How to Become an Electronics Design Manager

An electronics design manager supervises electronics research and development projects by providing technical leadership to engineers, technicians and support personnel. He also develops new projects and creates ways to improve manufacturing processes. In addition, an electronics design manager makes detailed plans to accomplish goals. If you would like to become an electronics design manager, there are a few things you should know about this career.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma or GED
• Bachelor's and master's degrees

Instructions

1. Satisfy the minimum requirements, which include being at least 18 years of age and earning a high school diploma or GED.

2. Obtain a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering or in a related engineering specialty.

3. Earn a master's degree in engineering (MEM) or business administration. A master's in business administration will prepare you to work in non-technical areas, such as marketing, human resources or sales.

4. Gain at least 2 years of work experience as an engineer. The amount of required work experience will depend upon the company.

5. Develop excellent leadership, administrative, communication, computer and technical skills. You should also be familiar with embedded micro-controllers, analogue-circuit design, servo motor control and firmware design, SMPS sensors and power supplies.

6. Decide where you would like to work once you become an electronics design manager. Some electronic design managers work for manufacturing industries that produce computer, electronic or transportation equipment. Others work for federal, state and local government agencies or for professional, scientific or technical-services industries.

7. Prepare to perform a wide variety of job duties, as you may be expected to hire and supervise employees, oversee budgets, conduct meetings, lead an electronics team, monitor designs, coordinate production activities, purchase supplies and create schedules. In addition, you must determine the staff best suited for each project and establish and conduct training.

8. Find job openings by visiting the job placement center at your university, or visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website to find a job (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• In order to become an electronics design manager, you must have the ability to multi-task and demonstrate effective communication skills.

• This job is demanding and can be stressful. You may have to work extended hours.

Resources

• The National Society of Professional Engineers for job listings.