competency framework

Skill expectations by proficiency level.

emerging
Electronic component specifications — review and interpret under direct supervision to support design tasks in a commercial or industrial engineering environment.Computer-aided design software — operate under guidance to produce basic schematic diagrams and layouts for entry-level electronics projects.Engineering standards and technical documentation — read and apply established protocols when assisting senior engineers on product development teams.Circuit behavior and system parameters — recognize common patterns and anomalies during bench-level testing on assigned hardware assemblies.Project status and technical findings — communicate clearly in written reports and verbal updates when participating in structured team engineering reviews.Proprietary hardware or software descriptions — assist in preparing draft documentation under supervision in compliance with confidentiality requirements.Engineering or scientific software tools — execute predefined analysis routines to support electronics design verification tasks on supervised projects.Vendor and customer technical inquiries — respond to routine questions regarding electronics equipment standards with guidance from senior staff.Component selection criteria — apply established guidelines to identify appropriate parts for assigned subsystem designs within cost and performance constraints.Mathematics and physics fundamentals — apply to solve structured electronics problems such as impedance calculations or signal analysis under direct oversight.
developing
Electronic subsystems — design with reduced oversight for commercial or industrial applications using CAD tools and established engineering methodologies.Computer-assisted engineering software — operate routinely to model, simulate, and validate electronics circuits and systems across typical project scenarios.Technical adequacy of completed designs — evaluate against project specifications and applicable standards during structured design review processes.Manufacturing or installation activities — coordinate with cross-functional teams to support timely and compliant production of electronic equipment.Engineering project discussions — participate constructively with engineers, vendors, and customers to clarify requirements and resolve familiar technical issues.Electronics equipment standards — provide technical instruction to junior staff or customers in areas within the engineer's established domain of expertise.Design or repair modifications — recommend based on environmental conditions, cost constraints, and system capability data gathered during field or lab analysis.Product cost and schedule documentation — prepare accurately using ERP and file versioning software to support product development milestone reviews.Systems analysis techniques — apply to assess interactions among electronic subsystems and identify performance gaps in moderately complex product architectures.Quality control data — analyze using scientific software to detect trends and support continuous improvement in electronics manufacturing or test environments.
proficient
Complex electronic systems — design autonomously for medical, military, or scientific applications, balancing performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements.Advanced CAD and simulation environments — leverage across the full project lifecycle to optimize electronics designs and resolve non-routine engineering challenges.Technical and compatibility issues — evaluate independently across multi-disciplinary electronics programs, applying systems analysis to resolve root causes efficiently.Cross-functional manufacturing and installation programs — direct end-to-end, ensuring electronic equipment meets operational and quality standards throughout deployment.Strategic engineering consultations — lead with engineers, customers, and vendors to shape project scope, negotiate technical trade-offs, and align stakeholder expectations.Electronics equipment standards and best practices — author and disseminate authoritative technical guidance adopted by project teams and external clients.System-level redesign recommendations — develop based on comprehensive assessment of service history, environmental factors, cost impact, and capability roadmaps.Confidential proprietary documentation — produce with precision, covering hardware and software specifications, performance weaknesses, and product introduction schedules.Operations analysis methods — apply to evaluate existing electronics systems and identify targeted improvements in efficiency, reliability, and safety.Emerging technologies and scientific literature — critically synthesize to integrate innovative solutions into current product development cycles within the engineering organization.
advanced
Electronics engineering program strategy — define and lead at the organizational level, setting technical direction for portfolios spanning commercial, industrial, and defense markets.Enterprise CAD, ERP, and development environment platforms — govern adoption and standards across engineering departments to ensure consistency and scalability.Organization-wide engineering quality — establish evaluation frameworks and review governance that ensure technical adequacy and regulatory compliance across all projects.Large-scale manufacturing, installation, and system modification programs — oversee at executive level, managing risk, resource allocation, and cross-site coordination.Executive-level partnerships — cultivate with key customers, government agencies, and strategic vendors to co-develop next-generation electronics products and systems.Engineering capability development — design and implement training strategies and mentorship programs that elevate technical competence across the engineering workforce.Technology investment and innovation roadmaps — lead development of, aligning electronics system design priorities with long-range organizational and market objectives.Intellectual property and proprietary documentation governance — establish policies ensuring accurate, secure, and legally compliant product specifications and technical records.Systems evaluation criteria — create enterprise standards for assessing electronics system performance, enabling data-driven decisions on product lifecycle and modernization.Cross-disciplinary scientific and engineering knowledge — integrate across physics, software, and mechanical domains to lead breakthrough solutions for the most complex organizational challenges.

Also known as

173 alternate job titles map to this occupation.

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