Science & ResearchISCO 2151

Electrical engineer

An electrical engineer is a person who designs and develops electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors and equipment that transmits power.

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Rate 5 of the 42 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

interpret circuit diagrams

design electrical systems

automotive engineering

maintain electrical engines

adjust engineering designs

About electrical engineer

An electrical engineer may be engaged on large projects, such as designing and maintaining a power station and the distribution of energy from it, or on much smaller applications, down to a household appliance. The engineer designs electrical power systems, covering generation, transformation, protection and the distribution network itself, and printed circuit boards are designed where the application is electronic. The engineer produces design drawings and revises them as a project develops.

The engineer also works with electrical drives and automation technology: a motor is specified together with the drive that controls it and the automation that tells the drive what to do, and all three have to suit the load. Electrical engineering and engineering principles are the knowledge base, and the engineer uses them to calculate rather than to estimate, since an undersized conductor or an incorrectly set protection device puts people at risk.

The engineer ensures the safety of electrical power operations both at the design stage and during commissioning. Licensing to design and sign off electrical installations is set by national rules.

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

Problem SolvingAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Transdisciplinary ThinkingIntermediate

CommunicationIntermediate

CollaborationIntermediate

Digital FluencyIntermediate

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European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (42)

sustainable technologiessustainable technologiesTechnologies with the aim of reducing environmental and ecological risks, achieving at the same time, a positive economic, social, and environmental impact. They are innovative technologies designed t...battery management systemsbattery management systemsThe electronic system that manages and monitors the performance of a battery.electricity principleselectricity principlesElectricity is created when electric current flows along a conductor. It entails the movement of free electrons between atoms. The more free electrons are present in a material, the better this materi...engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.electrical equipment regulationselectrical equipment regulationsThe national and international regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electrical equipment on the workfloor. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general ri...electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...electric motorselectric motorsMotors which are able to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.design drawingsdesign drawingsThe drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.electrical instrumentation engineeringelectrical instrumentation engineeringThe way in which electrical and instrumentation engineering (E and I engineering) modernises the production infrastructure from design to preparation of execution phase and the execution phase itself ...smart grids systemssmart grids systemsSmart grids are a digital electricity network. The system involves the electronic digital control of production, distribution and use of electricity, information management of the components and energ...artificial lighting systemsartificial lighting systemsTypes of artificial lighting and their power consumption. HF fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, natural daylight and programmed control systems allow an efficient use of energy.electric driveselectric drivesElectromechanical systems that utilise electric motors to control the movement and processes of electrical machinery.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.electrical testing methodselectrical testing methodsTest procedures performed on electrical equipment and machinery in order to check the performance and quality of the electrical equipment and their adherence to specifications. During these tests elec...electric generatorselectric generatorsThe principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.power engineeringpower engineeringSubdiscipline of energy and electrical engineering which specialises in the generation, transmission, distribution, and usage of electrical power through the connection of electrical devices to motors...computer technologycomputer technologyComputers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment that can store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data.electrical equipment componentselectrical equipment componentsThe essential components of a certain electrical product, such as electrical wires, circuit breakers, and switches.roboticsroboticsThe branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and over...electrical wiring diagramselectrical wiring diagramsThe visual schematic representation of an electrical circuit, its components, and the connections between these components.integrated designintegrated designApproach to design which includes several related disciplines, with the aim to design and build according to the Near Zero Energy Building principles. The interplay between all aspects of building des...automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.interpret circuit diagramsinterpret circuit diagramsRead and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.design electrical systemsdesign electrical systemsDraft sketches and design electrical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. Draw panel arrangement layouts, electrical schematics, electrical wirin...automotive engineeringautomotive engineeringThe discipline of engineering that combines mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering to design motor vehicles such as trucks, vans and automobiles.maintain electrical enginesmaintain electrical enginesUnderstanding of electrical circuits and being able to repair. Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.ensure safety in electrical power operationsensure safety in electrical power operationsMonitor and control operations on an electrical power transmission and distribution system in order to ensure that major risks are controlled and prevented, such as electrocution risks, damage to prop...adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.design smart gridsdesign smart gridsDesign and calculate the smart grid system, based on heat load, duration curves, energy simulations etc.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.model electromagnetic productsmodel electromagnetic productsModel and simulate the designed electromagnets or products utilising electromagnetism using technical design software. Assess the viability of the product and examine the physical parameters to ensure...use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.design circuit boardsdesign circuit boardsDraught circuit boards used in electronic product such as cell phones and computers, make sure to include integrated circuits and microchips in the design.assemble electromechanical systemsassemble electromechanical systemsPut together electromechanical equipment and machinery according to specifications.design electric power systemsdesign electric power systemsConstruct generation plants, distribution stations and systems and transmission lines to get energy and new technology where it needs to go. Use high tech equipment, research, maintenance and repair t...abide by regulations on banned materialsabide by regulations on banned materialsComply with regulations banning heavy metals in solder, flame retardants in plastics, and phthalate plasticisers in plastics and wiring harness insulations, under EU RoHS/WEEE Directives and China RoH...design electromechanical systemsdesign electromechanical systemsDraft sketches and design electromechanical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment.define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...perform smart grid feasibility studyperform smart grid feasibility studyPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a smart grid within the project. Realise a standardised study to determine the energy saving contribution, costs and restrictions, and conduct...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.perform energy simulationsperform energy simulationsReplicate the building's energy performance by running computer based, mathematical models.

Optional (65) — show

battery designbattery designThe techniques used to design batteries, characterise their properties and performance, including electrochemical analysis and physical measurements, as well as to devise the integration of various co...Visual BasicVisual BasicThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Visual Basic.instrumentation equipmentinstrumentation equipmentThe equipment and instruments used for the monitoring and controlling of processes, such as valves, regulators, circuit breakers, and relays.CAM softwareCAM softwareDifferent tools for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpie...integrated circuitsintegrated circuitsElectronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a m...electric heating systemselectric heating systemsElectric heating systems contribute to indoor comfort and energy saving under the right conditions (low frequency use, or very highly insulated buildings). They include InfraRed and electric floor/wal...precision mechanicsprecision mechanicsPrecision or fine mechanics is a subdiscipline in engineering that focuses on the design and development of smaller precision machines.engineering control theoryengineering control theoryThe interdisciplinary branch of engineering that deals with the behaviour of dynamical systems with inputs and how their behaviour is modified by feedback.electromagnetismelectromagnetismThe study of electromagnetic forces and the interaction between electric and magnetic fields. The interaction between electrically charged particles can create magnetic fields with a certain range or ...mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...PHPPHPThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in PHP.Assembly (computer programming)Assembly (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Assembly.microelectronicsmicroelectronicsMicroelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.hardware componentshardware componentsThe essential components that make up a hardware system, such as liquid-crystal displays (LCD), camera sensors, microprocessors, memories, modems, batteries and their interconnections.combined heat and power generationcombined heat and power generationTechnology that generates electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide steam or hot water, that can be used for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and industrial...RRThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in R.biotechnologybiotechnologyThe technology that uses, modifies or harnesses biological systems, organisms and cellular components to develop new technologies and products for specific uses.hardware materialshardware materialsThe characteristics, applications and environmental effects of materials used to develop hardware.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.environmental legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.Objective-CObjective-CThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Objective-C.mini wind power generationmini wind power generationMini wind turbines for electricity generation on-site (on roofs etc.), and their contribution to energy performance.hybrid control systemshybrid control systemsControl systems containing both subsystems with continuous dynamics as well as subsystems with discrete dynamics.nanotechnologynanotechnologyTechnologies, science, and engineering activities conducted on a nanoscale, where material or extremely small components are manipulated on an atomic, molecular, or supramolecular scale.domestic cooling systemsdomestic cooling systemsThe modern and traditional cooling systems such as air conditioning, ventilation, or radiant cooling, and their energy saving principles.electromagnetselectromagnetsMagnets in which magnetic fields are produced by electric current. By manipulating the electric current, the magnetic fields can be changed and manipulated as well, which allows more control than perm...electromagnetic spectrumelectromagnetic spectrumThe different electromagnetic wavelenghts or frequencies that are situated on the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelenghts are divided in several categories according to their wavelength and energy level...electrical wiring planselectrical wiring plansPictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the...VBScriptVBScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in VBScript.product data managementproduct data managementThe use of software to track all information concerning a product such as technical specifications, drawings, design specifications, and production costs.optoelectronicsoptoelectronicsBranch of electronics and optics dedicated to the study and use of electronic devices that detect and control light.microsensorsmicrosensorsDevices with a size smaller than 1 mm that can convert a non-electric signal, such as temperature, into an electrical signal. Because of their size, microsensors offer better accuracy, range, and sens...mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.electrical machineselectrical machinesElectrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating...monitor machine operationsmonitor machine operationsObserving machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.create electrical wiring diagramcreate electrical wiring diagramDraw the details of electrical circuits in order to aid construction workers with the erection and instalment of electrical wiring in building structures.align software with system architecturesalign software with system architecturesPut system design and technical specifications in line with software architecture in order to ensure the integration and interoperability between components of the system.perform data analysisperform data analysisCollect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.assemble hardware componentsassemble hardware componentsAssemble the necessary hardware components, such as the motherboard, Central Processing Unit (CPU), hard drive, disk drive, power supply unit, RAM, PCI card, mouse, keyboard, cameras and other necessa...test electromechanical systemstest electromechanical systemsTest electromechanical systems, machines, and components using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.test sensorstest sensorsTest sensors using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.design an electric heating systemdesign an electric heating systemDesign the details of electric heating systems. Calculate the needed capacity for space heating under given conditions complying with available electrical power supply.model electromechanical systemsmodel electromechanical systemsModel and simulate an electromechanical system, product, or component so that an assessment can be made of the viability of the product and so the physical parameters can be examined before the actual...test microelectronicstest microelectronicsTest microelectronics using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.analyse test dataanalyse test dataInterpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.design electromagnetsdesign electromagnetsDesign and develop conducting electromagnets or products and machines using electromagnetism, such as loudspeakers and MRI machines. Make sure the requirements for performance, reliability, and manufa...perform a feasibility study on combined heat and powerperform a feasibility study on combined heat and powerPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of combined heat and power (CHP). Realise a standardised study to determine technical demands, regulation and costs. Estimate the needed electric...use precision toolsuse precision toolsUse electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.model hardwaremodel hardwareModel and simulate computer hardware using technical design software. Assess the viability of the product and examine the physical parameters to ensure a successful production process.select sustainable technologies in designselect sustainable technologies in designProduce a holistic design, which includes passive measures that are complemented by active technologies in a sensible way.install operating systeminstall operating systemInstall the operating system (OS) or software that manages the software resources and computer hardware on a computer system. The operating system is an essential component of any computer system and ...manage system testingmanage system testingSelect, perform and track testings on software or hardware to detect system defects both within the integrated system units, the inter-assemblages and the system as a whole. Organise testings such as ...program firmwareprogram firmwareProgram permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.operate precision machineryoperate precision machineryOperate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.design a mini wind power systemdesign a mini wind power systemDesign the mini wind power system, including batteries and power inverters, in coherence with other power supply sources, and the construction strength for placing mini turbine.prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.assess financial viabilityassess financial viabilityRevise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Asse...process customer ordersprocess customer ordersHandle orders placed by customers. Receive the customer order and define a list of requirements, a working process, and a time frame. Execute the work as planned.instruct on energy saving technologiesinstruct on energy saving technologiesInstruct the facility manager or similar figures on monitoring parameters, to guarantee that the system achieves the designed energy saving goals.analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.design user interfacedesign user interfaceCreate software or device components which enable interaction between humans and systems or machines, using appropriate techniques, languages and tools so as to streamline interaction while using the ...design sensorsdesign sensorsDesign and develop different types of sensors according to specifications, such as vibration sensors, heat sensors, optical sensors, humidity sensors, and electric current sensors.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an electrical engineer do?

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors, and equipment with the feature of energy transmission. They engage in large scale projects such as the design and maintenance of power stations, and the distribution of power to smaller applications such as household appliances.

What skills does an electrical engineer need?

An electrical engineer needs 42 essential skills, including sustainable technologies, battery management systems, electricity principles, engineering principles, electrical equipment regulations.

Will AI replace electrical engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for electrical engineer is 43/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: product data management, test sensors, electricity principles. Most resilient: electricity, electromagnetic spectrum, electric motors.