Careers with a Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Updated power grids help communities recover from disasters, miniaturized chemical sensors guard vital crops against pests, and implantable devices could bring detailed sound to people living with hearing loss. Technological advances have the power to transform lives and revolutionize industries, and engineers make these leaps possible. Electrical and computer engineering careers offer tremendous opportunities to make an impact by designing, developing, testing, and supervising manufacturing operations for innovative devices and equipment.

Professionals who are prepared to address emerging challenges with sophisticated solutions can build many different types of electrical and computer engineering careers and discover a variety of engineering job prospects. To succeed in these roles, you need a combination of advanced technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and soft skills. Understanding the employment landscape for engineers can help you capture promising opportunities and make a difference in the next generation of technology.

Is There a Demand for Electrical Engineers?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the years ahead will bring a steady increase in electrical engineering positions. As of 2016, the BLS projected a 7 percent increase in jobs for electrical and electronics engineers through 2026, in line with the average increase for all occupations.

Top Job Titles for Electrical Engineering Careers

• Circuits Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Electrical Controls Engineer
• Electrical Design Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Electrical Project Engineer
• Instrumentation and Electrical Reliability Engineer
• Power Systems Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Test Engineer

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Engineering service providers, which offer companies the technical expertise required for specific projects, are the biggest employers for professionals in the field. Engineers who work for these companies may be enlisted to design a wide range of new devices and systems. Electrical engineering skills are also in demand at utility companies, research and development firms, and manufacturers of electronic components.

Working with electrical systems can bring both fascinating challenges and financial rewards. Per BLS, the median electrical engineering salary was $95,060 as of May 2017, with the highest paying jobs available in research and development, followed by electronics manufacturing.

Excelling in electrical engineering roles requires extensive knowledge of science, mathematics, and the latest software tools. However, professionals also need to develop the ability to collaborate productively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate with clients and decision-makers, even if they have limited understanding of the relevant technical concepts. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the most important tasks for electrical engineering roles include:

• Using computer-assisted engineering or design software and equipment
• Creating technical drawings and specifications for electrical systems
• Communicating with fellow engineers, customers, and other stakeholders about projects
• Designing, implementing, and maintaining electrical equipment and instruments
• Ensuring manufacturing, maintenance, and testing processes comply with all applicable requirements and regulations
• Gathering data on projects and preparing reports

What Can I Do as a Computer Engineer?

There are various types of jobs for computer engineers, but many involve building and testing systems in research laboratories. According to the BLS, over a quarter of computer hardware engineers work in systems design and related services, while other top employers include manufacturers of computers, peripheral equipment, or electronics. The agency predicted 4,000 new jobs would emerge in this field between 2016 and 2026, noting that growth could accelerate as more companies outside of the traditional computer and electronics industries start developing devices of their own. For example, advances in the smart home market are likely to be bring an influx of devices with embedded computer hardware and software.

Computer hardware engineers may be responsible to:

• Design and test prototypes for hardware
• Document each phase of development processes
• Establish a system’s power supply requirements
• Evaluate system performance and software compatibility
• Update hardware to work with new software

To fulfill these tasks, engineers must be highly familiar with design techniques, the essential components that go into computer systems, and the latest technological leaps in speedily advancing fields. Computer hardware engineers are adept at using tools for analysis and computer-aided design to solve problems and create systems that are compatible with new software as it come. To excel in engineering roles and move into leadership positions, professionals must also be able to work productively with teams, clearly conveying ideas to experts from multiple disciplines and stakeholders at all levels of an organization.

The BLS reported that the median computer engineering salary was $115,120 in May 2017. The top-paying organizations for these roles include makers of semiconductors and other electronic components, research and development firms, and manufacturers of computers and peripherals.

Top Job Titles for Computer Engineering Careers

• Design Engineer
• Engineer
• Field Service Engineer
• Hardware Design Engineer
• Hardware Engineer
• Network Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Senior Hardware Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Systems Integration Engineer

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Technological leaps continue to revolutionize how we live and work, from smart devices that make manufacturing safer and more efficient to 5G networks allowing communication at unprecedented speed. In electrical and computer engineering careers, you can create and maintain the next wave of products, devices, and systems.

Elevate Your Job Prospects with the University of Utah’s Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The University of Utah online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) degree equips students with advanced skills in solving engineering problems, building effective systems, and leading multidisciplinary teams. Utah is a tier one research university, listed at No.11 for Best Value in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings and among the nation’s best engineering schools by U.S. News and World Report.

Our faculty offer individualized mentorship and draw insights from their own cutting-edge research to teach the latest methods and tools. You can complete your MSECE entirely online, fitting a world-class education into your schedule while discovering opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. The University of Utah Career and Development Center helps students achieve their long-term goals with a variety of resources and career coaches who are available for online appointments.