Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications
Analyze customer needs and determine electrical system requirements, capacity, and cost to develop a system plan
Develop maintenance and testing procedures for electronic components and equipment
Evaluate systems and recommend design modifications or equipment repair
Inspect electronic equipment, instruments, and systems to make sure they meet safety standards and applicable regulations
Plan and develop applications and modifications for electronic properties used in parts and systems to improve technical performance
Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems, from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPS). Many also work in areas closely related to computer hardware.
Electronics engineers who work for the federal government research, develop, and evaluate electronic devices used in a variety of areas, such as aviation, computing, transportation, and manufacturing. They work on federal electronic devices and systems, including satellites, flight systems, radar and sonar systems, and communications systems. The work of electrical engineers and electronics engineers is often similar. Both use engineering and design software and equipment to do engineering tasks. Both types of engineers also must work with other engineers to discuss existing products and possibilities for engineering projects.
Half of these engineers reported annual incomes ranging from $72,510 to $114,260. The mean salary of an electronics engineer in 2011 was $94,670 a year, and the average hourly wage was $45.51 per hour.