How Do I Become an Electrical Project Engineer?

An electrical project engineer coordinates team efforts and resources as well as oversees activities to achieve electrical engineering project development. He or she must be able to effectively evaluate costs, specifications, and plans. Technical support for previously developed products also fall to the electrical project engineer. Work environments for electrical project engineers include offices, laboratories, and government entities. To become an electrical project engineer, you will need the proper education, experience, and skill sets.

Before you can become an electrical project engineer, you must have a grasp of electrical engineering practices and principles. In addition, an understanding of math, engineering software, and typical engineering tools are essential to success. These skill sets can be obtained through formal education and job experience.

Attain a bachelor's degree in engineering with an emphasis on electrical engineering as a first step to become an electrical project engineer. In addition to engineering and math courses, take classes in computers and software use. If your college does not have a degree available with an emphasis on electrical engineering, focus on closely related courses. Get the best grade point average possible to put yourself ahead of other applicants when you begin your job search.

Pass all regionally required license exams and attain proper licensing. Regions that mandate licensing to become an electrical project engineer set their own fees and criteria for passing the exams. Comply with all requirements to be able to take the tests.

Work as an electrical engineer for a minimum of three years. Build a resume that shows increasing levels of responsibility in the field of electrical engineering. Volunteer for new work projects, offer to lead engineering teams, and document your accomplishments for later resume use. While gaining electrical engineering experience, observe the project engineer to learn what duties set him or her apart from the rest of the team. Document some of those duties to use in developing your resume.

Develop people management skills. Take on projects that require communication skills and work to practice and improve those skills. Build an expert understanding of a variety of computer programs, including spreadsheets, word processing, and computer-aided design (CAD_. Gain experience using tools common to the electrical engineering field.

Design a resume specifically to become an electrical project engineer. Highlight skill sets required for the job. Showcase accomplishments that would typically be required of an electrical project engineer. Detail educational achievements, such as graduating in the top 10 percent of your class, if that is the case. If not, simply include your university name, year of graduation, and type of degree attained.

Apply for electrical project engineering positions. Network through business associates to develop job leads. Send follow-up emails and calls to reiterate your interest in the position. Present your most professional attitude at the interview and secure the job.