Career Spotlight: Circuit Design Engineer
Modern electronic circuits are complex devices that are the heart and soul of digital instruments. A well-designed electronic circuit is central to the function of the simplest gadget and the most complex supercomputer. Electronic circuits include resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, and diodes working together to control the flow of an electrical current that powers electronics. Circuit design engineers optimize how these pieces work together to perform to specified standards or to optimize their function.
What Does a Circuit Design Engineer Do?
In a career as an electronic circuit designer, you’d be building the essential elements that power electronic devices. Creating functional electronic circuits would be your core responsibility. Your role specifically would be to:
- Develop the circuit concept according to the parameters related to its intended use and performance requirements.
- Design the circuit, draw out the schematic, and outline the various interactions it will have to power electronics and component functions.
- Run SPICE simulations, short for simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis, virtual tests to identify issues prior to creating the physical circuit.
- Supervise the creation of prototypes to test in the real world.
- Oversee and quality-test full-scale electronic circuit manufacturing and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
- Optimize existing circuits with a continuous improvement mindset to boost reliability, efficiency, and performance.
- Collaborate with device designers to understand how electronic circuits integrate and function to inspire future concepts and designs.
Skills and Knowledge Circuit Designers Need
Success in this role requires that you have a deep understanding of electronic theory and that your knowledge is current regarding technological innovations. Continuous learning is a necessity in this role—you can’t rest on your existing knowledge because this field is undergoing incredibly fast change. You’ll also need to mix curiosity and creativity with your tech prowess. Understanding and working with the latest tools, like current iterations of SPICE simulations, is also critical.
Skills needed include:
- Being able to analyze and interpret schematics and complex data.
- Having strong attention to detail and being precise in conceiving, designing, testing, and perfecting circuits.
- Affinity for finding out where the problems are and how to solve them.
- Capacity for acquiring and using technical knowledge and the curiosity and motivation to engage in lifelong learning.
If you enjoy figuring out how things work and, more importantly, how to make things work better, you will enjoy this career.
How Much Can You Make?
The median pay for an electrical engineer in 2023 was $109,010 a year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in the role is expected to grow by 9% through 2033, much faster than average.
Circuit designers, as a specialty subset of the electronic engineering field, can potentially earn much more money. ZipRecruiter puts the average annual salary at $212,797 nationally.
How to Become a Circuit Design Engineer
To get started in this career, you need to earn a relevant degree that focuses on circuit theory and provides hands-on experience. It is also recommended that you choose a program that’s accredited by ABET.
At Excelsior University, you get practical experience as part of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology program. The broad educational foundation you gain from the carefully designed curriculum prepares you for a wide array of rewarding jobs in the field. And the career office is invaluable in helping you find internships and other opportunities that add value to your resume. It should also be noted that, because the field is always evolving, you’ll want to invest in ongoing learning and additional certifications.
Becoming a circuit design engineer is just one of the numerous jobs you can get with an EET degree. Explore the BS in Electrical Engineering Technology program page in depth to see the real value it provides as a foundation for your career in this endlessly fascinating, fast-changing, and well-paid field.
