Electrical Engineer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Electrical and Electronics Engineers (2133) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Electrical and Electronics Engineers (C033) 
• 2011 NOC: Electrical and electronics engineers (2133) 

Electrical engineers work with systems. These systems generate, transmit, distribute, store, control, or use electromagnetic energy or electrically coded information. Engineers may be involved in developing, manufacturing, or applying electrical and electronic devices, circuits, systems, products, and equipment. They produce single line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable tray layouts, junction box layouts, and so on. They must apply and comply with known standards. They may be involved in developing those standards.

Electrical engineers may specialize in:

• biomedical engineering (to learn more, see the Biomedical Engineer occupational profile)
• communications engineering (for example, compressing, transmitting, routing, and receiving multimedia or digital data on the internet or mobile phones)
• computer engineering (to learn more, see the Computer Engineer and Software Engineer occupational profiles)
• control systems engineering (for instance, controlling chemical processes like those used in petroleum extraction, refining, and delivery)
• digital systems engineering (such as developing hardware systems for communications, process control, computers, and signal processors)
• electronic materials and nanotechnology (for instance, integrating semiconductor devices and nanoscale sensors)
• electronics engineering (such as designing integrated circuits for the electronic equipment used in communication or automotive systems)
• electromagnetics and photonics (such as radio frequency antennae and laser applications)
• power systems engineering (generating, transmitting, and distributing electrical energy)
• embedded systems engineering (such as designing a device or part of a device to do specific tasks using little computer memory or other hardware).

In each of these fields, electrical engineers may further specialize in one or more areas:

• maintaining and solving problems with existing systems
• conducting research
• specifying, designing, implementing, and testing products and systems
• designing and simulating electronic product prototypes (working models)
• designing manufacturing processes
• developing test and quality control procedures (to help ensure products meet quality specifications and safety standards).

As well as their technical duties, electrical engineers often:

• study design proposals, write reports, and make suggestions (on the specifications, design, development, manufacture, testing, or application of products and systems)
• prepare contract documents (such as drawings and specifications for project construction)
• supervise and co-ordinate the work of others.

Most electrical engineers work in offices. They may travel to operating, construction or infrastructure sites, or manufacturing facilities. They may work long hours and deal with pressure to meet deadlines and design standards. In rare cases they may be exposed to chemical gases or work in severe climate conditions.

Electrical engineers need to possess:

• natural curiosity
• observation skills
• the ability to study and solve problems
• strong math and science skills
• the ability to pay close attention to details
• persistence
• the skills to be organized
• the skills to manage time well
• speaking and writing skills
• the ability to work well in teams made up of people from varied backgrounds.

They should enjoy:

• being innovative
• doing precision work
• keeping up to date with technology
• working on their own
• making decisions.

Electrical engineers may work for:

• consulting firms
• electrical utilities
• construction companies
• governments
• electrical equipment makers
• resource extraction and processing firms
• transportation firms
• communication (including telecommunication) firms
• health authorities
• universities
• research institutions.

Many engineers spend their entire careers in technical jobs. Some engineers become managers, administrators, or sales reps (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile).

Electrical engineers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2133: Electrical and electronics engineers. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services [pdf]
• Utilities [pdf]
• Manufacturing [pdf]
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction [pdf].

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the C033: Electrical and Electronics Engineers occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.7% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 114 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.