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Electronics Technician

Skilled Trades

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Electrical Engineering

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  2. 2Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
  3. 3Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
  4. 4Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.
  5. 5Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
  6. 6Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
  7. 7Design or modify engineering schematics for electrical transmission and distribution systems or for electrical installation in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  8. 8Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
  9. 9Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
  10. 10Interpret test information to resolve design-related problems.
  11. 11Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
  12. 12Review existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions, deletions, or amendments to outdated material.
  13. 13Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
  14. 14Select electronics equipment, components, or systems to meet functional specifications.
  15. 15Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets.
  16. 16Educate equipment operators on the proper use of equipment.
  17. 17Supervise the installation or operation of electronic equipment or systems.
  18. 18Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
  19. 19Modify electrical prototypes, parts, assemblies, or systems to correct functional deviations.
  20. 20Integrate software or hardware components, using computer, microprocessor, or control architecture.
  21. 21Procure parts and maintain inventory and related documentation.
  22. 22Participate in training or continuing education activities to stay abreast of engineering or industry advances.
  23. 23Research equipment or component needs, sources, competitive prices, delivery times, or ongoing operational costs.
  24. 24Provide user applications or engineering support or recommendations for new or existing equipment with regard to installation, upgrades, or enhancements.
  25. 25Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality control or quality assurance programs or procedures.
  26. 26Produce electronics drawings or other graphics representing industrial control, instrumentation, sensors, or analog or digital telecommunications networks, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • EST
  • LEOT
  • Prototyper
  • Technician
  • IT Lab Tech
  • Refurb Tech
  • Digital Tech
  • Relay Tester
  • Technologist
  • FA Technician

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Design & Technology (RBT)Draws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Computers and Electronics88%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Engineering and Technology87%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • English Language75%

    English

  • Design72%

    Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing

  • Mathematics70%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Customer and Personal Service66%

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsAlmost never
  • Contact with other peopleNo contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicNot at all
  • Leading or coordinating othersNot at all
  • Handling conflict situationsAlmost never
  • Indoors, air-conditionedAlmost never
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentAlmost never

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

9%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

On Malaysia's official shortage list

TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List — evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.

Electronics Engineering Technicians · Shortage indicators met: 7/12

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue