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Electronics engineering technician

Also called signal processing technician, signal processing technologist, electronic equipment technician

Electronics engineering technicians work closely with electronics engineers in the development of electronic equipment and devices. Electronics engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining electronic devices.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 11 countries now. 27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Electronics engineering technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Electronics engineering technicians · ILO
  • Providing technical assistance in research and development of electronic equipment, or testing prototypes
  • Designing and preparing blueprints of electronic circuitry according to the specifications given
  • Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for the manufacture and installation of electronic equipment, according to the specifications given
  • Monitoring technical aspects of the manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment to ensure satisfactory performance and ensure compliance with specifications and regulations
  • Assisting in the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of electronic systems
  • Planning installation methods, checking completed installation for safety and controls or undertaking the initial running of the new electronic equipment or system
  • Conducting tests of electronic systems, collecting and analysing data, and assembling circuitry in support of electronics engineers
Liaise with engineersRead engineering drawingsAssist scientific researchRecord test dataAdjust engineering designs+ 16 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

11 EU countries are short of electronics engineering technicians now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
11 of 27 countries report a shortage of electronics engineering technicians, 4 a surplus.
Electronics engineering technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (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 technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in electronics and automation is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%
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?

Little

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 0.38 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Designing and preparing blueprints of electronic circuitry according to the specifications given0.57
Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for the manufacture and installation of electronic equipment, according to the specifications given0.46
Monitoring technical aspects of the manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment to ensure satisfactory performance and ensure compliance with specifications and regulations0.35
Assisting in the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of electronic systems0.35
Providing technical assistance in research and development of electronic equipment, or testing prototypes0.34
Conducting tests of electronic systems, collecting and analysing data, and assembling circuitry in support of electronics engineers0.33
Planning installation methods, checking completed installation for safety and controls or undertaking the initial running of the new electronic equipment or system0.25

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 engineering technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).