1. Career 2: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Job Description
● develop, design or update specifications and designs for electrical systems and
equipment
● design methods to generate, distribute and manage electricity
● design automated and computerised methods to control electrical processes
● calculate the cost of projects, and materials needed
● write reports and develop instruction manuals for installing new electricity systems and
equipment
● supervise the installation and maintenance of systems and equipment
● oversee electricity system tests and correct any faults.
Working Conditions
● usually work regular business hours, but may have to be on-call or work irregular hours
to meet project deadlines
● usually work in offices, but also work in laboratories, workshops or on-site at power
stations or building projects.
Approximate Salary - $40,000 - $60,000/ year
Career Path
● Bachelor of Engineering - BE
● Bachelor of Engineering Honours - BE(Hons).
Education Required
● To enter tertiary training, a university entrance qualification (NCEA Level 3) is usually
required. Useful subjects include maths with calculus, technology, physics and
chemistry.
Post-Secondary training
● A university entrance qualification (NCEA Level 3) is required. Useful subjects include
English, maths with calculus, physics and chemistry.
Why is this a good career for you
● knowledge of electronics
● knowledge of circuit theory, heavy current or power electrical engineering and other
electrical principles
● an understanding of the equipment and safe practices associated with electrical
engineering
● knowledge of the laws, resource management and industry standards that apply to
electrical engineering
● design and drawing skills, including knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD)
software.
