What Is an Electrical Engineering Technician?

As we mentioned, electrical engineering technicians help engineers design and develop electronic equipment by applying electronic theory and technical knowledge toward testing and evaluation of an electrical or electronic product.

Electrical engineering technicians may help engineers with drafting designs and diagrams, documenting design specifications, product testing and other manufacturing, development and deployment tests. They can work in a quality assurance capacity, running diagnostics for the products or machines to identify problems, and may also assist with repairing machines or assembling equipment.

In general, electrical engineering technicians work to build, repair and maintain the electrical products and systems within a company or organization. Depending on the industry they’re working in, day-to-day tasks for an electrical engineering technician might include:

• Drafting clear design sketches under the supervision of a senior engineer
• Building prototypes that are to scale and according to specifications
• Inspect designs for quality control and recommend necessary changes
• Diagnosing and repairing malfunctioning systems
• Performing routine electronic device maintenance
• Reading and interpreting blueprints and diagrams
• Installing new equipment and electrical system upgrades when needed

The particular skills needed to pursue a career as an electrical engineering technician may vary depending on the company and the industry, but in general, attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, an interest in working with electronic devices and systems and the ability to read and understand technical diagrams may come in handy for those looking to pursue a career in electrical engineering.

Electrical engineering technicians may need to have developed their skills in mathematics, engineering principles and practices, as well as their mechanical skills, just to name a few. Those preparing to pursue a career in this field may also need to develop soft skills such as communication critical thinking and adaptability.

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as an electrical engineering technician, you may also need to get familiar with computer aided design (CAD), mathematics or optimization software that may be used in the electronics engineering field such as Autodesk, MATLAB or ETAP.

A good place to begin your journey toward becoming an electrical engineering technician is with your education. According to the BLS, electrical engineering technicians typically need an Associate Degree in Engineering Technology to pursue entry-level employment¹. Other credentials, such as industry certifications and licenses may be options to those working in the field, should they choose to pursue them.