Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Compatibility Test Engineer · Design Engineer · Electronics Design Engineer · Engineer · Evaluation Engineer · Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer) · Product Engineer · Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.1 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.3 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 83%
- A two-year degree 14%
- A master's degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Operating system software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Development environment software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- File versioning software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 20,800
- Job openings each year
- 1,200
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 20,800 | 1,200 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 11,330 | 760 | 23.6% |
| Colorado | 9,770 | 630 | 19.6% |
| Florida | 6,230 | 400 | 17.1% |
| Arizona | 6,160 | 380 | 13.2% |
| Michigan | 5,350 | 300 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 4,700 | 270 | 6.1% |
| Washington | 3,640 | 240 | 7.7% |
| Georgia | 3,620 | 210 | 7.7% |
| Virginia | 3,540 | 210 | 8.3% |
| Maryland | 3,470 | 200 | 6.4% |
| New Jersey | 3,000 | 170 | 4.2% |
| Missouri | 2,980 | 170 | 4.9% |
| Connecticut | 2,630 | 200 | 42.2% |
| New York | 2,620 | 0 | 1.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,460 | 140 | 5.1% |
| Idaho | 2,410 | 160 | 26.2% |
| North Carolina | 2,320 | 150 | 19.0% |
| Alabama | 2,190 | 130 | 6.8% |
| Illinois | 1,950 | 110 | 2.6% |
| Indiana | 1,770 | 110 | 12.0% |
| Oklahoma | 1,570 | 90 | 4.0% |
| Utah | 1,530 | 100 | 17.7% |
| Oregon | 1,420 | 90 | 15.4% |
| South Carolina | 1,220 | 70 | 10.9% |
| Minnesota | 1,170 | 70 | 10.4% |
| Tennessee | 1,140 | 80 | 23.9% |
| Kansas | 970 | 50 | 4.3% |
| Louisiana | 930 | 60 | 10.7% |
| Massachusetts | 930 | 50 | −2.1% |
| Rhode Island | 830 | 40 | 1.2% |
| New Mexico | 810 | 50 | 9.5% |
| Nevada | 780 | 50 | 20.0% |
| Wisconsin | 780 | 50 | 13.0% |
| District of Columbia | 670 | 30 | −2.9% |
| Kentucky | 540 | 30 | 10.2% |
| Iowa | 440 | 30 | 15.8% |
| New Hampshire | 430 | 30 | 4.9% |
| Mississippi | 420 | 30 | 16.7% |
| Nebraska | 370 | 20 | 19.4% |
| Puerto Rico | 300 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Arkansas | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Maine | 210 | 10 | 5.0% |
| Vermont | 170 | 10 | — |
| South Dakota | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Montana | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Wyoming | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| North Dakota | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| West Virginia | 100 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 80 | 0 | −11.1% |
| Alaska | 60 | 0 | −14.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 480
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college TXThe University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 342
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college NJRutgers University-New Brunswick
- Degrees each year
- 289
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college TXTexas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 270
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college WAUniversity of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 227
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college OHOhio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 217
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college FLFlorida International University
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college AZArizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 195
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open collegeCompare every college offering electrical, electronics, and communications engineering