What Is Electronics and Communication Engineering?

Electronics and communication engineering (ECE) comprises communication engineering and the core of electrical engineering. A career in this field can be very diverse and rewarding. Knowing more about this profession will help you determine if it is the right career path for you. In this article, we explain what electronics and communication engineering is, discuss what an engineer with this specialisation does and tell you how to become one.

What is electronics and communication engineering?

Electronics and communication engineering (ECE) is a discipline of engineering that involves developing and testing electronic circuits and communication devices like transmitters, receivers and integrated circuits. Engineers who specialise in this domain often need to utilise the principles of digital and analogue transmission and reception of signals. This field of engineering also involves working with microprocessors, solid-state devices, satellite communication tools, circuits and electronic devices.

What does an electronics & communication engineer do?

Electronics and communication engineer use their knowledge, creativity and analytical skills to design, develop and oversee the production of electronic and communication tools and systems. Here are a few activities an electronics and communication engineer perform:

• Do research, design and develop electronic equipment used in different systems

• Look after the manufacturing of communication and broadcast systems

• Conceptualise and design electronic equipment like radio, television, computer

• Develop control and communications systems

• Write usage recommendations

• Test designs in order to ensure efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety of new prototypes

• Test and evaluate electronic and communication products

• Plan and execute electronics and communication projects 

Electronics and communication engineer salary

The average annual salary for electronics and communication engineers in India is ₹2,42,729. However, your actual salary will depend on your experience, job location and other factors. Senior electronics and communication engineers earn more than entry-level employees.

What are the top employment areas for electronics and communication engineers?

Here are a few sectors where an electronics and communication engineer can find work opportunities:

Telecom sector

In this field of engineering, you will learn how to design and develop telecom equipment and manage and transmit telecom data through different modes of communication. This helps you get a job in the telecom sector.

IT sector

You should have coding skills to get a job in the IT sector. In electronics and communication engineering, you will learn the basics of computer science and programming languages. Thus, you can easily find a job in the IT sector.

Machine learning and robotics

You will study the basics of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of your engineering curriculum. With that knowledge, you can easily find a job in the machine learning and robotics sector. An ECE professional with an interest in machine learning mainly does research work.

Network communications

The principles of network communications are based upon the fundamentals of digital communication. Since an electronics and communication engineer possesses in-depth knowledge of communication devices, they can easily find a job in this sector.

Types of jobs you can do in the ECE field

Below are a few jobs you can do as an electronics and communication engineer:

1. Desktop support engineer

National average salary: ₹2,01,790 per year

Primary duties: This job is of utmost importance for the continuous running of business operations. As a desktop support engineer, you will handle server issues and fix security problems. You will be primarily responsible for handling the organisation's computer network to ensure its smooth functioning.

2. Communications engineer

National average salary: ₹2,83,135 per year

Primary duties: Communications engineer primarily design, manage and monitor electrical and communication devices. They also do site surveys, enhance networks and ensure that services and products are delivered on time.

3. Technical director

National average salary: ₹2,63,954 per year

Primary duties: Technical directors are responsible for handling the complete project cycle and ensuring resource efficiency and technical quality by adopting different quality assurance methods. They also supervise administration operations and create performance-oriented strategies.

4. Electronics engineer

National average salary: ₹2,42,729 per year

Primary duties: Electronics engineers are primarily responsible for designing devices like computers, mobile phones, music systems. They are also responsible for innovating and developing new ideas, control systems and machinery in different industries.

How to become an electronics and communications engineer

You should earn an electronics and communications engineering degree and gain practical experience in this field to secure a job as an electronics and communications engineer. The below steps will guide you on how to become an electronics and communications engineer:

1. Study maths and physics in your 10+2

Many aspiring engineers begin preparing themselves for their careers during their higher secondary education. Studying advanced mathematics, including algebra, calculus, and trigonometry, and physics courses during your 10+2 can provide a strong foundation for electronics and communications engineering courses.

2. Earn a bachelor's degree

Typically, you need to secure at least 50% marks in your science subjects like mathematics and physics in your 10+2 to be eligible to sit an engineering entrance exam. There are different engineering entrance exams at the national and state levels. Here are some of the entrance exams:

• The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main

• Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)

• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

• Odisha Joint Entrance Examination

• West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE)

• The Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE)

Depending on your location and preferences, you can choose to sit any of those entrance exams. Upon clearing the entrance test, you will get admission into an engineering college for a four-year Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication.

3. Build experience

Practical working experience is essential for most ECE job positions. You can develop your experience via internships or via shadowing professionals during your graduation days. It will help to enhance your skills and will help you get a good job once you complete your studies. In addition, on-the-job experience is a prerequisite to gain key certifications like the Professional Engineer (PE) license.

4. Acquire certifications or engineering license

To enhance your career, you can get a Professional Engineer licence. To get a PE licence, you can give an exam by fulfilling the eligibility criteria. You should have a bachelor's degree in engineering recognised by the Statutory Authority or Government of India and a minimum of five years of professional work experience.

5. Enhance your resume

You should keep enhancing your resume with the latest experience and new skills developed over time. You should look for certifications and skills that are in demand in the industry and try to enhance those skills. Also, to increase your chances to get shortlisted by a potential employer, customise your resume as per the job you are planning to apply for.

Related: How To Make a Resume (With Examples)

Essential skills for electronics and communication engineer

Strong technical and interpersonal skills help electronics and communications engineers excel in their chosen careers. Focus on developing the following skills during your studies and work to succeed as an electronics engineer:

Technical Knowledge

Electronics and communication engineers require a thorough knowledge of technical concepts including circuit design and the operation of electronic devices. You should also have expertise in common programming languages such as C++ and Java.

Ability to work as a team

Electronics and communication engineers typically work as part of a team, so they must be able to work well with others. They know how to communicate with others and encourage them so they feel comfortable sharing their ideas. They get to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the people they work with regularly and know how to use these traits to achieve the best project results.

Creativity

The electronics industry is driven by innovation, so electronics and communication engineers must be creative to help their employers succeed. Creative minds identify solutions that can help electronics products last longer, be more user-friendly and operate faster and more sustainably.

Written and verbal communication

Communicating well is a key part of teamwork, but a good electronics and communication engineer should know how to communicate with people outside their team as well. This often involves speaking to clients and colleagues outside the engineering department about technical concepts using more accessible language.

Related: How To Improve Communication Skills

Attention to detail

Working as an electronics and communication engineer requires keen attention to detail. They need to ensure calculations are correct and any design flaws are identified and corrected before equipment reaches the marketplace. The best engineers use their attention to detail to ensure accuracy in their own work and the work of others around them. Employing engineers with attention to detail can help businesses maintain a reputation for quality.

Time management

Electronics and communication engineers work to strict deadlines, so good time management skills are essential. They must prioritise time-sensitive tasks and plan their work effectively to complete projects accurately, on time and at a high standard. As electronics and communication engineers work as part of a team, they must also ensure their time schedule matches the work of their colleagues.

Related: Time Management Skills: Definition and Examples