How to Become an Electrical Engineer

To become an Electrical Engineer, you must have qualifications, training, and licenses in electrical engineering and safety procedures. This is a legal requirement and important to maintain the safety of each system and piece of equipment.

Degree, HND or Apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering

To become an Electrical Engineer, you will need some form of degree, qualification, or vocational education in electrical engineering. This is to ensure that you have the knowledge necessary to safely manage, develop, and implement systems and equipment with the practical knowledge to support it. You can gain this through a bachelor’s degree (BEng or MEng), a Level 4/5 Higher National Diploma (HND) or by completing a Level 6 apprenticeship in Electrical or Electronic Engineering. You can also get professional certifications and accreditations from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Knowledge of Circuitry, Power Systems and Safety Standards

In-depth knowledge of circuitry, power systems, and their safety procedures is essential when you become an Electrical Engineer. Not only will you need to understand how each component works in order to design and maintain systems and equipment, but you will also need to ensure a high level of safety. While you can learn about circuitry and power systems through your degree, apprenticeship, or other working and learning environment, you will need specific safety licencing to become an Electrical Engineer. Courses such as IOSH Managing Safely, BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and Electrical Safety Awareness help Electrical Engineers understand legal responsibilities and ensure safe working practices.

Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills

Alongside the qualifications and licenses, you will need to become an Electrical Engineer, you will also need transferable skills. Two crucial skills to have in this role include problem-solving and analytical thinking. This is essential for developing, testing, and implementing new electrical systems, as well as maintaining and troubleshooting complex equipment and system issues. Whether you’re diagnosing a fault or innovating a more sustainable system, Electrical Engineers need to be able to think analytically and solve problems, often under time constraints. 

As an Electrical Engineer, it will be your responsibility to maintain, update, and manage systems and equipment for a business or organisation. This involves designing, developing, and troubleshooting common and complex issues. 

Design, Develop and Test Systems and Components

One of your main duties as an Electrical Engineer will be to continually design, develop, and test systems and components. Your role will involve the entire lifecycle of a system or equipment, requiring you to manage the initial concept through to implementation and management. This requires robust testing, whether you’re replacing an existing system or managing upgrades. Whether you’re adapting telecommunication technology or connecting a new power grid, you will be required to confidently manage electrical systems and equipment on various scales.

Comply with Safety Regulations and Industry Standards

It is essential that all Electrical Engineers comply with safety regulations. To do this, you will need to have valid licenses, as well as regular training. This will ensure that you are remaining compliant with all safety requirements and industry standards. You will need to ensure thorough risk assessments are conducted, as well as report on your compliance. This requires strong communication, organisation, and attention to detail to maintain accurate records. You will also be required to regularly perform Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) to ensure the safety and maintenance of your systems and equipment.

Provide Technical Support and Troubleshooting

Another key aspect of your role as an Electrical Engineer will be to provide technical support and troubleshooting across the business or organisation. This will include diagnosing and supporting systems and equipment, whether you’re working on recalibrating machinery in manufacturing or updating systems for an energy supplier, there are plenty of opportunities for Electrical Engineers to solve common and complex system and equipment issues. You might also be required to manage call-out work, providing emergency support to your business.

Principal Engineer, Consultant and Managerial Roles

You can also use your skills and experience to advance into Principal Engineer or Consultation roles for a business or organisation. By developing your experience, you can be involved in large-scale projects that require specific and specialised skillsets. Both Principal Engineers and Consultants function as visionaries for a business or company, requiring strong critical thinking skills and a passion for designing and developing electrical systems and equipment. Managerial roles also offer an opportunity to use your skills to support a team of Engineers, guiding training and skills development for the next generation of Electrical Engineers.