What Do Electronic Drafters Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Electronic Drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic equipment. They also generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.

Other tasks include:

• Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
• Key and program specified commands and engineering specifications into computer system to change functions and test final layout.
• Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop, compute, and verify specifications for drafting data, such as configuration of parts, dimensions, or tolerances.
• Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
• Supervise and coordinate work activities of workers engaged in drafting, designing layouts, assembling, or testing printed circuit boards.
• Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.

We asked Electronic Drafters how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Electronic Drafters select drill size to drill test head, according to test design and specifications, and submit guide layout to designated department. They supervise and coordinate work activities of workers engaged in drafting, designing layouts, assembling, or testing printed circuit boards.

A typical day for an Electronic Drafter will also include:

• Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
• Key and program specified commands and engineering specifications into computer system to change functions and test final layout.
• Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
• Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.
• Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, or modify element.

We asked some Electronic Drafters a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	65% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	77% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	82% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	33% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	46% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Electronic Drafters also generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film. They may also plot electrical test points on layout sheets and draw schematics for wiring test fixture heads to frames.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Electronic Drafters Copy drawings of printed circuit board fabrication using print machine or blueprinting procedure. They might also Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.

In addition, they Review work orders or procedural manuals and confer with vendors or design staff to resolve problems or modify design.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Review blueprints to determine customer requirements and consult with assembler regarding schematics, wiring procedures, or conductor paths.

To some Electronic Drafters, it is also their responsibility to Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, or modify element.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Electronic Drafter, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/drafters.htm

http://www.adda.org/