How to become an electrical engineer

Pathways to this career

1. Aspiring engineers must complete an undergraduate electrical engineering degree, with a major in electrical engineering.
2. Study a postgraduate course in engineering to further your chances of obtaining a management or project lead role.
3. Apply for a Professional Engineer's License and work independently as a contractor. Prerequisites include a completed bachelor of engineering, and at least 4 years of industry work experience.

What does an electrical engineer do?

Electrical engineers design electronics in a variety of capacities. They conduct research on and design electrical component, equipment, or systems. At times, they also must test and maintain the machinery or equipment they have developed.

Duties and tasks

• Design electrical components like cathode ray tubes, circuit breakers, or conductors.
• Develop larger electrical machinery like motors.
• Interpret research, drawings, specifications, and regulations to fit the problem at hand.
• May specialise in fields like air traffic control, power generation, traffic systems, consumer products, electric motors, etc.
• Plan, design, and maintain overall electrical systems or power distribution networks.
• Survey the operations of electrical systems and networks.

Industry bodies

• Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia
• Engineers Australia is the national forum for the advancement of engineering
• National Engineering Registration Board

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