Engineering

Career Overview

Electronics is the technology concerned with the development and behaviour of electronic devices (computers, mobile phones) and circuits (memory chips, microprocessors), which make use of electronic components (transistors, capacitors).

An electronics engineer develops, designs, assembles and tests electronic systems, components and equipment, developing the way electricity is used to control equipment.

The work is usually carried out in cross-functional project management teams, with colleagues in research, design, production, testing, marketing and after-sales. Electronics engineers are involved at every stage of development.

Main areas of work include computer applications, control systems (from satellite tracking to domestic appliances), medical equipment, multimedia and telecommunications.

Work Activities

Electronics engineers work on a project through all stages: from the initial brief for a concept; through the design and development stage; to the testing of one or more prototypes; and through to final manufacture and implementation of a new product or system.

There are two main types of graduate electronic engineers. Chartered engineers (CEng) develop appropriate solutions to engineering problems using technological innovation and change, often specialising in research and development, or taking on leadership roles. Incorporated engineers (IEng) are usually involved in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating technology, and are engaged in technical and commercial management.

♣ Negotiating product requirements with customers

♣ Co-developing a project specification with colleagues, often from other engineering disciplines

♣ Testing theoretical designs

♣ Producing details of specifications and outline designs

♣ Systematically improving and changing the detailed design of a piece or pieces of electronic equipment, making sure that their performance meets a written specification

♣ Ensuring that a product will work with devices developed by others, can be made again reliably, and will perform consistently in specified operating environments

♣ Following defined development processes.

Entry requirements

A good honours degree is necessary, plus strong commercial and interpersonal skills. Relevant degree subjects include physical/mathematical/applied science and engineering. The following subjects may increase your chances:

♣ Electronic/electrical/aeronautical engineering

♣ Physics and applied physics

♣ Computer/computer-aided engineering

♣ Production/manufacturing engineering

♣ Mathematics and computer science/software engineering.

To work towards chartered engineer (CEng) status, you will need either:

♣ An accredited MEng degree

♣ An accredited Bachelor degree with honours, plus further learning to Masters level

♣ Or an accredited Bachelor degree with honours, started before 1 September 1999.

Pre-entry experience is not required, but a relevant placement is highly recommended. You might be able to count some of the experience gained during a sandwich placement towards qualifying for CEng status. Candidates who have been advised (under previous regulations) that they should complete a Matching Section should contact Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). To work towards incorporated engineer (IEng) status, you will need either:

♣ An accredited Bachelor degree

♣ An accredited Higher National qualification, plus further learning to Bachelor degree level

♣ Or an accredited Higher National qualification, started before 1 September 1999.

Training

An industry driven by innovation and dominated by products with short life cycles, you are expected to maintain your personal and professional competence by undertaking structured professional development. Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) expects its members to be able to demonstrate commitment to professional development. Most large firms offer structured training and encourage professional/chartered status. Companies usually offer in-service training and short courses for specific needs.

After graduation, you need to undertake a programme of initial professional development (IPD), with a mentor assigned to you to monitor your progress in the early stages of your engineering career. To gain chartered (CEng) or incorporated (IEng) status, you should ideally seek out employers who have accredited professional development schemes.

If your employer cannot provide broad training experience, check what arrangements they have in place. You may be able to choose a flexible development programme supported by your employer, or you may have to seek out the experiences that you need by yourself. After your initial training, you should be able to take on direct responsibility. To gain CEng or IEng status, you will need to submit a written qualifying report on professional development (QRPD) and satisfy an assessment panel that you have the skills, specialist knowledge and competence to practise as an engineer. It is usually possible to achieve CEng or IEng status within four to five years of graduation.

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