Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC 2133)
Description
Electrical and electronics engineers design, plan, research, evaluate and test electrical and electronic equipment and systems. They are employed by electrical utilities, communications companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, and by a wide range of manufacturing, processing, transportation industries and government.
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Example Titles
- avionics engineer
- control systems engineer
- design engineer, electrical
- distribution planning engineer, electrical engineer
- electrical network engineer
- electronics engineer
- instrumentation and control engineer
- planning engineer, electrical systems
- process control engineer, electrical
- roadway lighting design engineer
- television systems engineer
- test engineer, electronics
>> View all titles
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Classified Elsewhere
- Computer and Information Systems Managers (0213)
- Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers) (2147)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (2241)
- Engineering Managers (0211)
- Software Engineers (2173)
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Duties
Electrical and electronics engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of electrical generation and distribution networks, electrical machinery and components. Also, into electronic communications, instrumentation and control systems, equipment, and components.
- Prepare material cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for electrical and electronic systems and equipment.
- Design electrical and electronic circuits, components, systems and equipment.
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification, testing and operation of electrical and electronic systems and equipment.
- Develop maintenance and operating standards for electrical and electronic systems and equipment.
- Investigate electrical or electronic failures.
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for construction or maintenance.
- Supervise technicians, technologists, programmers, analysts and other engineers.
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Skills
Electrical and electronic engineers need the following characteristics:
- an interest in applications of electricity and electronic controls,
- an aptitude for mathematics and science,
- inquiring and inventive minds, and an interest in research and continuous learning,
- analytical and problem-solving skills,
- a capacity for details,
- excellent oral and written communication skills,
- good decision-making and problem-solving skills,
- the ability to supervise and teach others,
- the ability to work with others, sometimes with specialists in scientific, engineering or business fields, and on their own,
- project management skills.
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Employment Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in electrical or electronics engineering or in an appropriate related engineering discipline is required. Employers may accept completion of a college diploma in electronic engineering technology combined with several years of experience, for positions not requiring a professional qualification.
- A master's or doctoral degree in a related engineering discipline may be required for jobs in research.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an approved educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
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Terms & Conditions
Electrical and electronics engineers commonly work in an office environment or test facilities. Some electrical and electronics engineers may have to travel extensively to work on particular projects, both domestically and abroad. Most work during regular business hours, although some work longer hours, evenings and weekends in order to meet project deadlines. Nearly all electrical and electronics engineers in Manitoba work full-time (97%). Self-employment in Manitoba in this occupation is not common (8%).
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Earnings
$45,000 per annum - starting
$75,300 per annum - average
$103,000 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Engineering offers the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering B.Sc.(Eng.)
- Master of Engineering M.Eng.
- Master of Science M.Sc.
- Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Red River College offers a two-year diploma program in Electronic Engineering Technology. Communication, Computer, Electrical, Electronic and Instrumentation Engineering Technology programs have a common first year of training.
- University College of the North offers a two-year diploma program in Electrical/Electronic Technology and a one-year Preparation for Electrical/Electronic and Computer Technology program.
- Some high schools in Manitoba offer an Electrical/Electronics program.
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Career Paths
Junior engineers may move fairly freely between specializations such as electrical design for residential, commercial or industrial installations, electrical power generation and transmission, instrumentation and control systems, avionics, robotics, computer hardware and software, and communications.
Some engineering graduates become managers or sales personnel. Others combine their engineering degrees with training in medicine to become biomedical engineers, or in law to become patent attorneys. A combination of business and engineering undergraduate degrees can also facilitate employment with various employers.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for electrical and electronics engineers are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 685.
This engineering specialty has been growing in importance in recent years. Electrical engineers deal with a wide and growing range of commercial, industrial, medical, military, and scientific applications. In Manitoba, such trends include growth in high speed and wireless communications and medical diagnosis and treatment. However, foreign competition for electronic products and the increasing out-sourcing of engineering services to other countries could affect employment growth. Individuals with experience in setting up computerized production systems and in high voltage products manufacturing will be in demand.
he current workforce is older, on average, than the provincial workforce generally. There will be a significant number of job opportunities arising because of retirements in the next few years.
A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in Winnipeg. Across industries, the greatest concentration of electrical and electronics engineers is in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (36%), followed byUtilities (26%), and Manufacturing (26%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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Other Related Information...
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