How to Become a Electrical power engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineer develop methods, instruments, and systems to harness the power of electrical energy and radiation. Electrical power engineers may work in any area of the electrical power cycle from production and transportation of fuel to operation and monitoring of electrical power stations to disposal and containment of electrical waste. They also might be required to work on improving specialized medical imaging techniques. Electrical power job includes developing manufacturing processes by designing and modifying equipment for building and assembling electrical components; soliciting observations from operators and assuring product quality by designing electrical testing methods; testing finished products and system capabilities. Electrical engineering professionals also prepare product reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends and provide engineering information by answering questions and requests.

Examining

Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers are required to examine accidents in order to obtain data that can be used to design preventive measures. They are also required to monitor electrical power facility operations in order to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or that jeopardize the safety of operations. Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer also keep a check record of developments and changes in the electrical field by reading technical journals and by independent study and research.

Experimentation

As an electrical power engineer, one has to perform experiments that provide information about acceptable methods of electrical material usage, electrical fuel reclamation, and waste disposal. Additionally, he/she is required to conduct research applying the fundamentals of electrical engineering to find efficient solutions for the issues evolving during the experiment or project.

Designing

Electrical power engineers design and develop electrical equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, and associated instrumentation and control mechanisms. They also design and direct electrical research projects in order to discover facts, to test or modify theoretical models, or to develop new theoretical models or new uses for current models.

Conducting tests

The electrical power engineers conduct tests of electrical fuel behaviour and cycles and performance of electrical power machinery and equipment, in order to optimize the performance of existing plants. In addition to this, they also synthesize analyses of test results and use the results to prepare technical reports of findings and recommendations.

Advisory

As an electrical power engineer, one initiates corrective actions and orders plant shutdowns in emergency situations. The engineers are also responsible to recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of electrical power technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from the evaluation of test results.

Prepare reports

They also prepare construction project proposals that include cost estimates and discuss proposals with interested parties such as vendors, contractors, and electrical facility review boards. Electrical power engineers are required to write operational instructions to be used in electrical power plant operation and electric fuel and waste handling and disposal. 

Research scientist: The research scientists are professionals who are responsible for designing, undertaking, and analyzing information from controlled laboratory-based investigations, experiments, and trials. They work for government laboratories, environmental organizations, specialist research organizations, or universities.

Electrical engineer: Electrical engineer develop methods, instruments, and systems to harness the power of electrical energy and radiation. Electrical engineers may work in any area of the electric power cycle from production and transportation of fuel to operation and monitoring of electric power stations to disposal and containment of electric waste.

Materials scientist:The materials scientists are professionals who study the structures and chemical properties of various materials, to develop new products or enhance existing ones. Materials scientists are responsible for determining ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials for use in a variety of products. 

Physicist: A physicist is a highly trained scientist who studies matter and the universe. Physicists are the professionals responsible for measuring and studying phenomena from the subatomic to the cosmic level and then apply or develop models and theories to explain their observances.

Power engineer: Power engineers belong to that specific field of electric engineering who design, develop, or supervise the installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, or utility products.

Professor: Electrical power engineering professors are responsible for developing curricula and delivering course material. They conduct research, fieldwork, and investigations, and write up reports. These types of electrical power job includes publishing research, attending conferences, delivering presentations, and network with others in the electric field.

The most exciting aspect about the electrical power energy industry is that it keeps moving forward. There are people who have a negative image about the electrical power industry, as an electrical power energy industry employee one must know how to defend or explain what one does at times. Also, the majority of organizations in the electrical power industry are very cautious about recruiting women and minorities. Since electrical power energy is a crucial part of the world’s energy system, hence one will have a good level of job security. Depending on the work culture of a particular firm, one will be required to dress appropriately, which could range from office casuals to formals to safety gear when on-site.

Does Electrical power engineer require travelling?

Not Likely

The electrical power industry is more into research and analysis rather than fieldwork. Also, whatever fieldwork is to be done is carried out near the campus itself. Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers are not required to travel much. Although, electrical engineering professionals may sometimes need to attend conferences or travel abroad to meet with partners or visit sites.  

Employment Shifts

Full Time, Part Time

Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer work on a full-time basis. Initially, in private sectors, they are hired on a provisional basis and are assigned permanent job positions after the successful completion of 6 months of training employment.

Employment Nature

Permanent

Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer are hired on a permanent basis. The roles and responsibilities assigned to electrical power engineers require them to work for a long period of time. Research topics are uncertain and the time required to assess them cannot be depicted beforehand. Hence, permanent employees are hired in the electrical power energy industry. Short-term contracts and part-time work are not typical in this sector, but large organizations are starting to realise the value of job-sharing.

Work Place

Private Offices Factory, Laboratory

Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers might be working in an office or at a power station or could be involved in overseeing and verifying work on construction sites when facilities are being built or closed.

Presence in Geographical Area

Rural, Semi-urban

The major working electrical power plants are situated in cities like Narora, Rajasthan, Kakrapar, Tarapur, Kaiga, and Kudankulam. New electrical power plants have been made in New Delhi, Bhimpur, Mahi Banswara, Chutka, Mithi Virdi, Kovvada, Jaitapur, Kalpakkam. These are the major electrical energy sites that work as a hub for electrical power engineers and scientists. Although, many private chemical industries have been set up in big cities that recruit a wide range of electrical power engineers.

Time Pressure

Not Likely

Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers are often required to work for long hours but time pressure is occasional. Electrical power engineers work on a full-time basis. Depending upon the work requirement and schedules assigned by the authorities, nuclear engineers are required to work in certain shifts. Usually, most of the time, employers work in day shifts within regular working hours. However, sometimes electrical engineering professionals are required to work overtime or at night shift depending upon the project deadlines and its importance.

Overtime Details

The working hours will depend on which part of the industry a professional works in. If a person is involved in project management or design, research, and development, they will typically work from 9 am to 5 pm. Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer might be required to work on seven days, including weekends, evenings, and nights depending on the requirements of projects.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 50 Hours

The working hours will depend on which part of the industry a professional works in. If a person is involved in project management or design, research and development, they will typically work 9 am to 5 pm.  Those working in processing or a power station will experience a different work environment since these facilities run on a 24-hour schedule. One might be required to work on a seven-day rota, including weekends, evenings, and nights depending on the requirements of projects. 

Analytical Skills: To become a good electrical engineer, it is important for a person to have good analytical skills. It is essential for them to identify design elements that help in building an efficient and safe electrical power plant. Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer should possess the ability to collect and analyze information, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. These strengths work as an asset which can help them solve particular issues and improve their overall productivity and success. Electrical engineers must have a clear understanding of what might happen during a problem-solving process because those with strong analytical skills are often capable of quickly analyzing a situation, topic, or problem, and often work well in a team setting to accomplish goals. 

Communication Skills: Irrespective of the industry one works in, the ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff is a must. Electrical engineering professionals have to work with a number of different teams, so it is important to have good communication skills. The communication should be efficient in both written as well as verbal sections. It's necessary to have a systematic approach to communication, given the wide range of mediums that are available, such as e-mails, marketing materials, presentations, and other written and spoken forms. 

Attention to Detail: Electrical power engineers administrate the operation of electrical facilities. Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers are required to pay close attention to what is happening at all times and assure that operations adhere to all regulations and laws concerning the safety of workers and the environment. Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer supervise the entire electrical facility, it is important for them to know what is happening where and confirm the safety of the plant and the people working there at all times.

Logic:  Electrical power engineers are required to design complex systems. Therefore, they must be able to analyze information logically and clearly so that others can follow their written details and instructions. With the help of concepts, judgments, reasoning, and other forms of thinking the rational cognitive process of reflecting objective reality actively is carried out. Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers are required to use reasoning consistently, in order to derive a conclusion. There are a variety of problems and situations present in electrical power engineering, that involve logical thinking, call for structure, for the relationship between facts, and for chains of reasoning that are reasonable. 

Mathematical Skills: Electrical engineering professionals are required to use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer need to make many calculations throughout their work as an electrical power engineer. Being naturally talented in advanced math like calculus will go a long way towards making their studies and career feasible.

Scientific Skills: It goes without saying that an electrical power scientist should have a keen interest in science and technology. Electrical engineering professionals should be interested in the functioning of an electrical reactor along with being inquisitive.

Attention to Safety: It is necessary for individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers to maintain high safety standards. Any damage to an electrical power plant can have disastrous effects not only on the environment but also on the living beings around it. The harmful effects can take decades to wear off, hence it is important to maintain high safety standards.

Teamwork: To be able to work with different teams, is a skill all the electrical engineers must-have. Electrical engineering professionals are required to work with different teams in order to run the electrical power plant, hence it is important for them to be team players.

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As an electric power engineer, one can choose to specialise in just one part of the engineering field. For instance, few of the reactors are cooled using water systems, so one can embark on a career as a specialist hydraulic engineer. Chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineers can all find a place in the electric power industry. Other specialties include health and safety specialist, instrumentation and control engineer, process engineer, project manager, quality engineer, reactor operator. 

Entry-level engineer: As an entry-level engineer, one is required to perform a wide range of tasks at an electric power plant. Roles and responsibilities of an electrical power engineer include helping develop the complex troubleshooting plans to support electric plant operations. They are also required to monitor, assess, improve the performance and reliability of electric plant systems and components. These types of electrical engineering professionals are required to use system indicators to monitor equipment performance or degradation and identify and pursue material condition improvements, including predictive and performance-centered maintenance optimization. An entry-level electrical power engineer needs skills like flexibility in times of change, good analytical and decision-making skills, the ability to meet deadlines consistently, and the ability to work with others. One should also possess demonstrated work ethics. The median salary of an entry-level engineer is Rs. 30,000-40,000 INR per month. The salary may be higher due to bonuses and incentive compensation. 

Technical operator:  An electrical power technical operator is responsible for operating technical controls in cooperation with the remainder of the shift team. The electrical power technical operator is one who moves control rods, starts and stops equipment, implements operation procedures, conducts surveillance tests and records data in logs. These types of electrical engineering professionals work in shifts. A technical operator is expected to have detailed knowledge and understanding of electrical power plant mechanical and electrical systems, technical specifications, government regulations and operating processes and procedures. These types of electrical engineering professionals must be able to generate creative as well as efficient solutions to work situations and maintain high personal standards of performance, responsibility, and professionalism. The median pay for a technical operator is Rs. 50,000-55,000 per month. The actual payment may be higher due to overtime, bonuses, and incentive compensations. 

Senior technical operator: As a senior technical operator, one is required to operate an electric power plant in accordance with all regulations. The roles and responsibilities of a senior technical operator includes operating the mechanical, electrical, and rector systems from the plant control room in a safe and efficient manner to ensure maximum electrical generation in compliance with regulations. These types of electrical power engineers must be knowledgeable about state and federal regulations, guidelines, controls and procedures to protect the public and plant workers. The skills required are the ability to implement and maintain effective planning and operating practices to maximum efficient operation, the ability to supervise plant operations,  and the ability to direct and implement emergency operation procedures and event reporting. The median pay for a senior technical operator is around Rs. 65,000-70,000 per month. The actual pay may be higher due to overtime, bonuses, and incentive compensations. 

Senior electrical power engineer: An experienced electrical power engineer plans and coordinates programs and large-scale engineering projects or several medium projects while acting as a technical specialist for a specific engineering field. The roles and responsibilities of a senior electrical power engineer include carrying out advanced technical and engineering tasks and performing independent research, reviews, studies, and analyses and support of technical projects. 

A senior electrical power engineer also provides in-depth technical expertise to develop, manage and implement engineering activities related to plant safety, reliability, maintainability, and availability. A senior electrical power engineer must possess superior technical expertise as either a multi-disciplined technical leader or as a specific discipline expert. A senior-level electrical power engineer performs independently in a specialty area and actively imparts knowledge to others. The median pay for an experienced-level electrical power engineer is Rs. 90,000-1,00,000 per month. The actual salary may be higher due to overtime, bonuses, and incentive compensations.

As an electrical power engineer, one can find diverse career options in several government organizations at all levels. All the companies and organizations in the electrical power sector will expect their employees to keep up with new development. This can be achieved either through formal on-the-job training, attending industry conferences, or taking courses off-site. In this field, electrical engineering professionals have a structured progression path. As an electrical power engineer, one is expected to have slow but steady electrical engineers career rather than paid development because there’s a lot to learn. One can also make a career shift to different fields in relevance to the electrical power energy industry, working with radiological medicine or manufacturing, electrical power imaging technologies, space exploration, or non-electric power engineering. National laboratories like Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Department of Atomic Energy recruits electric power engineers for a variety of roles and responsibility and different positions.

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