What Does an Electrical Engineer Do?

If you know several engineers who work in different areas of the industry, you may be curious as to what motivated them to pursue their chosen career path. Engineering is a vast subject, and three of the top five jobs for 2020, according to Glassdoor's ranking of the 50 best jobs in America, are in the engineering profession. 

Electrical engineer is a job title that appears on the yearly Glassdoor list on a regular basis. Apart from the fact that the job pays well and the average working hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you might be wondering what electrical engineers perform on a daily basis that makes this line of work worthwhile.

What does an electrical engineer do daily?

Electrical engineers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), design and build electrical equipment that consumers and business owners use for a variety of functions. Electric motors, navigation systems, power production equipment, and a wide range of digital systems, such as smartphones, tablets, and other handheld personal gadgets, are all examples of goods that electrical engineers help bring to market.

While electrical engineering dates back to the late 1800s and the invention of the light bulb, the growth of digital and electrical systems in modern society has boosted its appeal, demand, and scope of application in recent years. According to a Gallup poll from 2018, 85 percent of Americans use navigational apps on a regular basis, while nearly three-quarters use video or music streaming services. In a more recent Gallup poll, 33 percent of Americans said they had tried digital health items, and 20 percent said they were using digital health apps.

Electrical engineers, in addition to contributing in the design and development of electronic equipment, may provide a variety of testing and supervision services during the production process, making all of these items possible. An electrical engineer can do some of the same functions as an electronic engineer in this way. According to Electronic Products, electrical and electronics engineering are commonly confused because they both include the usage and study of power creation. Scale is the most effective technique to distinguish between the two. Electronic engineers handle the micro by building the circuitry and components that all of those products and systems require to function properly, whereas electrical engineers focus on the macro – the large-scale factors involved in the transmission, reception, and utilisation of electricity for energy use.

1. Perform quality assurance testing to see to it that electrical equipment is safe to use and aligns with product specifications.
2. Review and inspect electrical control systems for code and compliance purposes.
3. Provide troubleshooting assistance throughout the product development (manufacturers) and delivery (consumers) continuum.
4. Come up with unique, innovative ways of utilizing electricity to enhance efficiency and expedience.