Electronics engineering technician
Electronics engineering technicians design, build and maintain electronic systems and components.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
You may:
- use CAD software to design printed circuit boards and wiring diagrams
- research and develop new products
- test prototypes and analyse results
- find and fix faults in equipment
- build and install electronic manufacturing control systems
- set up maintenance schedules for equipment
Working environment
You could work at a manufacturing plant, in a laboratory or in an office.
Your working environment may be noisy.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a project team leader or a maintenance or quality control manager.
You could also teach in a further education college.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- complex problem-solving skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
More Information
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this job.
Relevant courses include:
- Level 3 Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
- Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Electronic Engineering or Electronic Systems Engineering
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More Information
You can apply for a place on an Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to start as a trainee.
You might do a Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, if you want to work in the service and repair of production line machinery or robotics.
You can also train to be an electronics technician in the Army
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
Further information
You can find out more about courses and careers in engineering from Tomorrow's Engineers and The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.