ENGINEERING | AREAS OF WORK
ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING This industry offers graduates numerous opportunities for specialisation.
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hether it is a manufacturer of high-volume consumer products, like Samsung and Apple, or specialised medical equipment providers, such as Accuray – electronics companies encompass many areas of expertise. Key players like Seagate, Broadcom and STMicroelectronics, for instance, have selected Singapore as their Southeast Asian centre of operations thanks to the city-state’s advanced infrastructure and facilities. In fact, the electronics sector is a major industry that underpins the small nation’s economic growth. Moreover, the role of the electronics industry is rapidly changing, and there is an increasing demand for devices, machines and systems to be more connected and “smarter”.
Career overview Although graduates can expect an exciting career full of innovation and developments, roles in the industry are very broad, and job descriptions in different areas of choice can vary greatly. With enough experience and expertise, electronics engineers may also opt to become specialised consultants later on in their career as there is a huge market for independent contractors and consultants in the sector.
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STEM Career Guide 2021
Trends and developments
Working with cutting-edge technology
Globally, miniaturisation is a constant pursuit, and manufacturers continue to do their best to pack the best technology into the most compact size possible. On the subject of growing trends, the present focus is on “wearable” technologies, such as Apple’s smart watch and Fitbit, which allows information to be fed to users in a non-intrusive way. Some of Singapore’s key strengths in electronics manufacturing lie in semiconductors and integrated devices, but the government is also looking to expand into other areas, such as microelectronics. This translates to increased R&D investments in coming years along the production line, from componentlevel design and processes, to product designs, firmware development and even industrial design.
Another highlight is the opportunity to work with advanced technology, using it to manufacture other technologies.
Career highlights Diversity Many electronics engineers enjoy the diversity within the sector, where they not only get to explore a variety of fields, but also solve difficult technical problems in a creative way.
Work satisfaction Most engineers simply appreciate the satisfaction of seeing their finished products hit the market, and take motivation from bearing responsibility for their products capable of influencing daily life. Skills required in electronic engineering
• Ability to work in a team • Good interpersonal skills • Ability to prioritise and plan effectively • Good decision-making skills • Problem-solving skills
