Electronics Engineering Technician

Do you enjoy tinkering with blueprints and designs? Do you find satisfaction in unraveling complicated problems to find intricate, yet workable solutions? If so, you may be cut out for a career as an electronics engineering technician.

An ideal opportunity for logical thinkers with an affinity for mathematics and mechanical projects, electronics engineering technology covers a growing range of industries and work settings, making it possible for professionals to pursue niche areas of interest. This field may be competitive, but many technicians thrive on the industry's built-in challenges—and they're proud to make a discernible difference in several of today's most cutting-edge areas of technology.

What Is an Electronics Engineering Technician?

Electronics engineering technicians play a key role in developing, maintaining, and repairing electronic components and systems. Most work in teams, typically under the supervision of electronics engineers or other supervisors.

While technicians can handle a broad range of tasks, their chief efforts often involve evaluating and testing products or systems to determine where problems lie—and how they can be resolved. Increasingly, electronics engineering technicians also play a crucial role in developing, deploying, and troubleshooting automated systems.

The field's scope may currently be expanding, but technicians can take confidence in knowing that their future work will involve what they love best: troubleshooting and problem-solving guided by a logical mindset and mechanical skills.

Job Responsibilities of an Electronics Engineering Technician

Specific job responsibilities tied to electronics engineering technology can vary based on the industry and setting. In general, however, these employees can expect to fulfill the following duties during a typical day on the job:

• Conduct quality control by inspecting designs and reporting findings
• Identify equipment malfunctions
• Develop prototypes based on rough sketches
• Modify prototypes as needed to solve problems observed in quality control inspections
• Develop specifications to highlight design details for experimental units
• Conduct preventative maintenance services for key systems
• Record and report on data involving lab equipment and testing techniques

Career Outlook for Electronics Engineering Technicians

The field of electronics engineering technology is highly competitive, as evidenced by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to BLS projections, the field will see little change in employment numbers between 2018 and 2028. Currently, the BLS highlights 130,500 nationwide jobs in electrical and electronics engineering technology.

While limited growth may spark concern among aspiring electronics engineering technicians, job outlook may vary significantly depending on the capacity in which these employees work. For example, while fewer technician jobs may be available with the federal government in years to come, employment with engineering firms could expand as corporate clients look to cut costs via contract services.

Those determined to succeed in this competitive field can gain an edge by obtaining a bachelor's degree and specializing in the niche areas expected to see the fastest growth in the next few years. For example, technicians involved with the computer systems design services industry will see considerable demand driven by the development of automation systems and other applications. If equipped with the right credentials, it's more than possible for electronics engineering technicians to find stable, lucrative, and interesting positions that produce long-term job satisfaction.

What Can I Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology?

A Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Bryant & Stratton College represents an exciting opportunity to get a head start in a competitive, but desirable field. Through a strategic blend of technical instruction and hands-on training, this program produces the elite skills needed to succeed as an electronics engineering technician. It also gives students the ability to transition to several adjacent professions, if desired.

The Electronic Engineering Technology program at Bryant & Stratton aims to provide students with a solid understanding of core engineering concepts and methodologies. Upon graduating, aspiring electronics engineering technicians should be able to design and deploy complex components or systems while adeptly handling the numerous constraints they might later encounter within the field. While many of these abilities can be gained through courses that emphasize electronics or analytical mathematics, practicums are just as important.

This degree program provides thorough preparation not only for the technical elements of electronics engineering technology, but also such essentials as written and verbal communication, critical thinking, leadership, and more. These soft skills are crucial in a field that relies on effective teamwork.

Upon earning your bachelor's degree, you can confidently apply for a variety of positions involving contracting firms, manufacturing companies, or government agencies. While most of these jobs will carry the label electronics engineering technician, some may be referred to as electronic calibration technician or electromechanical field service technician.

Additional Training/Requirements

Most electronics engineering technician jobs mandate a minimum of an associate degree, with many employers expressing a strong preference for candidates equipped with bachelor's degrees. This is an important credential for aspiring electronics engineering technicians, but it is by no means the only form of training or certification available. Other efforts can also prove valuable. Exams, in particular, demonstrate proficiency in several key areas.

Electronics engineering technicians increasingly look to the CompTIA A+ and Network+ exams to verify their ability to handle today's complex technologies. These certifications provide proof of knowledge in several important areas, including operating system configuration, Internet of Things (IoT) hardware, data backup, and more. Employers feel more confident in hiring professionals who can handle new technologies—especially as these tools and systems are integrated into everyday electronics engineering tasks.

Employment Settings for Electronics Engineering Technicians

Electronics engineering technicians can be employed in a wide variety of industries and departments. Engineering services tend to dominate and may prove a key source of employment in the next few years. Many electronics engineering technicians serve as contractors for such firms, visiting various companies as needed to provide affordable service.

Manufacturing is a key area of employment for electronics engineering technicians. Specifically, many are involved in the production of semiconductors, as well as navigational and electromedical instruments. Additional areas of employment highlighted by the BLS include merchant wholesalers and the federal government.

While the right degree and certifications can give you a significant edge as you seek a job in one of today's most exciting, yet competitive fields, Bryant & Stratton College can provide no guarantee of employment. Still, it's worth your while to develop the broad range of skills that are currently critical to success in electronics engineering technology. Your efforts as a Bryant & Stratton student could pay off both immediately after graduation and years—even decades—later.

If you think a career as an Electronics Engineering Technician may be right for you, you can find more detailed information on this field by visiting the technology section on the Bryant & Stratton College blog. There you'll find further career insights to help you plan your career path into the world of technology.