Electronics Career Guide

Potential Roles in Electronics

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The electronics industry provides many opportunities, from entry-level operations positions to advanced and highly skilled engineering roles. Here, we’ll look at a junior role on an assembly line, a generalised engineering position, and a more specialist role focusing on the fast-moving field of robotics.

Electronics engineers maintain, improve, and optimise existing electronic equipment and technology and innovate and develop new solutions.

An electronics engineering job suits someone with an eye for detail and a can-do attitude. As well as the practical, hands-on aspects of this career, much of the planning and developing work involves IT systems and computers. Electronics engineers can work independently on smaller tasks or oversee and manage engineering teams on larger projects.

Robotics engineers work to develop, test and maintain machines that perform automated tasks. The word ‘robots’ conjures up images of walking, talking, lifelike machines, but in reality, most robotics engineers work on machinery used in manufacturing and production. Robotics engineering jobs are available across a range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, scientific, commercial and logistics.

PCB assemblers work on a production line to assemble the printed circuit boards used in electronic devices like computers, phones, washing machines and other household or commercial equipment. These circuit boards are built by hand, using a heat gun, tools, machines and components. A PCB assembly job is hands-on work that can be learned through on-the-job training.

 

Salary and Career Progression

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The electronics industry offers a wide range of career opportunities from hands-on entry-level roles to highly specialised senior and managerial roles, each with specific technical demands and skill requirements. salary ranges vary, but electronics can be a lucrative industry to work in with plenty of scope for professional growth.

Electronics engineers normally enter the profession after graduating, starting in a junior or training role. There are many opportunities for career progression through promotion into managerial positions, moving to larger organisations, or specialising in a specific area of electronics.

In the UK, an electronics engineer can expect to start on a salary of between £25,000 and £33,000. Mid level salaries range from £30,000 to £45,000. Senior engineers can earn from £45,000 to over £65,000, with chartered engineers often earning up to £100,000.

In the US, starting salaries range from $67,000 to $88,000. A mid level career electronics engineer can expect to earn between $88,000 and $110,000. The salary expectation for a senior role is generally $110,000 to over $185,000.

Robotics engineers are in high demand, with the need for skilled professionals far exceeding supply. As robotics technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, career opportunities in this field are set to boom.

In the UK, salaries vary greatly, depending on the level of seniority and the employer. Junior robotics engineers can expect to start on £25,000to £35,000. With experience, mid career robotics engineers can earn between £40,000 and £58,000. Senior engineers can expect a salary of over £65,000, rising to £90,000 for more specialised roles.

In the US, robotics engineers generally start on a salary range of $71,000 to $88,000. Mid career engineers can earn between $94,000 and $122,000. The salary range for a senior robotics engineer role is $129,000 to over $175,000.

PCB assemblers in both the UK and the US can be paid by the hour or on an annual salary. In the UK trainee PCB assemblers can expect to earn around £9-12 per hour or between £21,000 and £23,000 per year. Experienced workers can earn up to £27,000, with some reports showing salaries slightly higher depending on location and employer. In the US, trainee PCB assemblers earn $15–$17 per hour or an annual salary of between $33,000 and $39,000. The salary range for an experienced PCB assembler is $38,000 to $48,000.

As a PCB assembler, there is limited scope for career progression. However, it may be possible to move into a managerial role, overseeing an assembly line or superising other PCB assemblers. You could also train to become a PCB designer.

 

Qualifications, Education and Experience

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Electronics engineers are trained and skilled professionals. The following qualification may be necessary or beneficial:

In the UK

• 4-5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C-A**) in subjects like maths, physics, and technology
• 2-3 A Levels, including maths and physics
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering subject, or maths or physics
• Ideally, a degree accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) or another professional body
• Postgraduate qualifications can be advantageous, especially for specialisation or chartered status
• NVQ Level 3, Higher National Diploma, or an apprenticeship, followed by experience working as an electronics technician, to access further industry training

In the US

• High school diploma with strong grades in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering
• Bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field
• Ideally, a degree accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or another professional body
• Postgraduate qualifications aren’t always required but can help you land senior or specialised roles
• Technical certificate/diploma, associate degree, or apprenticeship, followed by relevant industry experience

Robotics engineers can enter the field with a university degree or relevant training. The following qualifications can be beneficial:

In the UK

• 4-5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C-A**) in subjects like maths, physics, and computing
• 2-3 A Levels, usually including maths, physics, and computer science
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, like robotics engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science or maths
• Robotics engineering apprenticeship
• Postgraduate qualifications can be advantageous, especially for specialisations in AI, automation, or autonomous systems
• Higher National Certificate or Diploma in a relevant subject, like robotics, computing or automation, followed by industry experience

In the US

• High school diploma with strong grades in mathematics, physics, and computer science
• Associate degree in robotics engineering or mechatronics
• Apprenticeship in robotics and mechatronics
• Technical diploma in robotics, automation, or electronics
• Bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science
• Ideally, a degree accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or another professional body
• Postgraduate qualifications aren’t mandatory but can be useful if you want to follow a senior or specialised route

PCB assemblers don’t need formal qualifications, but having relevant training and education can improve your job prospects, including:

In the UK

• GCSEs at grade 4 or above (C or above), especially in maths, science, and technology
• Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject, like manufacturing, computing or engineering
• PCB assembly apprenticeship
• Workplace training and experience

In the US

• High school diploma
• Associate degree in electronics technology or electrical engineering
• Technical certification in relevant subjects like soldering or PCB assembly
• PCB assembly apprenticeship
• Workplace training and experience

 

Skills

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Electronics engineers can benefit from a mixture of technical and soft skills, including:

• Excellent IT skills, computer-aided design (CAD), and a knowledge of circuit design
• Attention to detail and diligence
• Problem solving, including critical, analytical, and logical thinking
• Adaptability
• Sound knowledge of mathematics
• Self-motivation
• Ability to work well in a team
• Organisational skills
• Good communication skills and the ability to explain concepts to people with less technical know-how

Robotics engineers are highly skilled professionals who can benefit from the following skills:

• Logical and strategic thinking
• High-level technical ability, including mechanical, electrical, and software engineering
• Attention to detail and diligence
• Patience and adaptability
• Excellent mathematical knowledge and ability
• Problem-solving skills
• Self-motivation
• Ability to work well in a team
• IT skills and an awareness of robotics software

PCB assemblers can benefit from a mixture of technical and soft skills, including:

• Dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination
• Attention to detail and diligence
• Efficiency and speed
• Patience and problem solving skills
• The ability to comfortably work with machinery and tools
• Good eyesight
• Teamwork and communication

 

Working Hours

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Working hours vary depending on industry and employer. Many electronics professionals work standard office hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, certain industries such as electronics manufacturing, semiconductor production, and automation often operate rotating shifts to avoid downtime. In these sectors, employees may work early mornings, evenings, overnight shifts, or at weekends.

 

Notable Locations

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Jobs in electronics are available all around the UK. Some areas have large companies where you may be more likely to find job opportunities, including:

 

• West Midlands
• Cardiff and South Wales
• Glasgow
• Strathclyde
• Cambridge
• London
• Surrey
• South Lanarkshire
• Manchester
• Cheshire
• Reading and Berkshire

In the US

• California
• Washington
• Massachusetts
• Texas
• Arizona
• Virginia and Maryland
• New York
• Illinois

 

Notable Companies

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The UK and US are home to many leading electronics companies. Here are some key players in the industry:

In the UK

• Arm: a UK semiconductor and software design company with over 6000 employees working in automotive, Internet of Things (IoT), computing and consumer technologies
• Farnell: Global electronics distributor company with a UK base in Leeds. Employs over 3000 people in the UK
• Toppan: multi-billion-pound company providing semiconductor solutions for electronics manufacturers. Based in London, with over 50k employees
• Siemens: leading UK electronics and engineering company spanning automation, healthcare, and industrial technology, with several sites around the UK and opportunities to work abroad

In the US

• Intel: global leader in semiconductor manufacturing. Based in California. Over 100,000 employees worldwide.
• Texas Instruments: specialises in processing chips, with operations across the US. Around 34,000 employees worldwide.
• Apple: major player in consumer electronics, designing chips and hardware for its devices. 90,000 employees in the US alone.
• Cisco Systems: designs, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, and security solutions. Major offices and research facilities in California, Texas, and North Carolina. Employs over 43,000 people in the US.

 

Next Steps

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