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Electronics engineer

Also called electro engineer, electronic engineer, electronic technology engineer

Electronics engineers research, design, and develop electronic systems such as circuits, semiconductor devices, and equipment that use electricity as a source of power. They work with capacitators, transistors, diodes or resistors to create electronic circuits and applications of use in fields such as telecommunications, acoustics, instruments, and control.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 11 countries now. 40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Electronics engineers · ILO

What you'd do

Electronics engineers · ILO
  • Advising on and designing electronic devices or components, circuits, semi-conductors and systems
  • Specifying production or installation methods, materials and quality standards, and directing production or installation work of electronic products and systems
  • Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of electronic systems, motors and equipment
  • Organising and directing maintenance and repair of existing electronic systems and equipment
  • Designing electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls
  • Researching and advising on radar, telemetry and remote control systems, microwaves and other electronic equipment
  • Designing and developing signal processing algorithms and implementing these through appropriate choice of hardware and software
  • Developing apparatus and procedures to test electronic components, circuits and systems
Approve engineering designUse technical drawing softwareCreate technical plansAdjust engineering designsDevelop electronic test procedures+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Computer Hardware Engineers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

11 EU countries are short of electronics engineers now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
11 of 27 countries report a shortage of electronics engineers, 2 a surplus.
Electronics engineers · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in electronics and automation is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Electronics and automation
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.42 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Designing and developing signal processing algorithms and implementing these through appropriate choice of hardware and software0.60
Researching and advising on radar, telemetry and remote control systems, microwaves and other electronic equipment0.55
Advising on and designing electronic devices or components, circuits, semi-conductors and systems0.53
Designing electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls0.46
Specifying production or installation methods, materials and quality standards, and directing production or installation work of electronic products and systems0.35
Developing apparatus and procedures to test electronic components, circuits and systems0.35
Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of electronic systems, motors and equipment0.33
Organising and directing maintenance and repair of existing electronic systems and equipment0.22

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for electronics engineers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).