Job Profile: Electrical Engineering

Pathway: Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering has recently experienced huge developments due to the significant increase in electric vehicles and widespread use of electronic hardware in robotics, automation and other fields. Military electrical engineers possess a wide range of technical skills that transfer well into civvy street engineering, with a wealth of opportunity to grow and develop with some fantastic Forces-Friendly employers. 

WHAT DOES AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER DO IN CIVVY STREET?

In a nutshell, electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical systems for buildings, transport systems/electric vehicles and power distribution networks. As an electrical engineer in civvy street, you have an option to work across a range of industries, such as construction, transport, energy, building services, and manufacturing.

HOW MUCH DOES AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER MAKE IN THE UK?

On average, you can expect to earn £33,000 - and as you climb the ladder into more senior roles, you can earn up to £50,000.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO BECOME AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER?

Soft Skills

• Analytical and planning skills

• Project management

• Problem solving

• Organisational

• Leadership and resilience

• Communication skills

• Negotiation skills

• Self-discipline, reliability and work ethic

• Team player

• Adaptability and resourcefulness

Hard Skills

Military electrical engineers can be skilled in the following areas:

• Servicing and fault repair within engineering and electronic workshops.

• Providing engineering maintenance to aircraft, weapons and ground support equipment such as radars, navigation systems, aircraft defensive systems, weapon systems, aircraft flight control systems, power generators, air conditioning units, X-ray security machines, vehicle electrical systems, optical electronics and propulsion systems.

• Installing temporary electrical systems.

• Assisting experienced technicians in more complex repair tasks.

• Using test apparatus to find electrical system faults.

• Battle damage repair - which requires a combination of fault diagnosis, problem solving and hasty repair, often in challenging environments.

• Leading teams of skilled technicians by managing and directing their work.

• Following standard engineering practices and completing the associated documentation.

• Managing engineering projects.

• Managing teams of staff.

HOW DO I GET INTO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING?

Gaining an engineering apprenticeship which is being offered by a number of top engineering companies is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain commercial engineering experience. You can find out more about apprenticeship opportunities here. Training courses and further education is another route to explore, you can find out what is available to you here.

Once you get your foot in the door, there are a wide range of opportunities available to mechanical engineers, you can climb the career ladder to become a senior electrical engineer to become an electrical engineer manager. Or explore your engineering skills further and become an avionics engineer or use your skills to go into project or operations management.

TOP FORCES-FRIENDLY ENGINEERING ORGANISATIONS HIRING EX-MILITARY ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS

Submit your CV and search for our latest ex-military engineering jobs and let the opportunities come to you!