What Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians Do

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment.

Duties

Electrical engineering technicians typically do the following:

• Put together electrical and electronic systems and prototypes
• Build, calibrate, and repair electrical instruments or testing equipment
• Visit construction sites to observe conditions affecting design
• Identify solutions to technical design problems that arise during construction of electrical systems
• Inspect designs for quality control, report findings, and make recommendations
• Draw diagrams and write specifications to clarify design details of experimental electronics units
• Install and maintain electrical control systems and equipment
• Set up test equipment and evaluate the performance of developmental parts, assemblies, or systems under simulated conditions
• Analyze test information to resolve design-related problems
• Modify electrical prototypes, parts, and assemblies to correct problems

Electronic engineering technicians typically do the following:

• Under engineers' direction, design basic circuitry and draft sketches to clarify details of design documentation
• Build prototypes from rough sketches or plans
• Put together, test, and maintain circuitry or electronic components according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, and knowledge of electronics
• Adjust and replace defective circuitry and electronics components
• Make parts, such as coils and terminal boards, by using bench lathes, drills, or other machine tools
• Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers to get replacement parts
• Do preventative maintenance and calibration of equipment and systems
• Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, and engineering instructions for putting together electronics units
• As assistants to engineers, write reports and record data on testing techniques, laboratory equipment, and specifications

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition