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Job Definition
Draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic equipment.
Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Knowledge
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Skills
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
Tasks
Supervise and coordinate work activities of workers engaged in drafting, designing layouts, assembling, and testing printed circuit boards.
Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, and modify element.
Review work orders and procedural manuals and confer with vendors and design staff to resolve problems and modify design.
Review blueprints to determine customer requirements and consult with assembler regarding schematics, wiring procedures, and conductor paths.
Train students to use drafting machines and to prepare schematic diagrams, block diagrams, control drawings, logic diagrams, integrated circuit drawings, and interconnection diagrams.
Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks and photo plotting design onto film.
Select drill size to drill test head, according to test design and specifications, and submit guide layout to designated department.
Key and program specified commands and engineering specifications into computer system to change functions and test final layout.
Copy drawings of printed circuit board fabrication, using print machine or blueprinting procedure.
Plot electrical test points on layout sheets, and draw schematics for wiring test fixture heads to frames.
Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry and printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
Consult with engineers to discuss and interpret design concepts, and determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.
Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop, compute, and verify specifications for drafting data, such as configuration of parts, dimensions, and tolerances.
Wages

Data not available

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 3,900 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 4,100 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 20 openings due to growth and about 110 replacement openings for approximately 130 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD - A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working schematics and representations in support of electrical/electronic engineers, computer engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in basic electronics, electrical systems and computer layouts; electrode-mechanical drafting; manufacturing circuitry; computer-aided drafting (CAD); and electrical systems specification interpretation.
Similar Occupations
Mechanical Engineers - Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of such equipment as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Architectural Drafters - Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
Civil Drafters - Prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewerage control systems.
Mechanical Drafters - Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Electronics Engineering Technicians - Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electronic components, parts, equipment, and systems, such as computer equipment, missile control instrumentation, electron tubes, test equipment, and machine tool numerical controls, applying principles and theories of electronics, electrical circuitry, engineering mathematics, electronic and electrical testing, and physics. Usually work under direction of engineering staff.
Electrical Engineering Technicians - Apply electrical theory and related knowledge to test and modify developmental or operational electrical machinery and electrical control equipment and circuitry in industrial or commercial plants and laboratories. Usually work under direction of engineering staff.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment - Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers - Develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.
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