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Useful experience for electronics engineers includes:

• electronics as a hobby
• design work
• work as an electronics technician
• experience testing electronic equipment
• work with computers or communications systems
• work experience in an electronics production environment.

Electronics engineers:

• research, design and supervise production of electronic circuits, components, equipment and computer programs
• investigate and test new electronics components and equipment
• present reports and proposals to clients or colleagues
• modify and service electronic, computer and communications equipment
• provide technical sales and support. 

High demand for electronics engineers

Demand for electronics engineers is high, particularly in Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington. There are opportunities in telecommunications, niche product design, and in sales and technical support for electronic equipment. However, opportunities for electronics engineers in senior technical design roles can be limited in New Zealand.

Electronics engineer and electronic engineering technician appear on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled electronics engineers and electronic engineering technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 951 electronics engineers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Graduates should target companies with training programmes  

Finding work can be challenging for graduates as many electronics companies are small and prefer engineers with three or more years' experience. However, some larger companies have graduate training programmes. 

More demand for electronics engineers in telecommunications 

There are good opportunities for electronics engineers who specialise in telecommunications to develop and upgrade mobile phone and broadband internet networks for government and telecommunications companies. 

Good demand for electronics engineers to design new products

New Zealand's electronic industry is small with most companies designing and manufacturing niche electronic products for export, and employing only a few staff. However, electronics engineers are in demand to research and design new electronic products in areas such as renewable energy and agricultural management systems, and to improve the efficiency of smart phones and other devices.

Most electronics engineers work for electronics design and manufacturing companies 

Electronics engineers generally work for electronics design and manufacturing companies. They can also work for:

• large companies that rely on engineers or service technicians for specialist electronic equipment
• companies providing sales and technical support for electronic equipment obtained from off-shore manufacturers 
• telecommunications companies.

Engineering New Zealand 

(04) 473 9444 - hello@engineeringnz.org - www.engineeringnz.org

Electronics engineers may progress to set up their own electronics business, or move into team leader or management roles.

Electronics engineers may specialise in:

• power electronics design 
• wireless RF (radio frequency) 
• computer hardware engineering
• semiconductor design 
• software development 
• mechatronics, including robotics design
• technical sales and support.  

Electronics engineers need to be:

• motivated
• creative and inquiring
• patient and persistent
• good written and oral communicators
• able to work independently, and as part of a team
• able to work to deadlines.