Occupation · SOC 17-3023
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
Median wage
$77,180
$48,250–$111,790
Projected growth
+0.6%
Slower than average
Annual openings
60
per year
Employed (US)
92,710
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
812 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTroubleshootingRepairingComplex Problem SolvingWritingSpeaking
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguageDesignMathematics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareDevelopment environment softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareIndustrial control software
Representative tasks
Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.Review existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions, deletions, or amendments to outdated material.Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.Select electronics equipment, components, or systems to meet functional specifications.Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets.Educate equipment operators on the proper use of equipment.Supervise the installation or operation of electronic equipment or systems.Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.Modify electrical prototypes, parts, assemblies, or systems to correct functional deviations.Integrate software or hardware components, using computer, microprocessor, or control architecture.Procure parts and maintain inventory and related documentation.Participate in training or continuing education activities to stay abreast of engineering or industry advances.Research equipment or component needs, sources, competitive prices, delivery times, or ongoing operational costs.Provide user applications or engineering support or recommendations for new or existing equipment with regard to installation, upgrades, or enhancements.Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality control or quality assurance programs or procedures.Produce electronics drawings or other graphics representing industrial control, instrumentation, sensors, or analog or digital telecommunications networks, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.Design or modify engineering schematics for electrical transmission and distribution systems or for electrical installation in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.Interpret test information to resolve design-related problems.Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable or nonsustainable designs.Construct and evaluate electrical components for consumer electronics applications such as fuel cells for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, or energy efficient power chargers.Participate in the development or testing of electrical aspects of new green technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, and energy efficient televisions.Review, develop, or prepare maintenance standards.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and precision instruments — use under direct supervision to replace defective electronic components on a production bench.Basic wiring diagrams and schematic drawings — read and interpret with guidance to support unit assembly in an electronics manufacturing environment.Standard test equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes — set up and operate under supervision to measure voltage and continuity on discrete components.Electrical blueprints and engineering instructions — follow step-by-step to assemble prototype circuitry according to a technician's direction.Electronic components and assemblies — identify and handle using proper ESD protocols on an assembly floor under a senior technician's oversight.Routine maintenance checklists — execute under supervision to inspect and clean electronics equipment in a controlled lab setting.Equipment malfunction symptoms — recognize and document accurately while assisting experienced technicians during diagnostic sessions.Technical manuals and safety standards — reference to select correct hand or power tools for assigned assembly tasks in a workshop environment.Engineering work orders and verbal instructions — receive, clarify, and act on to complete assigned repair and assembly tasks within a production schedule.Basic electronic theory and component knowledge — apply under guidance to support bench-level troubleshooting of low-complexity circuits.
developing
Defective electronic components — diagnose and replace with reduced oversight using hand tools and precision instruments in a field or lab environment.Specialized test equipment including signal generators and logic analyzers — configure and operate independently to evaluate the performance of electronic assemblies.Wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, and engineering instructions — interpret without assistance to guide the assembly and modification of electronics systems.Equipment malfunctions — isolate root causes using systematic troubleshooting methods and coordinate with manufacturers or field representatives to procure replacement parts.Electronic prototypes and circuitry assemblies — build and test according to engineering instructions and technical manuals, adapting to minor design revisions.Electrical engineering review checklists — apply to verify that completed assemblies conform to applicable codes, standards, and design specifications.CAD and analytical software tools — use to review circuit layouts and record test data within an engineering department workflow.Maintenance schedules for electronics equipment — manage independently, performing recurring inspections and preventive repairs to minimize system downtime.Verbal and written technical reports — produce clearly to communicate test results, repair actions, and component status to engineers and supervisors.Systems analysis techniques — employ to evaluate how component-level changes affect overall circuit or equipment performance in a mixed-technology environment.
proficient
Complex electronics systems and subsystems — troubleshoot, repair, and modify autonomously across the full scope of equipment types in field and laboratory settings.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — resolve independently by applying advanced diagnostic reasoning, engaging vendor technical support when design-level issues arise.Full suite of standard and specialized test instrumentation — select, calibrate, and operate to perform comprehensive performance analysis of high-complexity electronic assemblies.Multidisciplinary engineering drawings and schematics — read, cross-reference, and reconcile to ensure accurate assembly and compliance with electrical codes and standards.Engineering review of electrical plans — conduct thoroughly to verify adherence to design specifications, applicable codes, and regulatory requirements before fabrication.Prototype circuitry and electronic systems — assemble, test, and iterate using precision hand tools and measuring instruments within an R&D or advanced manufacturing context.Analytical and development software environments — leverage to model, simulate, and validate circuit behavior and system integration parameters.Technical documentation including test procedures, repair histories, and compliance records — author with precision to support quality assurance and audit readiness.Cross-functional coordination with engineers, vendors, and field representatives — lead to diagnose systemic failures and implement durable corrective actions.Emerging technologies and updated industry standards — evaluate and incorporate into maintenance and repair practices to keep systems current and compliant.
advanced
Organizational competency frameworks for electronics technologists — design and implement to standardize practices, elevate team capability, and align with business objectives.Complex, multi-system technical problems — lead resolution efforts at organizational scale, drawing on deep systems analysis and guiding less experienced technicians through the process.Engineering and technical standards adoption — champion across departments, ensuring all design reviews, assembly processes, and test protocols reflect current codes and best practices.Mentorship and on-the-job training programs — develop and deliver to build proficiency in schematic interpretation, test equipment operation, and fault diagnosis among junior staff.Capital equipment selection and test infrastructure — evaluate, recommend, and oversee deployment to improve diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency enterprise-wide.Strategic maintenance and reliability programs — establish and govern for large electronics equipment portfolios, reducing unplanned downtime and optimizing lifecycle costs.Technical risk assessments for new product introductions or system upgrades — lead by applying advanced knowledge of electronic theory, codes, and manufacturing processes.Cross-organizational technical communication — represent the team to engineering leadership, clients, and regulatory bodies, translating complex findings into actionable decisions.Continuous improvement initiatives for assembly, test, and repair workflows — drive using data from analytical software, quality records, and team performance metrics.Succession planning and knowledge transfer — orchestrate by documenting institutional expertise in troubleshooting, system modification, and compliance review for long-term organizational resilience.
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