Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers design, build and maintain electrical systems, machinery and equipment in lots of different industries.
- Potential salary
- £27,000 starter to £58,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 35 to 40 a week. Working pattern: evenings occasionally.
- Career area
- Engineering
- Where they might work
- You could work in a factory, at a power station, in a workshop, at a research facility or in an office. Your working environment may be at height.
- A typical task
- draw up project plans and technical diagrams, using engineering design software
- Subjects that may help
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
- Typical route
- You can do a foundation degree or degree in electrical or electronic engineering. You may also be able to get into this career with a degree in: electromechanical engineering; building services engineering; applied physics; aeronautical engineering; mechatronics.
- Interest area used here
- Making, fixing and working outdoors
What you might do
- draw up project plans and technical diagrams, using engineering design software
- estimate costs and project timings
- test installations and systems, and analyse results
- make sure projects meet safety regulations
- co-ordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople
- oversee inspection and maintenance programmes
More tasks (3)
- develop battery storage systems that store renewable energy
- carry out audits to make electrical systems more energy efficient
- work on renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- complex problem-solving skills
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
More skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- persistence and determination
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- You can do a foundation degree or degree in electrical or electronic engineering. You may also be able to get into this career with a degree in: electromechanical engineering; building services engineering; applied physics; aeronautical engineering; mechatronics.
- Look out for courses that offer work experience opportunities during your studies, such as: internships; sandwich course placements; Easter and summer vacation schemes.
- These can give you an advantage when applying for jobs or graduate training schemes. Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Electrical and electronic engineering
Direct qualifying route. The standard degree route.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could do a higher national certificate or diploma in electrical and electronic engineering at college before looking for a trainee engineer position with a company.
- You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship, for example: Electrical or Electronic Technical Support Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship; Electro-Mechanical Engineer Level 6 Apprenticeship, which can lead to professional certification.
- These apprenticeships take up to 5 years to complete.
- You could start as an electrical engineering technician and do training on the job to become an engineer.
- You can apply for jobs if you've got qualifications and several years' experience in a related area of engineering, for example electronics or power generation.
Career progression
- You can work in many different industries, from power and renewable energy to transport, construction and manufacturing.
- You can improve your career prospects through professional registration.
- Registration can lead to senior roles in: project management; electrical design; engineering research and development; contracts management; consultancy services.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship