A Day in the Life of an Electrical Systems Engineer at a Control System Manufacturer

The typical day of an electrical systems engineer working for a manufacturer of control system hardware can vary quite a bit, but it usually revolves around a mix of office work, site visits, and customer interactions. This role is both challenging and rewarding, as the engineer aims to ensure that lighting control systems meet the needs of commercial and industrial applications while adhering to energy and building codes.

Office Days

On a typical office day, the focus is on translating the plans created by consultants into practical, functional control systems. This involves:

Reviewing Consultant Drawings: Carefully examining the design drawings provided by consultants to understand the intended control logic and outcome. Applying Part Numbers: Matching the parts from the manufacturer's offering to the design provided by consultants to ensure a complete and comprehensive solution. Ensuring Compliance: Ensuring that the proposed control system will meet all applicable energy and building codes. Sending Out Estimates: After finalizing the design, the engineer sends out an application matrix for quotations to generate an estimate. Project Management: Collaborating with the CAD team to finalize and approve the single-line diagrams and other details necessary for the project, ensuring they align with the consultant's requirements and expectations.

On office days, a significant portion of the engineer's time is also spent addressing technical queries and troubleshooting issues raised by contractors or other stakeholders, providing clear and concise answers to queries related to wiring and system functionality.

Site Days

Site days are an integral part of the job, as they are crucial for ensuring that the control systems are installed correctly and that the final product meets the client's requirements. On these days, the engineer:

Monitoring the Installation: Visiting the construction site to observe the progress of the installation and to identify any potential issues before they become more significant. Quality Checks: Ensuring that the correct cables are purchased and installed, that the sensors and control devices are properly installed, and that all components function as intended. Addressing Specific Issues: Identifying any site-specific challenges and recommending solutions to ensure that the systems conform to the requirements set by the client or the building codes. Documentation: Verifying that the control network topology is correctly configured and that there are no last-minute issues that could hinder the commissioning process. Commissioning: Working closely with the commissioning team to ensure that the building can be safely "turned on" without any technical hiccups.

Meeting Days

Meeting days typically involve a mix of professional engagements and customer interactions. Some of the activities include:

Trade Shows: Participating in trade shows to showcase the latest product offerings and answer questions from potential clients. Customer Meetings: Meeting with customers to discuss their needs, evaluate their business, and provide training on the use of the products or services offered by the company. Trains and Learns Seminars: Conducting educational sessions to help customers understand how to use the products effectively. Sales Forecasts and Targets: Reviewing sales forecasts and targets with the team to ensure everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals. Networking: Engaging in conversations with colleagues to share insights and experiences, reinforcing a sense of camaraderie and collaboration within the team.

The work can be sporadic, with busier periods during the fall and winter, and a more relaxed schedule during the summer. The professional relationships with clients tend to be positive, with the goal always being to deliver high-quality solutions and provide excellent customer service.

Overall, the role of an electrical systems engineer is multifaceted and requires a blend of technical expertise, project management skills, customer-oriented mindset, and interpersonal skills. The flexibility and variety in the workday make it a fulfilling and dynamic career path.