Analog Test Engineer

For graduates of bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in electrical engineering, you may be interested in a career as an analog test engineer. An analog test engineer specializes in designing, assembling, testing, and troubleshooting all aspects of electronic devices. Through processes of analysis, design, research, and collaboration, analog test engineers play a critical role in ensuring the efficiency and integrity of analog circuits. Analog test engineers may work in the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, energy, healthcare, or telecommunications sectors. Many analog test engineers start their careers as analog design engineers, electrical engineers, or test engineers and work their way into the specialty. From these positions, they develop the applied skills, knowledge, and experience required of an analog test engineer. While some industries may require formal education, many organizations will hire candidates with a strong portfolio of projects, internships, and experiences in adjacent fields.

Responsibilities of an Analog Test Engineer

As an analog test engineer, you can expect to have daily duties related to the design, installation, and testing of analog circuits. The specifics of this role will vary depending on the company, their needs, and the industry they operate in. In general, the following responsibilities are common:

• Design, assemble, and test prototype devices
• Troubleshoot any issues with the circuits or prototypes
• Recommend corrective actions to improve or repair devices
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality assurance teams
• Conduct detailed research and stay abreast of industry best practices and advances

Throughout all of their work, analog test engineers must be detail oriented and organized. They must be able to work independently and collaborate with others. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are a must.

Analog Test Engineer Career Paths

With career growth, you may move into a management role such as a lead analog test engineer or an analog test engineering manager. These individuals oversee teams of analog test engineers, manage projects, and ensure that their teams are meeting project deadlines. With additional career growth, you may move into an executive leadership role, such as a director of engineering. By developing your skills and knowledge across the engineering lifecycle, you may also transition to an adjacent role, such as a systems engineer or a product manager.

Skills and Knowledge

To begin your career as an analog test engineer, a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering is common. Some employers may consider candidates with a strong portfolio of experiences in adjacent roles, as well as education and certifications. In addition to a formal education, the following skills and knowledge will help you succeed as an analog test engineer:

• Circuit analysis
• Analog circuit design
• Electronic test equipment
• Project management
• Communication and problem-solving skills

Projects for Self-Directed Learning

The best way to prepare yourself for a career as an analog test engineer is to start working on projects that will help you to develop the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. As an electrical engineering student, take the initiative to apply the theory learned in the classroom to practical projects to gain applied experience. The following are a few project ideas that you can work on to build your resume and make yourself a more competitive candidate:

• Design and build a simple analog circuit. This could be a simple amplifier, filter, or oscillator. Use the tools and skills you learn in the classroom and through self study.
• Troubleshoot a malfunctioning analog circuit. This could be a circuit that you built yourself or a circuit that you find online. Use your skills in circuit analysis and troubleshooting to identify the problem and fix it.
• Write a technical report on a topic in analog circuit design or testing. This could be a report on a new circuit design that you developed or a report on a new testing technique that you learned. Use the project report to demonstrate your writing and communication skills.

Online Courses

Analog test engineers can benefit from online courses to stay current with industry advancements, prepare for career growth, or make a career change from an adjacent area. Lectures, assignments, and projects from online courses enable you to learn and practice analog circuit design, analysis, and testing in a format that is often self-paced and flexible. Self-study in online courses can also help prepare learners for certification exams or to bolster their technical portfolio.

Conclusion

Analog test engineers have the opportunity to collaborate with a range of teams to bring products and services to market. They may work on complex projects that require them to apply knowledge of analog circuit design, analysis, and testing. Some analog test engineers may choose to specialize in a specific industry or type of device. These engineers have the potential to move into management or leadership roles with experience and career growth.