What does an electrical engineer do?

 What is an Electrical Engineer?

Electrical engineering dates back to the late 19th century, and is one of the newer branches of engineering. The field of electronics was born with the invention of the thermionic valve diode vacuum tube in 1904 by John Ambrose Fleming, and was the foundation of all electronics, including radios, television and radar, until the mid-20th century.

Electrical engineering is concerned with the technology of electricity and specifically deals with electricity, electro-magnetism and electronics. It also covers power, control systems, telecommunications and signal processing.

An electrical engineer is someone who applies the physics and mathematics of electricity, electromagnetism and electronics to design and develop new electrical equipment and systems, to solve problems and to test equipment. The emergence of the modern age is noted by the introduction of electricity to homes, businesses and industry, all of which were made possible by electrical engineers.

Some of the most important pioneers in electrical engineering include Thomas Edison (electric light bulb), George Westinghouse (alternating current), Nikola Tesla (induction motor), Guglielmo Marconi (radio) and Philo T. Farnsworth (television). Innovative ideas and concepts were turned into practical devices and systems that paved the way to what we have and use today.

Present-day electrical engineers work on various projects, from designing household appliances to designing large-scale electrical telecommunication systems, electrical power stations and satellite communications systems.

What does an Electrical Engineer do?

Electrical engineers work on a variety of projects, such as computers, robots, cell phones, cards, radars, navigation systems, wiring and lighting in buildings and other kinds of electrical systems. More and more, electrical engineers are relying on computer-aided design (CAD) systems for the creation of schematics and to lay out circuits, and they use computers to simulate how electrical devices and systems will function.

Electrical engineers work in various industries and the skills required also vary. These skills can range from basic circuit theory to those required to be a project manager. The tools and equipment that an electrical engineer may need are also variable, and can range from a straightforward voltmeter to a top end analyzer to advanced design and manufacturing software.

An electrical engineer's job duties may require:

• Evaluating electrical systems, products, components, and applications
• Designing and conducting research programs
• Applying knowledge of electricity and materials
• Confirming system's and components' capabilities by designing testing methods and properties
• Developing electrical products by studying customer requirements
• Researching and testing manufacturing and assembly methods and materials
• Developing manufacturing processes by designing and modifying equipment
• Assuring product quality by designing electrical testing methods
• Testing finished products and system capabilities
• Preparing product reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends
• Providing engineering information by answering questions and requests
• Maintaining product and company reputation by complying with federal and state regulations
• Maintaining product data base by writing computer programs and entering data

There are many sub-disciplines of electrical engineering. Some electrical engineers specialize exclusively in one sub-discipline, while others specialize in a combination of sub-disciplines. The most popular sub-disciplines are:

Electronic Engineer

Electronic engineers research, design, create, and test electronic systems and components to be used in areas such as telecommunications, acoustics, aerospace guidance, and propulsion control, or instruments and controls. This career is very similar to that of an electrical engineer - both careers are used interchangeably in the United States. The main difference is specialization. While electrical engineers take care of entire electrical systems, electronics engineers hone in on the smaller parts, such as individual computers, electronic circuits, resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors and diodes and use their knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties.

Microelectronics Engineer

Microelectronics is a subfield of electronics and relates to the study and microfabrication of very small electronic designs and circuit components typically made from semiconductor materials. Many components of normal electronic design are also available in a microelectronic equivalent which can include transistors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes, insulators and conductors. Microelectronics engineers use specialized equipment and unique wiring techniques such as wire bonding because of the unusually small size of the components, leads and pads. As techniques have improved, the scale of microelectronic components has continued to decrease, therefore, the impact of circuit properties such as interconnections may become of more interest. The goal of the microelectronics engineer is to find ways to minimize these 'parasitic' effects, while delivering smaller, faster, and cheaper devices.

Signal Processing Engineer

A signal processing engineer analyzes and alters digital signals to make them more accurate and reliable. Responsibilities include developing, managing and updating digital signals, and creating algorithms to process them more efficiently. A signal processing engineer can work in areas such as image processing, speech processing, pattern recognition, chip designing, radio frequency designs, biomedical signal processing, and space and military applications including satellite and mobile communications. Efficient use of signals arises from implementing precise algorithms coded in software packages with concise steps and real-time outputs. Engineers need to develop the steps needed, provide the specifications, design the processor which acts like the machine, and simulate the system pre-hand before the fabrication.

Power Engineer

A power engineer, also called a power systems engineer, deals with a subfield of electrical engineering that involves the generation, transmission, distribution and utilization of electric power, along with the electrical equipment associated with these systems (such as transformers, generators, motors and power electronics). Although much of a power engineer's focus is concerned with the issues faced with three-phase AC power, another area of focus is concerned with the conversion between AC and DC power and the evolution of specific power systems like those used in aircraft or for electric railway networks. Power engineers draw the majority of their theoretical base from electrical engineering.

Control Engineer

Control engineering, or control systems engineering, is typically taught along with electrical engineering at many universities, and specifically focuses on implementation of control systems obtained by mathematical modeling of a wide range of systems. This type of engineering discipline uses the automatic control theory to design controllers that cause systems to behave in a certain way, using micro-controllers, programmable logic controllers, digital signal processors and electrical circuits. By using detectors and sensors to measure the output performance of the controlled process and provide corrective feedback, desired performance can be achieved.

Telecommunications Engineer

Telecommunications engineering is a discipline centred on electrical and computer engineering which attempts to assist and improve telecommunication systems. A telecommunications engineer's work will range from doing basic circuit design, providing high-speed data transmission services, and overseeing the installation of telecommunications equipment (such as electronic switching systems, optical fibre cabling, IP networks, and microwave transmission systems). They use an assortment of equipment and transport media in order to design the network infrastructure (such as twisted pair, coaxial cables, and optical fibres) and provide solutions for wireless modes of communication and information transfer, such as wireless telephone services, radio and satellite communications, and internet and broadband technologies.

Instrumentation Engineer

Instrumentation engineering finds its origin in both electrical and electronics engineering and deals with the design of measuring devices for pressure, flow and temperature. In short, this field deals with measurement, automation and control processes which involves a deep understanding of physics. Instrumentation engineers develop new and intelligent sensors, smart transducers, MEMS Technology, and Blue tooth Technology. One can find instrumentation engineers working at almost all process and manufacturing industries involved with steel, oil, petrochemical, power and defense production.

Computer Engineer

Most universities offer computer engineering as either a degree, sub-discipline of electrical engineering, or offer a dual degree in both electrical and computer engineering. Computer engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, computer circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers, microchips, and other electronic components. They specialize in areas like digital systems, operating systems, computer networks, etc. Computer engineering attempts to match digital devices with software to meet the scientific, technological, and administrative needs of business and industry.

What is the workplace of an Electrical Engineer like?

Electrical engineers usually work in a lab, an office, a mine or in industrial plants. An electrical engineer usually can pursue a technical career in any industry. They usually supervise computer programmers, electricians, scientists and other engineers. A typical work week is composed of 40 hours although there might be some overtime to meet deadlines.

An electrical engineer also spends a lot of time doing project management, such as meeting with clients, determining budgets and preparing project schedules. Engineering projects usually require written documentation, so strong writing and communication skills are important.