Electrical engineer

Electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical systems and equipment - from small electronic devices to large power grids

The electrical systems and components you'll design, develop and maintain as an electrical engineer will be to required specifications.

You could be involved in projects from the concept and detail of the design, through to implementation, testing and handover. You may also work on maintenance programmes.

It's likely you'll work in multidisciplinary project teams, which can include engineers from other specialist areas as well as architects, marketing and sales staff, manufacturers, technicians and customer service personnel.

Types of electrical engineering

Electrical systems and equipment play a vital role across many sectors, including:

• armed forces
• manufacturing and construction
• production and distribution of power
• renewable energy
• telecommunications
• the building industry and services, including lighting, heating and ventilation
• transportation and transport networks.

Responsibilities

Working as an electrical engineer, you'll need to:

• identify customer requirements
• design systems and products
• read design specifications and technical drawings
• research suitable solutions and estimate costs and timescales
• make models and prototypes of products using three-dimensional design software
• liaise with others in the design team
• communicate with clients and contractors
• attend meetings on site
• design and conduct tests
• record, analyse and interpret test data
• propose modifications and retest products
• qualify the final product or system
• service and maintain equipment
• prepare product documentation, write reports and give presentations
• monitor a product in use to improve on future design.

Salary

• Graduate starting salaries are usually between £28,000 and £32,000.
• Mid-level engineers with a few years’ experience generally earn £35,000 to £50,000.
• Senior or chartered engineers can earn £55,000 to £75,000.

Salaries vary widely according to location, the size of your employer and the nature of their business.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work around 40 hours a week, though at times you may need to work extra and unsocial hours to meet deadlines or resolve design difficulties. Some jobs offer flexible working or shift patterns and hybrid working is increasingly an option.

Self-employment and consultancy work are possible after building up expertise and a reputation within the profession. You'll usually need to have chartered engineer status before entering consultancy work.

What to expect

• You may work in a production plant, workshop, office, laboratory or factory, or a mixture of several of these. Depending on the location, conditions can be hot, dusty or cramped.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK, with those in the manufacturing sector concentrated in industrial areas. Travel within the working day is common.
• EngineeringUK reports that women remain underrepresented in all areas of engineering, forming only 16.9% of the workforce, though this has steadily risen over the past decade. Initiatives are in place to encourage more women into the industry, including WISE and Women's Engineering Society (WES).
• There are good opportunities to work overseas, particularly in the power, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as with large consulting firms and building contractors. Opportunities may be available through overseas postings with multinational employers or by applying directly for international roles.

Qualifications

It's common to enter the profession with a degree in electrical or electronic engineering. Other subjects are accepted though and relevant ones include:

• aeronautical engineering
• building services engineering
• communications engineering
• computing and software engineering
• electromechanical engineering
• mechanical and production engineering
• physics and applied physics
• power and energy engineering.

Some degrees are accredited by a professional body, such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Check if this is the case for any subjects you're considering as it's helpful for achieving the status of incorporated engineer (IEng) or chartered engineer (CEng) at a later date. A list of accredited courses can be found at Engineering Council - Accredited Course Search.

You can also become an electrical engineer with an HND or foundation degree in subjects similar to those at degree level, but you may enter at a lower grade and will need to work your way up.

Some universities allow you to enter directly into the final year of a degree programme if you've got a relevant HND or foundation degree. As some employers prefer graduates, it may be worth considering this route.

If you don't have a degree, HND or foundation degree, you'll need further training or qualifications to reach full engineer level. Some organisations recruit at A-level (or Higher) standard for apprenticeships and select the best candidates for sponsorship on full or part-time degrees.

You don't need a postgraduate qualification to get a job. Employers will be more impressed by your enthusiasm to gain professional status and by relevant industrial experience. However, a relevant Masters can help with career progression.

Search postgraduate courses in electrical engineering.

Skills

You'll need to show:

• relevant technical knowledge and up-to-date sector knowledge
• project management skills
• the ability to multitask
• commercial awareness
• an analytical and problem-solving approach to work
• oral and written communication skills to make technical information easy to understand for non-technical audiences
• flexibility in order to adapt to evolving technologies
• planning and organisational skills, such as time and resource allocation
• the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• leadership and management skills to help with career progression
• a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career.

A second language may be useful when applying to international companies.

Some work, for example in defence-related and nuclear power industries, has security implications and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) may debar applicants who have a criminal record, are not UK citizens or do not pass security clearance.

Work experience

Relevant industry experience, along with an accredited degree, can greatly improve your chances of securing a role as an electrical engineer. Many degrees include a year-long paid placement, giving you professional experience and valuable contacts. If your course doesn't contain a placement, seek out other opportunities through employer schemes or speculative applications. For more information, see IET - Work experience.

Student membership of institutions such as the IET provides sector updates, networking opportunities and resources to support your development. If you're on an IET-accredited electrical or power engineering degree, you may also be eligible for the IET Power Academy scholarship, which offers a bursary, book allowance and paid summer work.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Electrical engineers work in many sectors, ranging from multinational corporations to small and medium-sized specialist enterprises (SMEs). The variety of employers provides multiple entry routes into the profession and opportunities to gain experience across different industries. They include:

• power and renewable energy companies (including solar, wind, offshore wind, hydrogen and energy storage)
• manufacturing and industrial production organisations, especially those focused on automation, robotics and smart technologies
• the construction and building services industry
• transport organisations, including road, rail and electric vehicle infrastructure
• specialist engineering and consultancy firms
• telecommunications companies
• petrochemical industries in production and distribution
• research and development companies, including defence-related industries
• the armed forces, mainly the technical corps
• technology and start-up firms working in areas such as smart devices, the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital control systems.

Large multinationals, such as Siemens, ABB, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and National Grid, often offer structured graduate training programmes with rotations across departments. SMEs and specialist consultancies may provide earlier responsibility and faster progression. Utilities and infrastructure operators, such as UK Power Networks and water and transport authorities, also offer stable career paths linked to public service.

Electrical engineers are in demand globally, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure and high-tech sectors. UK qualifications are widely recognised, and many employers look for engineers with an interest in sustainability and the energy transition.

Look for job vacancies at:

• The Engineer Jobs
• Engineering & Technology Jobs
• Fish4Jobs Engineering
• JustEngineers

Specialist recruitment agencies, such as Matchtech, handle contract vacancies, particularly for experienced engineers.

Professional development

Training varies by employer. Large companies often provide structured graduate schemes with rotations, CPD activities and sometimes external training, while smaller firms may focus on on-the-job learning under the guidance of senior engineers. In many roles, you’ll also develop core business skills such as project management, report writing and presentations.

Most electrical engineers work towards professional registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng), with EngTech status increasingly recognised for those entering through apprenticeships. These internationally recognised qualifications, awarded by the Engineering Council, enhance career prospects and earning potential.

To achieve professional status, you must be a member of a relevant body such as the IET. Accreditation of your degree makes the process more straightforward, but it's also possible without. You'll need to demonstrate the required competencies and commitment as set out in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

Membership of a professional body provides valuable support throughout your career, including access to networks, events, training resources and tailored advice to help you progress.

Membership also offers advice and support for gaining professional status or for furthering your career in other ways. See IET Career & Learning.

Career prospects

There's no set route for career progression and your prospects will depend to a certain extent on how you choose to develop your career and your preferred specialist area. There are strong long-term opportunities in the profession as electrical engineers are currently on the UK’s shortage occupation list in certain sectors, notably power, energy and some manufacturing specialisms.

• go into project management
• take on a management role
• pursue an academic career
• become a consultant or contractor.

Professional status and membership of a relevant professional body, for example the IET, is essential for successful career progression. This will enable you to keep up to date with developing technologies, establish contacts and network with other engineering professionals in your field, and related fields, at conferences and regional meetings.

It's also possible to develop your career abroad. UK engineering qualifications are recognised in most countries, although in some you'll have to take additional tests. Most overseas organisations will expect chartered engineer status. Check with your professional institution and the country where you intend to work for further details.