Electrical Engineering Careers That Go Beyond Power Systems

Electrical engineering spans far more than power systems. Explore the diverse career paths available and how an MEEE degree can help you move into specialized, future-focused roles.

If you’re exploring electrical engineering at an advanced level, you’re likely thinking beyond entry-level roles and narrow job definitions. Electrical engineering today includes multiple specializations, from automation and embedded systems to communications, electronics, and semiconductor technologies. Each path applies the same core principles in different ways, leading to distinct work environments and long-term opportunities.

See How an MEEE Can Support Your Engineering Career

For many professionals, that range is exactly why a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEEE) comes into the conversation. Graduate study allows engineers to deepen their technical expertise, shift into more specialized roles, or move closer to system design and leadership without leaving the field altogether. This guide examines electrical engineering careers beyond power systems and how advanced training supports them.

Ready to get started on your master’s degree? Explore the fully online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEEE) at NMSU Global Campus.

Expand Your Core Skills for Greater Career Flexibility

Electrical engineering is built on a core set of principles used to design, analyze, and improve systems that move energy or information. Those principles apply across industries where hardware, software, and physical systems intersect, including automation, communications, embedded systems, and intelligent technologies.

Because that foundation spans sectors, electrical engineers often have the flexibility to shift industries or specializations over time. What changes is not the core skill set, but how it is applied and how deeply it is developed.

That’s where advanced training becomes valuable. A Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEEE) helps you strengthen the technical and analytical skills that support specialization, whether you’re designing circuits for medical devices, improving control systems in automation, or optimizing signal performance in communications.

Instead of learning entirely new disciplines, you’ll build depth in the skills that allow you to adapt, specialize, and take on more complex engineering challenges across a range of industries.

Explore Electrical Engineering Career Paths Beyond Power Systems

Many electrical engineers build and improve the technologies people interact with every day, often far from the utility and grid space. The career paths below highlight how electrical engineering skills translate into specialized work across fast-evolving industries.

Automation and Controls Engineer

Automation and controls engineers design systems that allow machines and processes to operate efficiently with minimal human intervention. They work heavily in manufacturing, robotics, logistics, and industrial environments.

Responsibilities often include programming controllers, designing control panels, integrating sensors, and improving system reliability. These engineers play a key role in modernizing production environments and increasing efficiency.

The national average salary for this engineering career path is about $98,000. ¹

Electronics and Hardware Engineer

Electronics and hardware engineers focus on designing and testing physical components used in products ranging from consumer electronics to medical devices and defense systems. Their work may involve circuit boards, prototypes, testing procedures, and product validation.

These roles are common in technology companies, healthcare organizations, and research and development teams where innovation and precision matter. For these engineers, the average yearly salary is $126,844 in the U.S. ²

Communications and Signal Engineer

Communications engineers work on systems that transmit information reliably. This includes wireless networks, telecommunications infrastructure, satellite systems, and data communication technologies.

Their work supports industries such as telecommunications, networking, aerospace, and defense. As demand for faster and more reliable data transmission grows, this specialization continues to expand.

In the U.S., communications engineers earn an average of $87K–$143K per year. ³

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded systems engineers design the hardware and software that allow devices to function intelligently. These engineers work at the intersection of electrical engineering and software development.

Embedded systems roles are common in automotive systems, medical devices, consumer electronics, and Internet of Things applications. The work often involves microcontrollers, sensors, and real-time operating systems.

The average yearly salary for embedded systems engineers ranges from $128K-199K per year in the U.S. ⁴

Semiconductor and Microelectronics Engineer

Semiconductor and microelectronics engineers work on the design, fabrication, and testing of integrated circuits and chips. Their work supports nearly every modern technology, from smartphones and computers to industrial equipment.

These roles are critical in technology manufacturing, chip design firms, and advanced research environments. In the U.S., the average salary for semiconductor engineers is $118K per year, while microelectronics engineers make an average of $137K. ^{5, 6}

Consider a Focused Credential in Electric Energy Systems

For engineers who want to deepen their expertise in energy infrastructure, the online Graduate Certificate in Electric Energy Systems at NMSU Global Campus offers a focused option that does not require completing a full degree program. This four-course certificate covers smart grid technology, power systems, and renewable energy, helping students build specialized knowledge for engineering roles in the evolving energy and utility sectors.

Find Industries Hiring Electrical Engineers Outside Power Systems

Electrical engineering is used wherever systems depend on electronics, control, sensing, or reliable communication. That means opportunities are not limited to a single sector or type of employer. Many electrical engineers build careers in industries such as:

• Technology and electronics manufacturing, including consumer products, hardware development, and device testing
• Healthcare and medical device development, where reliability, safety, and precision are essential
• Aerospace and defense, supporting avionics, radar, sensing, and mission-critical systems
• Telecommunications and networking, including wireless systems, fiber infrastructure, and signal performance
• Manufacturing and automation, focused on robotics, industrial controls, and process optimization
• Automotive and transportation systems, including embedded controls, sensors, and electrified vehicle technologies

This cross-industry demand is one of the biggest advantages of an electrical engineering background. It gives you room to specialize, shift sectors over time, and pursue roles that align with both your technical interests and your long-term career goals.

To learn more about how graduate engineering study can support career growth, read our guide on how online engineering degrees can help you meet the needs of prospective employers. ⁷

Advance Your Electrical Engineering Career at NMSU Global Campus

Finding the right career path often comes down to your interests and exposure to different types of electrical engineering. Some engineers enjoy hands-on hardware work. Others prefer system design, programming, or analysis. Internships, projects, and early career roles can play a major role in helping you refine your direction.

A Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEEE) from NMSU Global Campus gives you the opportunity to build on your existing foundation with advanced, applied training. Through a flexible, 100% online format, you can deepen your expertise while remaining a working professional. You’ll gain practical skills you can apply immediately in areas such as communications, microelectronics, signal processing, and computer engineering.

The MEEE program emphasizes real-world problem-solving and technical specialization, helping you prepare for more advanced roles in industries such as aerospace, telecommunications, manufacturing, and defense. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your ability to lead projects, contribute to innovation, and take on greater responsibility within your organization.

If you’re ready to expand your technical depth and explore electrical engineering careers beyond traditional paths, explore the online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEEE) at NMSU Global Campus.

Are you ready to take the next step in your engineering career?

As a graduate student at NMSU Global Campus, you’ll study with New Mexico State University’s expert engineering faculty, network with peers and alumni working in your field, and enjoy the support of your own personal Graduation Team.

Start your application today. It takes only about 10 to 15 minutes to apply, and your first application is free. ⁸

References

1. “Automation Controls Engineer Salary.” ZipRecruiter, accessed 27 May 2026.

2. “Electronic Hardware Engineer Salary.” ZipRecruiter, accessed 27 May 2026.

3. “Communications Engineer: Average Salary & Pay Trends 2026.” Glassdoor, accessed 27 May 2026.

4. “Embedded Systems Engineer: Average Salary & Pay Trends 2026.” Glassdoor, accessed 27 May 2026.

5. “Semiconductor engineer salary in United States.” Indeed, last updated 10 May 2026.

6. “Microelectronics engineer salary in United States.” Indeed, last updated 8 May 2026.

7. “Online Engineering Degrees: How They Work and What Employers Want.” NMSU Global Campus Blog, 12 February 2026.

8. “3 Easy Tips to Help You Complete Your Application to NMSU Global Campus.” NMSU Global Campus Blog, 9 June 2025.