Electrical and Electronics Drafters

17-3012.00

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
• Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
• Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
• Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
• Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
• Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
• Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.
• Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.
• Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.
• Review work orders or procedural manuals and confer with vendors or design staff to resolve problems or modify design.
• 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, or tolerances.
• Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, or modify element.
• Review blueprints to determine customer requirements and consult with assembler regarding schematics, wiring procedures, or conductor paths.
• Study work order requests to determine type of service, such as lighting or power, demanded by installation.
• Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments, as necessary.
• Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.
• Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.
• Determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
• Visit proposed installation sites and draw rough sketches of location.
• 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.
• Select drill size to drill test head, according to test design and specifications, and submit guide layout to designated department.
• Plot electrical test points on layout sheets and draw schematics for wiring test fixture heads to frames.
• Write technical reports and draw charts that display statistics and data.
• Supervise and coordinate work activities of workers engaged in drafting, designing layouts, assembling, or testing printed circuit boards.
• Train students to use drafting machines and to prepare schematic diagrams, block diagrams, control drawings, logic diagrams, integrated circuit drawings, or interconnection diagrams.
• Prepare and interpret specifications, calculating weights, volumes, or stress factors.
• Supervise or train other technologists, technicians, or drafters.
• Use computer-aided drafting equipment or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, or traditional drafting tools, such as boards, pencils, protractors, or T-squares.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Cadence PSpice; MathWorks Simulink; Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE; SKM Systems Analysis Power Tools; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; Very high speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL simulation software
• Application server software - Linux Virtual Server
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Autodesk Revit ; Aveva Group Plant Design Management System PDMS; Bentley AutoPLANT; Bentley I/RAS B; Bentley MicroStation ; Bentley PlantSpace SupportModeler; Cadence OrCAD software; Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite; COADE CADWorx P&ID; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; ECT International Raceway Multi-Pack; Field programmable gate array FPGA design software; Intergraph INtools; Mentor Graphics Expedition Enterprise; Mentor Graphics PADS; Mentor Graphics Xpedition xDX Designer; NavisWorks Jetstream; PTC Creo Parametric; PTC Pro/Cable; PTC Pro/Pipe; SofTech CADRA; UGS Solid Edge; Zuken CADSTAR
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - 1CadCam Unigraphics
• Data base user interface and query software - Design specification database software; Microsoft Access 🔥; PCI Express PCIe; PEDYN P2000
• Development environment software - C 🔥; SystemVerilog; Tool command language Tcl; Verilog
• Document management software - PTC Windchill
• Electronic mail software - IBM Lotus Notes; Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Bowen & Groves M1 ERP; Enterprise resource planning ERP software; Epicor Vantage ERP; Exact Software Macola ERP; Made2Manage Systems M2M ERP; Manufacturing resource planning MRP software; Sage ERP Accpac; SAP software 🔥; SoftBrands Fourth Shift Edition
• Geographic information system - Geographic information system GIS systems
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
• Industrial control software - Programmable logic controller PLC software; Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Perl 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥; Magellan Firmware; Operating system software; UNIX 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Bentley Systems ProjectWise; Microsoft Project 🔥; Microsoft SharePoint 🔥; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Project Management; PTC Pro/INTRALINK
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Create schematic drawings for electronics.
• Create electrical schematics.
• Document technical design details.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
• Collect data about project sites.
• Design electrical equipment or systems.
• Review technical documents to plan work.
• Operate computer systems.
• Verify mathematical calculations.
• Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
• Operate digital imaging equipment.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Prepare technical reports for internal use.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.