Electronic Systems

Electronic Systems are the general term for the smart technology products that pervade our lives. These are microelectronic based, which when combined with sophisticated software, deliver the advanced functionality that we expect from our 'tech gadgets' today ... Phones, tablets, booking systems, autopilots, smart TV's, navigators, stability-control in vehicles, smart cruise controls, Alexa/Siri, medical equipment, AI, etc. are all Electronic Systems. But not only them, also the smart systems that qualify, manufacture and test them; and the infrastructure systems that enable them to work. To the unenlightened, the working of these is indistinguishable from magic; yet the people involved in their creation know they are the result of the hard work of many skilled individuals, applying their knowledge and know-how. These are the creations of real people networking globally; engineers, technicians and scientists and who have requisite knowledge and expertise. Clustered into businesses to create high-value 'components' for these systems, many can be found in the UK and its universities ... Doing leading international work, but under-recognised and undervalued by society, the media and our leaders; the immense strategic and economic value they create is dismissed because it is easier to believe in magic.

So I believe that EngX offers a platform where the Electronic Systems community can share its experiences and its understanding. Also where it can inform those who wish to develop a better understanding of the roles and opportunities that a career in Electronic Systems can offer today. What do you think ...?

Parents
  • There are plenty of careers in electronics.  But maybe stay away from the big famous companies who are currently laying off staff having massively over-expanded during the pandemic.

    For actually building things, then that's likely to be Apprenticeships, BTEC, etc.

    But for engineering, you'd be much better getting A levels then a relevant degree.  From my experience, the exact degree you get isn't so important, as people shift around between hardware, firmware, systems and software.  To a large extent, if you can get a degree that looks good enough to get your first job, then after that employers don't really care.  They see that you have a degree, then they look at the experience you have.

    That said, there are people who work their way up into engineering without a degree.  And people who do a degree part time once they have the job.

    This is the sort of specialised field where you almost certainly have to move (or commute) to wherever the work is.  My experience is in the defence industry, where there are a few big players, and a whole bunch of smaller companies supplying subsystems to the big players.

  • Agree, mostly - a good scientific degree, i.e. physics, compski, maths, even electronics itself, is a huge advantage, if not essential,  at the design authority level.  Less so for the technicians, installation  and  service type folk, where the main requirements are an interested attitude, a steady hand and calm nature, and a good memory. Good maths to A level or so is essential to understanding though.

    There are a huge numbers of niches,but unless you live on the south coast, Cambridge or the M4 corridor, yes for clever electronics, rather than musical socks and Arduino  level stuff, if you want choices of more than one or two employers  you probably need to be ready to move or commute. Though with modern working from home, not perhaps every day.

    M.

  • Simon (and mapj1) I think you are (society does) downplay the role and career opportunity of Technician. These are skilled people, often very skilled; and in senior positions able to test, certify and approve systems and repairs that degree qualified engineers cannot! Yes they will tend to be more in the hands-on repair, install and commission end of Electronic Systems; but that doesn't have to be oily-rag, it can also be software, optical, medical, test, production equipment. Further to the point, how many degree qualified engineers (and CEng's) are actually in hands-off engineering roles of management, marketing, sales, project-management, etc.? This is why it needs to be discussed, because Technicians really are Engineers! ... Your basic qualification just gives you the entry-point to your career. Your career is what you make it thereafter! The courses you pursue, the experience you get, the certifications you aquire, the specialities you pursue, the promotions and career changes you get. They all add up to your value as an engineer at that point in your life. 

Reply
  • Simon (and mapj1) I think you are (society does) downplay the role and career opportunity of Technician. These are skilled people, often very skilled; and in senior positions able to test, certify and approve systems and repairs that degree qualified engineers cannot! Yes they will tend to be more in the hands-on repair, install and commission end of Electronic Systems; but that doesn't have to be oily-rag, it can also be software, optical, medical, test, production equipment. Further to the point, how many degree qualified engineers (and CEng's) are actually in hands-off engineering roles of management, marketing, sales, project-management, etc.? This is why it needs to be discussed, because Technicians really are Engineers! ... Your basic qualification just gives you the entry-point to your career. Your career is what you make it thereafter! The courses you pursue, the experience you get, the certifications you aquire, the specialities you pursue, the promotions and career changes you get. They all add up to your value as an engineer at that point in your life. 

Children
No Data