Electrical, electronics and avionics engineers are important jobs in the space industry as all spacecraft involve a number of electrical and electronic systems and instrumentation.
The Rundown
What do electrical, electronics and avionics engineer do?
Electrical, electronics and avionics engineers design, construct, install, maintain and test electronic and electrical systems including communications, navigation and control.
Avionics is the application of electrical and electronic systems to aircraft and spacecraft. Depending on their purpose, all spacecraft involve a number of electrical and electronic systems and instrumentation. They are like the nervous system of a spacecraft. These systems include power, communication, navigation, guidance, thermal management and other control systems.
What you’ll need to know and do
Electrical, electronic and aviation engineers might work on anything from individual components like circuit boards, sensors and microprocessors through to the entire electrical system of a spacecraft. They can work on everything from designing new systems to testing and troubleshooting faults.
Your study pathway
The minimum study requirement to work as an electrical, electronic or avionics engineer is typically a relevant undergraduate degree in engineering.
Degrees in the following study areas may also be relevant to becoming an electrical, electronic or avionics engineer:
- aeronautical engineering
- aerospace engineering
- electrical/electronics engineering.
Almost all universities in Australia offer degrees in engineering. Visit individual university websites for more information.
Postgraduate qualifications by coursework or research in relevant areas of engineering may also support a career as an electrical, electronic or avionics engineer.
