By Essie Bester

If electricity and electronic devices fascinate you, you are probably interested in becoming an electronic engineer.

Electronic engineers are needed in all sectors of society and they must have the necessary skills to work on everyday devices such as cell phones, mobile music devices and computers before even thinking of bigger and more complicated systems.

However, the work of an electrical and electronic engineer must not be confused with each other. Although both work in the same field, an electrical engineer is responsible for the development, distribution and use of electricity, while an electronic engineer is responsible for the design, manufacture and maintenance of electrical systems.

Most universities, universities of technology and colleges in South Africa have several engineering programmes in the specific fields. The qualifications vary according to the years of study and some include a practical element.

Together with the above-mentioned qualifications, an affinity for problem-solving and enthusiasm for circuits, there are, however, a few other essential skills that are necessary for a successful career in electronics, says Chris Oddy, a renowned recruitment specialist for electronic and embedded-system companies.

Oddy gives the following points for you to identify what you need for a successful career in electronics:

• Software

An essential skill is know-how in software together with efficiency in programming. A prospective electronic engineer needs to have mastered several computer languages, e.g. C++, computer-aided drawing tools and circuit simulators for analysing designs.

Recruiters are looking for individuals with a sound footing in electronic engineering who are also able to design web software and computer and mobile applications. Electronics departments are becoming more and more competitive as they are responsible for small as well as large electrical systems, fault detection in devices and the calibration of electric equipment – all of them connected by means of several software applications.

• Hardware

Practical experience of different circuits and electrical embedding are also necessary. Technical thinking requires critical thinking skills to identify general issues and come up with working solutions. Knowledge regarding the use of hardware includes the safe use of power tools, for instance tools for making connections, doing diagnostic tests and making delicate adjustments. Knowledge of the procedure for the installation of various electrical devices such as cables, switches, tubes, etc., is also necessary.

You will only be able to maintain and repair hardware systems if you are technologically skilled. Apart from that, you must have the self-confidence and potential to design new circuits and alter older circuits. You must be able to organise the parts of a device in exactly the same position in which each of them was before you opened it.

A strong interest in electronics is therefore necessary to flourish in a career in electronics. Different employers prioritise different abilities, but as an electronic engineer you must have an equally good grasp of all these skills. According to Oddy determination and perseverance are the keys that will boost your career.

• Embedded software systems

Embedded software is a computer program coded to control electrical devices that are not traditionally regarded as computers – generally known as embedded systems. Embedded systems are tailor-made programs exclusively designed for specific hardware devices, such as alarm clocks, cars, personal digital assistants, etc.

Consumers interact with the application software. The embedded software, however, perform background functions that cannot always be seen and are sometimes very complicated. These systems have fixed hardware requirements and capabilities and therefore only the most experienced and skilful electricians can make them function properly.

You need analytical reasoning capability, a high IQ and a pragmatic approach to find a solution. You have to take mathematics and physical science as subjects at school as you will have to be adequately qualified when you tackle mathematical equations, e.g. linear programming to get the required outcome.

A practical working knowledge of RTOS (real-time operating software), which is responsible for important functions such as the scheduling of tasks and the enabling of high-level coding languages such as C and Python, also plays a decisive role in the development of a career in electronics and communication. Apart from that the person must be familiar with powerful operating-system platforms such as Bare Metal, Linux, Mac and Windows.

• Digital and analogue

It is of the utmost importance for professional people in electronic and computer engineering to be able to work on digital platforms as well as analogue systems. Nowadays all modern electronics are equipped with analogue systems. You must therefore know how to solve problems that arise as a result of disturbances in the signals or integrated-circuit design.

• Testing

Of all the skills you need to excel in an electronics career, testing is one of the most challenging ones because it ensures the functionality, reliability and quality of a product. You must be able to find faults and their sources in a circuit and for that you must learn to test equipment in many different ways.

You are the person who is going to determine whether a new device is ready to be switched on. Before a new product is released it as subjected to various tests and quality controls to eliminate all  faults. An electronic-communication engineer should be able to recognise and report any fault and perhaps also to find solutions for these problems.

If you have all these skills, you are ready for a career in electronics, according to Oddy, who himself worked in the industry for many years.

Sources

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/electronics-career-skills.html

https://www.vrouekeur.co.za/leefstyl/geld-werk-leefstyl/kies-n-beroep-elektroniese-ingenieur