electrical engineer.

Electrical engineers have a wide range of responsibilities, which vary depending on their workplace and area of specialization. However, there are certain tasks that are common across the board, such as:

• Electrical design engineer: responsible for the planning of all electrical projects within the company. The design process begins with preliminary sketches of electrical systems on paper. During this phase, they prepare budgets and procure all essential equipment and components needed for the projects. They also hold meetings with investors and clients to discuss and agree on budgets, system specifications, technical requirements, and other related matters.
• Project development: the electrical engineer ensures that projects are completed on time and function as expected. After developing the blueprints, they implement the designs using computer-aided design (CAD) software and oversee their development. Once prototypes are created, they test their performance and carry out any necessary modifications.
• Electrical system management and maintenance: In addition to developing new systems, an electrical engineer is responsible for operating existing electrical systems. It is expected that they perform regular inspections to ensure all electrical systems comply with global safety standards and regulations. Depending on their job description, they may also carry out routine maintenance and updates to ensure the electrical systems operate efficiently.
• Report preparation and research: electrical engineers are responsible for collecting data on system usage, performance, and customer feedback. Based on this information, they compile and present reports. Additionally, electrical engineers conduct research and develop new technologies in development laboratories, such as biotechnology, medical, and computer laboratories.
• product quality assurance: the electrical engineer ensures that electronic products and systems operate according to specifications. They also verify that electrical systems perform all functions smoothly. Sometimes, manufacturers need to design testing methods for electrical systems to assess their performance. They conduct tests on finished products and evaluate the capabilities of the systems.

Since electrical engineers work in various industries, their work environments are unique. Most of the time, they work indoors during project planning, design, budgeting, and meetings. The manufacturing of electrical systems also takes place indoors at workstations and laboratories. However, there are special tasks that require outdoor work. These environments are high-risk because they often involve contact with electrical currents. High-risk environments include factories, power plants, and research laboratories.

Depending on the industry you work in, you may collaborate with heavy machinery operators, electricians, electronics technicians, HVAC specialists, automotive electricians, maintenance managers, industrial electricians, robotics engineers, and mechanical engineers. Sometimes, you might also work alongside electronics engineers, telecommunications engineers, and other professionals such as project managers, civil engineers, aerospace engineers, or software managers.

Electrical engineers typically have a continuous but often segmented work schedule. For example, they might design a project in the morning and then switch to testing or maintaining a different project in the afternoon. However, this can lead to interruptions in the workflow, especially when multiple projects are ongoing simultaneously. On average, they work around 40 hours per week. Overtime is also common to meet project deadlines.

In large corporations, electrical engineers work in shifts to ensure that a qualified professional is always available on site. While most electrical engineers work full-time, project based electrical engineers often have more flexible schedules. This is because they need to balance their time between project work and travel. Both consultants and contractors typically work part-time, sometimes for different companies. Remote work is only available to consultants.

Electrical engineering skills are essential across nearly all production and manufacturing sectors. When considering individual growth potential, skills, education, and experience levels are key factors in achieving success. Highly knowledgeable and reputable engineers often advance to leadership positions within their industry or company. They may also start their own consulting firm, establish a business, or work as freelance electrical engineers.

There are several advantages to working with a Randstad consultant when searching for an electrical engineer position:

• a consultant with in-depth knowledge of the technical engineering sector of the labor market supports the selection process
• you can find a wide range of job opportunities on our website
• whether you're looking for a fixed-term or indefinite position, we help you find the job that best fits you

To enter the profession, at least a basic electrical engineering degree is required, which is available at all technical universities. During master's studies, there are also opportunities to specialize in various fields.

It's advisable to participate in internships during your studies so you can gain as much experience as possible before starting your job search.

You must be familiar with all relevant theories and their applications to ensure the success of design, manufacturing, and safe engineering projects. This includes mathematics, circuit design, project development, and maintenance of electrical systems. Beyond engineering fundamentals, you need to be able to execute projects efficiently. Essential skills include sketching, designing, and preparing budgets for both large and small projects.

An electrical engineer needs to be a good leader. They must ensure that engineers and technicians perform their tasks properly and meet deadlines. Additionally, strong communication skills are essential: electrical engineers collaborate with colleagues and professionals from other fields, such as clients, so they must be able to simplify technical terminology and communicate other details in an understandable way.

Issues often arise during engineering work. That's why having strong problem-solving abilities is essential for resolving problems and troubleshooting effectively.

An electrical engineer works across various industries' production and manufacturing processes. They design, develop, test, repair, and install electrical systems, as well as perform ongoing maintenance and updates to keep the systems running smoothly.

A career in electrical engineering is a well-paying profession. You can see the average salary for an experienced professional in our salary calculator. Additionally, specializing further can lead to even higher earnings.

A career in electrical engineering can be a great choice for those who are passionate about electrical systems or the development and management of systems.

Most people consider electrical engineering to be extremely challenging. The field is generally demanding because it requires a lot of abstract thinking and strong scientific and mathematical skills.

A electrical engineer needs a bachelor's degree to work, and afterwards, they can pursue a master's degree or specialize further.

Applying for an electrical engineering position is easy: create your profile on Randstad, and browse our job offers near you. Once logged in, you can apply with just one click for the opportunity that interests you directly through our website!