Electronics

As electronics is now incorporated into virtually every sector of the economy, it offers a wide range of job possibilities. Some of these occupations are focused on assembling, testing, repairing and inspecting consumer, and industrial equipment and other electrical products and systems. Others involve designing, developing and testing the production and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems. Everything from satellite systems to ski lift controls requires workers with training in electronics.

Specific tasks that electronic technologists and engineers may perform include linking computer networks to hydraulic systems, establishing communication links to remote locations or designing and retrofitting electrical systems. Technicians are involved in the installation, set-up and repair of these same types of systems. Depending on their area of expertise, people in electronics need to know and understand many different electronic concepts with background in the applied sciences. As technology continues to grow and evolve everything could one day be electronically based, which makes electronics an occupation of the future.

Main dutiesElectronics assemblers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Solder and manually assemble various electronic components such as resistors, diodes, transistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, switches, wires and other electronic parts to designated locations on printed circuit boards
• Assemble microcircuits requiring fine hand assembly, the use of microscopes and adherence to cleanroom procedures
• Install, mount, fasten, align and adjust parts, components, wiring and harnesses to subassemblies and assemblies using hand and small power tools
• Operate automatic and semi-automatic machines to position, solder and clean prescribed components on printed circuit boards
• May replace defective components and repair and overhaul older devices.

Electronics assemblers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Solder and manually assemble various electronic components such as resistors, diodes, transistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, switches, wires and other electronic parts to designated locations on printed circuit boards
• Assemble microcircuits requiring fine hand assembly, the use of microscopes and adherence to cleanroom procedures
• Install, mount, fasten, align and adjust parts, components, wiring and harnesses to subassemblies and assemblies using hand and small power tools
• Operate automatic and semi-automatic machines to position, solder and clean prescribed components on printed circuit boards
• May replace defective components and repair and overhaul older devices.

Electronics fabricators perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate and monitor process equipment including automatic and semi-automatic machines to fabricate electronic components, solder, clean, seal and stamp components and perform other process operations as specified
• Set up process equipment and adhere to cleanroom procedures as required.

Electronics inspectors perform some or all of the following duties:

• Inspect electronic components and assemblies to ensure correct component selection and placement, wiring and soldering quality, proper pin insertions, location and diameter of plated holes, breaks in circuitry and line spacing in printed circuit board and other specified requirements while products are being assembled or fabricated
• Check final assembly for finish, labelling and packaging methods
• Check mechanical dimensions and perform "go-no-go" electrical tests
• Identify and mark acceptable and defective assemblies and return faulty assemblies to production for repair
• Collect, record and summarize inspection results
• Investigate equipment malfunction and instruct on proper operation.

Who do they work for?

• Commercial companies
• Government utilities
• Consulting engineering firms
• Educational institutions
• Resource based industries
• High technology design
• Manufacturing
• Communication companies
• Self-employed

Sample titles

• Electrical Equipment Inspector
• Electronic Products Deisgner
• Electrical Engineering Technologist
• Capacitor assembler
• Component inserting machine operator
• Electronics tester

Essential Skills

• Numeracy
• Thinking: Critical
• Document use

How to join the field

• Completion of secondary school is usually required for electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers.
• On-the-job training is usually provided for occupations in this unit group.
• A two-year apprenticeship and voluntary trade certification is available for electronics assemblers in Ontario and Saskatchewan.
• Electronics testers may require post-secondary courses in basic electronic theory, testing techniques and testing equipment.
• Electronics inspectors and testers may require experience as an electronics assembler or component fabricator.

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