Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Background
Equipment such as radar, missile guidance systems, and communication equipment depends on advanced electronics. Electrical and electronics engineers direct equipment installation and repair. Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, and test electrical and electronic equipment.
What They Do
Electrical and electronics engineers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Design and develop test instruments
- Develop test standards and operating instructions for electrical and electronic systems
- Direct equipment installation and repair
- Direct research to improve and develop computer, navigation, and other electronic systems
- Review test data, report results, and recommend actions
- Test new or modified equipment to check its performance and reliability
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A four-year college degree in electrical, electronic, or communications engineering is required to enter this career.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in engineering concepts and principles
- Interest in planning and directing research projects
- Interest in working with mathematical formulas
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Electrical and electronics engineers usually work in offices while planning research studies and designing electronic systems. They may work outdoors when overseeing the installation of new equipment.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Initial job training is usually provided on the job. Classroom training is provided for some specialties in this career.
Course content typically includes:
- Combat and tactical systems and networks
- Weapons systems electronics
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian electrical and electronics engineers work for manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment. Many work for government agencies, public utilities, and engineering firms. Civilian electrical and electronics engineers perform duties similar to those performed in the military. However, they usually specialize in product areas, such as computers, communications, or aerospace systems. They may also be called electronics design engineers and electronics test engineers.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 1,000 electrical and electronics engineers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new engineers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, electrical and electronics engineers are usually assigned to engineering research and development units or to communications centers. Initially, they conduct studies and supervise research and development staff. With experience, they may advance to senior management positions, such as engineering staff officer, or research and development manager.