Electronics Engineers

Electronics engineers are expected to have employment growth of 9 percent through 2033, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This is must faster than the average for all occupations. Computer hardware engineers will have faster than average employment growth, 7 percent, during the same timeframe.

"Employment growth is expected as companies increasingly utilize the expertise of engineers for projects involving electrical and electronic devices, systems, and infrastructure," the U.S. Department of Labor explains. "These engineers are expected to have key roles in developing sophisticated consumer electronics, solar arrays, semiconductors, and communications technologies."

In the coming years, growing consumer, business, and government demand for improved electronic goods (including medical electronics, communications equipment, defense-related equipment, and consumer products such as computers and cell phones) is expected to create some new jobs for engineers.

Engineers will need to stay on top of changes within the electronics industry and will need additional training throughout their careers to learn new technologies. Economic trends and conditions within the global marketplace have become increasingly important. In the past, most electronics production was done in the United States or by American-owned companies. During the 1990s, this changed, and the electronics industry entered an era of global production. Worldwide economies and production trends will have a larger impact on U.S. production, and companies that cannot compete technologically may not succeed. Job security is no longer a sure thing, and many engineers can expect to make significant changes in their careers at least once. Electronics engineers who have a strong academic foundation, who have acquired technical knowledge and skills, and who stay up to date on changing technologies provide themselves with the versatility and flexibility to succeed within the electronics industry.