Electrical Engineering Technician

Also known as: Electrical Engineering Technical Officer, Engineer Technical Specialist

Job Role: Designs, tests, maintains and modifies electrical machinery and electrical control equipment.

 

Job insights

Skills required to be a Electrical Engineering Technician

  • Ability to assess and plan
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Eye for detail
  • Ability to work well in a team
  • Good hand eye coordination
  • Problem solving
  • Work under pressure

Job role

Interpret and evaluate technical information, Operate electrical equipment, Identify and manage risks, Digital, data and systems management, Administrative tasks, Inspecting, testing and monitoring, Maintain and repair equipment, Operate mechanical equipment, Operate electrical equipment

Male and female Electrical Engineering technicians inspecting a circuit
Overview

The role

Electrical Engineering Technicians help with electrical engineering research, design, manufacture, assembly, construction, operation and maintenance of equipment, facilities and distribution systems.

Tasks include:
• preparing drawings and plans of electrical installations and circuitry
• collecting data, performing tests, graphing results, and preparing charts and tabulations
• estimating materials costs and quantities
• assembling, installing, testing, modifying and repairing electrical equipment installations
• inspecting designs and finished products for compliance with specifications and regulations
• assisting with research programs.
Male and female Electrical Engineering technicians inspecting a circuit
Skills required

Skills required to be an Electrical Engineering Technician

  • Ability to assess and plan
  • Risk management
  • Asset management
Entry pathways

Previous experience

Electrical engineering technicians often come from a career in:

  • Electrical engineering and drafting
  • Civil engineering and drafting
  • Engineering, construction, structure and resource sector technical disciplines.
  • Construction / defence / resources sectors

Minimum requirements

Minimum training and qualification requirements vary according to the requirements of the rail infrastructure manager or rail operator.

Mandatory qualifications may include the UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician. This is a prerequisite for other higher qualifications needed for career advancement.

Those entering the field with wider work experience or qualifications may be suited to undertake study at the higher-level certificate, diploma or advance diploma levels as noted in the Potential Training Pathway below.

Many of these qualifications can be undertaken as an Australian apprenticeship.

Progression to more senior roles usually comes through experience. However, opportunities to advance could be more likely if you have relevant qualifications. 

Flow chart showing potential training pathways to become an electrical engineering technician
Career progression

What an Electrical Engineering Technician's career progression can look like

Flow chart showing possible career progression for an electrical engineering technician
What do I do next?

What do I do next?

For more information on becoming an Electrical Engineering Technician:

  • talk to your careers adviser 
  • contact your local TAFE or university
  • if you already work in rail, talk to your employer.