Once considered a subset of electrical engineering, electronic and electronic systems engineering has now emerged as an essential field in its own right, mirroring the technological advancements and digital revolutions of the 20th and 21st centuries.

But what exactly is electronic engineering? At its core, this field revolves around the design, development, and maintenance of electronic systems.

Imagine being the brain behind an innovative mobile phone, or the high-speed broadband networks that we rely on for our daily Internet usage.

As we’ll explore in the remainder of this article, electronic engineering allows you to work across a range of fields, including healthcare, defence and robotics.

As an electronic engineer, you turn these visions into reality, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with technology.

What’s more, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning is not just a buzzword in the world of electronic engineering – it’s set to redefine the whole sector!

These advancements bring new challenges and opportunities, expanding the role of electronic engineers and creating new skills and competencies that you will need to demonstrate

From developing smarter devices to integrating AI into everyday gadgets, electronic engineers are at the forefront of an exciting technological revolution.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the vast ocean of opportunities within electronic engineering. You’ll discover the diverse sectors you can work in, from telecommunications to aerospace, and the various fields you can specialize in, such as signal processing or embedded systems.

What sector could you work in as an electronic engineer?

At the moment, electronics engineering transcends any number of sectors, including

Mobile phones

In the realm of mobile technology, electronic engineers play a pivotal role in designing and developing the hardware of mobile phones.

They work on creating smaller, more efficient, and more powerful electronic components such as processors, memory chips, and display units.

Additionally, electronic engineers are involved in optimising the power consumption and battery life of mobile devices, ensuring better performance and longer use.

Nanotechnology

Electronic engineers are key players in nanotechnology, focusing on designing and creating nanoscale electronic devices such as nanotransistors and nanowires. Their work is essential in developing smaller, more efficient, and powerful electronic devices.

You could find yourself working in the field of miniaturisation,  shrinking the size of electronic devices while enhancing their functionality and efficiency. Nanotechnology is being used across diverse sectors including medicine, computing, and materials science.

Acoustics

Electronic engineers in acoustics specialise in creating and refining devices like microphones, speakers, and sound processors, essential for superior sound production and detection.

Your work would focus on improving sound quality, reducing noise interference, and innovating in sound reproduction and noise cancellation technologies.

As an acoustic engineer, you’ll blend science and creativity, significantly impacting how we experience sound in music, communication, and everyday life.

For example, you could work in the healthcare sector to develop the next generation of hearing aids.

Defence

Within the defence sector, electronic engineers play a crucial role in developing sophisticated electronic systems for communication, surveillance, and weaponry.

You’d work on radar systems, secure communication networks, electronic warfare systems, and other defence electronics that are essential for national security and military operations.

Robotics

Electronic engineers are key players in the field of robotics. They design and develop the electronic systems that control robots, including sensors, control systems, and power supplies.

Their work is critical in making robots more responsive, autonomous, and efficient, which is essential for various applications from industrial automation to medical robotics.

This specialism is likely to be so in demand, we’ve included it in our article on engineering careers of the future.

Automotive and transport

If you’re interested in the automotive or transport sector, you’re in luck!

Electronic engineers have a significant role to play in the automotive and transport sectors, focusing on developing and improving electronic systems within vehicles. This will become especially important at a time when self-driving cars and cleaner, greener modes of transport are becoming a reality.

This means there’s never been a wider range of specialisations and applications for you to choose from, whether it’s traditional combustion engine vehicles to modern electric and autonomous vehicles.

Let’s take a closer look at a few examples.

Electric vehicles (EVs)

Electronic engineers in the automotive industry work on the design and optimization of electric powertrains, battery management systems, and charging infrastructure. They ensure efficient energy use and enhance battery life, which is crucial for the performance and adoption of EVs.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Another critical area is the development of ADAS, which includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Engineers work on integrating sensors, cameras, and radar systems to improve vehicle safety and autonomy.

Infotainment systems

In modern vehicles, infotainment systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Electronic engineers design and develop the hardware and software for these systems, ensuring seamless integration of navigation, entertainment, and connectivity features.

Autonomous vehicles

The push towards autonomous driving relies heavily on electronic engineers. Work with autonomous vehicles and you could find yourself developing the complex systems that allow vehicles to navigate and make decisions without human intervention. This includes LIDAR, radar, and advanced AI algorithms.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication

Electronic engineers also work on V2X communication technologies, which enable vehicles to communicate with each other and with infrastructure. This technology is essential for improving traffic flow, reducing accidents, and enhancing the overall efficiency of transport networks.

But there are some older, more established electronic engineering applications where your skill would also be in very high demand.

Engine control units (ECUs)

Electronic engineers play a vital role in developing and optimising engine control units. ECUs manage engine performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions, ensuring that vehicles meet regulatory standards and deliver optimal performance. Your work will involve designing and programming these systems to precisely control engine operations.

Dashboard indicators

The modern vehicle dashboard is a complex interface that provides drivers with essential information. Electronic engineers design and develop the electronic circuits and software that power these indicators. You’ll work on creating intuitive, reliable, and high-performance displays that enhance driver awareness and safety.

Air conditioning and climate control

Electronic engineers are responsible for the development of advanced air conditioning and climate control systems. These systems ensure passenger comfort by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels.

Your role would involve designing control algorithms and integrating sensors to monitor and adjust the climate within the vehicle efficiently.

Safety systems

Safety is paramount in the automotive industry, and electronic engineers contribute significantly to the development of various safety systems. This includes the design of airbags, electronic stability control, and collision avoidance systems. You’ll work on ensuring these systems respond accurately and reliably in critical situations, protecting passengers and reducing accident risks.

Braking systems

Advanced braking systems, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), rely heavily on electronic engineering. You’ll design and develop the electronic controls that enhance braking performance, providing drivers with better handling and safety during emergency stops.

Radio and satellite communications

Specialising in this sector could also lead you to work on projects that improve the reliability, range, and clarity of various radio and satellite communication systems.

Imagine being the brains behind the creation of essential elements like antennas, transceivers, amplifiers, and signal processors.

Or, to put it another way, you’d be making sure messages are transmitted more clearly and over greater distances without interruption.

You could also play a crucial role in advancing new technologies for satellite communication. These innovations are not just technical feats but are part of our everyday lives, from the GPS systems that guide us, to the satellite TV we enjoy, and even the weather monitoring systems that we use every day!

What skills do you need to be a successful electronic engineer?

The role of an electronics engineer is as diverse as the field itself, varying widely based on subfield, the organisation they are part of, specialised training, and experience level. Let’s delve into the common responsibilities that shape the career of an electronics engineer:

Project management

A key aspect of an electronics engineer’s job is managing projects effectively. This involves meeting deadlines and fulfilling the expectations of employers or clients. For seasoned engineers, project management responsibilities may be more extensive, delivering highly technical projects using your communication and leadership skills.

Design skills

Design of electronic devices and components is at the heart of electronic engineering.

Whether it’s crafting an entire electronic product or focusing on a single component within a larger system, electronics engineers use their deep understanding of device architecture to innovate and meet evolving consumer and business needs.

For example, you could be an engineer at a smartphone company who innovates a more efficient battery, significantly extending phone life; alternatively you could work for a healthcare tech company that designs a compact heart rate sensor for wearable health monitors.

Collaboration and teamwork

Collaboration is crucial in the world of electronic engineering. Engineers often work in teams, ensuring compatibility and integration of their designs with others. This collaboration extends beyond internal teams, involving clients and management to ensure the final product aligns with specified requirements.

For example, electronic engineers in an automotive company would need to integrate software and hardware for an electric car’s navigation system, ensuring seamless performance.

Testing and refining electronic products & components

Electronics engineers frequently step away from their computer screens to test the functionality and performance of their products. Regular testing is essential to validate designs, while advanced testing aids in gathering data for future innovations.

Imagine you worked at a gaming console company rigorously testing a new controller design for ergonomic comfort and user responsiveness. Hands-on testing would be crucial for ensuring the final product not only meets design specifications but also delivers a superior user experience.

Drawing up technical documentation

Creating detailed technical documents is another vital responsibility. These documents can range from concise user manuals to extensive technical guides.

Let’s say you were an engineer working in robotics and you develop an intricate robot arm used in manufacturing. You’d also need to draw up a comprehensive technical manual, detailing operational procedures and safety protocols.

Electronic maintenance and repair

For some electronics engineers, particularly those working in field operations or overseeing the implementation of products, maintenance and repairs are a significant part of the job.

The complexity of modern electronic systems often necessitates an engineer’s expertise in upkeep and troubleshooting.

For example, if you were working in telecommunications or satellite communications, it would be important to maintain and repair the relevant electronic systems to ensure any and all communications were uninterrupted.

Electronic engineering: notable specialisms

In the previous section, you may have noticed that we touched on a number of specialisms within the wider field of electronic engineering and electronic systems engineering.

So what are some of these specialisms?

Control engineering

A controls engineer, also known as a control systems engineer or control engineer, plays a pivotal role in ensuring organisations produce high-quality products efficiently.

This field, encompassing control engineering or control system engineering, involves designing, analysing, and optimising control systems. These systems are diverse, ranging from mechanical machinery to electronic device.

Examples include

• air conditioners, which adjusts the output of hot or cold air based on your temperature settings
• in the aerospace industry, companies like Boeing rely on controls engineers to develop advanced aircraft
• the automotive industry makes use of control engineering for the production of various vehicle components.

Instrumentation engineering

Instrumentation engineering centres on the principles and operation of tools that measure physical quantities, like temperature and fluid levels.

For example, consider the temperature gauge of an electric oven, or the displays in a car that notify you about battery voltage and fluid levels.

Telecommunications engineering

Telecommunication engineers design and manage the setup of various communication systems, including traditional telephone services, electronic switching systems, optical fibre cabling, IP networks, and microwave transmission systems.

For example, a telecommunication engineer might work on setting up the fibre optic network in a new city area, ensuring high-speed internet connectivity.

Signal processing engineering

Signal processing is a branch of electrical engineering that deals with handling different types of data like sound, images, and scientific measurements. Its main goals are to improve, change, and understand these signals. For example

• Optimising transmissions – working to ensure that a phone call or a TV broadcast comes through clearly without interference.
• Improving digital storage efficiency – think of how photos are compressed to take up less space on your phone, while maintaining image quality.
• Correcting distorted video or radio signals
• Enhancing video quality – working on technologies that make videos look more appealing, much like the transition from standard to high-definition television.

What qualifications are required to be an electronic engineer?

Much like other branches of engineering, there are two routes into electronic engineering – the academic route and the vocational route. Let’s take a closer look at both of those routes in more detail.

The academic route

As electronics engineering is a branch of electrical engineering, having an electrical engineering degree can qualify you to work in this field.

Some UK universities offer electronic engineering as a separate qualification from electrical engineering. For example.

• The University of Manchester (3 Years, BEng)
• The University of York, (3 Years, BEng)

Other universities offer electrical and electronic engineering as one degree. For example

• University of Southampton – Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MEng, 4 years)
• The University of Strathclyde – Electronic and Electrical Engineering (BEng, 4 years)

But don’t worry if this isn’t your chosen path into engineering. Because electronic engineering is such a wide ranging field that touches so many other types of engineering, you could also learn some of the principles of electronic engineering if you study any of the following degree courses.

Electrical engineering

Because electronic engineering is technically a subset of electrical engineering, it’s common to find electrical engineering courses that have an electronic engineering component, or joint honours degrees that offer both.

Aeronautical engineering

This field provides a strong foundation in the principles of electronics and control systems used in aircraft, which are closely related to the concepts in electronic engineering. It also gives you valuable problem solving skills in high-tech environments.

Computer/software/computer science engineering

Any computer science or computer software discipline offers a solid understanding of software development, algorithms, and system design, all of which are essential in electronic engineering.

Mechanical engineering

This field provides knowledge of mechanical systems and an understanding of how they interact with electronic systems, which is valuable in the design and manufacturing of electronic devices and components.

What are the entry requirements for an electronic engineering degree?

If you’re taking A-levels, then most university entry requirements range from BCC to AAA. UCAS currently states the average entry requirement is ABB.

Most universities ask for applicants to have studied Maths, Physics and Computer Science. It’s also useful if you’ve studied subjects like Chemistry and Biology.

For students taking the Scottish Highers, the average entry requirements are AAABB.

You might also be able to apply for an electronic engineering degree with a vocational qualification, such as the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma.

If you’re in any doubt, we’d recommend checking your chosen university’s entry requirements carefully.

The vocational route

Of course, there are also lots of vocational routes into a career into electrical engineering. The good news is that there are lots of electronic engineering apprenticeships to choose from.

For example, you can take Higher Level Apprenticeship (equivalent to a foundation degree or the first year of an undergraduate degree) with organisations such as the Institute for Apprenticeships.

A number of organisations and universities also offer degree level apprenticeships. Again, you can take degree level apprenticeships through the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Examples of these types of apprenticeships include

• Systems engineer
• Electrical or electronic support engineer
• Embedded electronic systems design and development engineer

Companies such as Rolls Royce, Atkins Realis, BAE Systems offer higher and degree apprenticeships in electric and electronic engineering. You can also search for companies offering the degree level apprenticeship through websites such as Indeed.com.

You can also find degree level apprenticeships through a number of UK universities. For example

• The University of Greenwich
• The University of Hertfordshire

Top tip: UCAS are beta-testing a new apprenticeships database. You can use it to keep track of any companies or institutions offering higher or degree level apprenticeships across the UK.

Why electronic engineering prepares you for the jobs of the future

As we’ve covered in this article, electronic engineering is a field that offers an exciting range of new employment opportunities.

Consumers, companies and governments will all rely on electronic engineers to design and build new products, systems and infrastructure that will continue to shape and redefine our lives. The digital and AI revolution shows no sign of slowing down.

This means that electronic engineering will, in turn, be a revolutionary sector to work in. If you’re thinking about specialising in this field, it’s arguably never been a more thrilling time to enter the job market!