Conceptualizes, assembles, and tests electronic systems and equipment as an electronic engineering technician. He or she assists an electronic engineer in fine-tuning product designs to ensure that they function as efficiently as possible. During the testing phase, technicians also make careful calculations and keep meticulous records, and they produce finalized reports that summarize the results. Research and development (R&D) companies and electronic equipment manufacturing plants employ the majority of technicians.
To build and test products, electronic engineering technicians usually work in teams with other professionals. A team of technicians is tasked with developing a working prototype after an engineer completes the schematics for a particular product or system. The team may collaborate on an entire prototype or work on different aspects of construction separately. Additional responsibilities for an experienced electronic engineering technician may include consulting with an engineer to create original blueprints and computer models.
In their work, technicians employ a wide range of tools and techniques. Electrical circuitry expertise is required to complete assembly tasks accurately, efficiently, and safely. Splicing and soldering wires, directing electrical currents, and calculating voltages are all skills that a technician must have. Oscilloscopes, voltmeters, ammeters, and timing guns are among the tools used by an electronic engineering technician. The ingenuity of skilled electronic engineering technicians is responsible for a wide range of consumer electronics, computer systems, and medical devices.
To ensure that the prototypes work properly, they are put through a series of tests. If a problem arises, an electronic engineering technician will attempt to troubleshoot the issue and, if possible, repair the device. Engineers are alerted to problems and informed so that appropriate design changes can be made. A worker can document results in a technical report after a prototype passes all tests and quality control inspections. R&D supervisors review reports and approve the start of mass production.
A degree from an accredited community college or vocational school can be pursued by someone who wants to start a career in electronic engineering. Electronic engineering is a two-year program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience with the tools of the trade. A prospective technician can work for consumer electronics manufacturers, R&D firms, government agencies, and third-party product testing companies after earning a degree. A skilled electronic engineering technician may be able to advance to a supervisory position and lead teams of other technicians on important projects with experience.