From soldering iron to laptop

For a long time, the focus of the electronics technician profession was primarily on manual skills. The most important activities included installing and wiring systems, repairing defective devices or replacing components. Fault diagnosis was also simple compared to today's technology: a circuit could usually be checked quickly with a continuity tester or a simple multimeter.

The tools required for this were manageable: screwdriver, pliers, soldering iron - that was all that was usually needed in everyday life. The components themselves were also larger, easier to grasp and less complex. Electronics engineers worked on straightforward circuits, which they quickly mastered with a little experience. Precision was of course important even back then: clean solder joints, neatly laid cables and manual work that was as error-free as possible were and still are the hallmarks of a good specialist. After all, the job required above all craftsmanship and practical skills.

Today, things are very different. The miniaturization of components is forcing electronics engineers to use much finer tools. Anyone who has ever tried to pick up a tiny SMD component with their bare hands knows that this is impossible without tweezers, a microscope or even a special rework station. Workshop equipment is now highly specialized: Soldering stations with precise temperature control prevent damage to sensitive components. Digital multimeters and modern oscilloscopes enable not only measurements but also detailed analyses. X-ray or CT systems are used in quality control to make hard-to-see defects visible. Even 3D printing is finding its way into working practice - for housings, prototypes or special brackets, for example. The traditional craft has become a high-tech profession that is more reminiscent of working in a modern laboratory.

Digitalization is changing work

Added to this is digitalization, which has significantly changed the content of the profession. Electronics engineers no longer just work on individual devices, but on networked systems. Whether smart home, KNX or industrial IoT solutions - the boundaries between traditional electrical engineering and IT are becoming increasingly blurred. Electronics engineers are increasingly becoming system integrators who ensure that hardware and software work together smoothly.

This requires not only technical intuition, but also new skills: programming, parameterization of control systems and the use of digital tools are now part of everyday life. Tablets are replacing paper-based documentation, cloud-based systems are enabling team collaboration and CAD programs are supporting planning and development. Actual manual work is fading into the background, as correct configuration and precise evaluation of measurement data are becoming increasingly important. The new tools and working methods also increase the requirements. A modern electronics technician today needs a much broader technical knowledge, ranging from classic hardware to complex software. At the same time, they must be able to operate modern diagnostic systems and interpret data correctly.

Increasing networking also brings with it new issues: data security and network protection are no longer side issues in the age of the smart home and Industry 4.0. Soft skills are also becoming increasingly important: electronics technicians have always had to bring more to the table than technical expertise - such as communication skills and problem-solving skills in a team, during commissioning or when advising customers. Today, however, these skills have become even more crucial.

A look into the future

A look ahead shows: The transformation is far from complete. Tools and working methods will become even more digital, networked and automated in the coming years. Artificial intelligence could help with fault diagnosis by recognizing patterns that escape the human eye. Largely automated production lines are already in use in manufacturing today - electronics engineers could increasingly take on the role of monitors and troubleshooters in the future. Augmented reality glasses could also become a standard tool when it comes to carrying out complex repairs step by step. This means that electronics technicians will become bridge builders between traditional technology and future-oriented progress. Their task will remain to understand systems, find faults and develop solutions - but with completely different tools than just a few decades ago. So the screwdriver will not disappear, but it will be joined by a microscope, tablet and perhaps soon an AI.

Holger Engelbrecht, Product Manager at Reichelt Elektronik