Summary
Electronics Engineers (KeSCO 2162) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Electronics Engineers (KeSCO 2162) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
- Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
- Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
- Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
- Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
- Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
- Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
- Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
- Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
- Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
- Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
- Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
- Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Civil/Construction Technology
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Automotive Mechanics
- Plant/Machine Operation
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
- CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2162-14 — Computer Systems Engineer (Hardware Engineer)
Computer Systems Engineer (Hardware Engineer) is responsible for designs and modifies the operating hardware systems; develops and implements new computer hardware technologies that improve performance and reliability troubleshooting and repairing hardware problems within their professional field.
2162-13 — Computer Systems Engineer (Software Engineer)
Computer Systems Engineer (Software Engineer) is responsible for designs and modifies operating software systems identifies software requirements and designs software solutions provide technical support to users and troubleshooting software issues within their professional field.
2162-16 — Designer, computer systems/hardware
Designer, computer systems/hardware is responsible for analyzes and designs information systems for an organization; design the environment, design application architecture and software, design user interfaces, design system interfaces, design the database, and design system controls and security within their professional field.
2162-18 — Electro-Optical Engineer
Electro-Optical Engineer is responsible for assist with the manufacturing, developing, assembling, and fabricating process; conduct application analysis to determine medical, scientific, military, industrial, and commercial use of electro optical devices; completing engineering tasks related to electronic and optical devices creating optical designs and facilitating the user of laser optics within their professional field.
2162-17 — Electronic Hardware Design Engineer
Electronic Hardware Design Engineer is responsible for design and develop components such as circuit boards and processors for computers and other devices; create new components, conduct tests on prototypes, and oversee the manufacturing process of a variety of hardware components within their professional field.
2162-11 — Engineer Electronics
Engineer Electronics is responsible for carries out research and design advises on electronics engineering problems designs and advises on electronic devices and equipment plans and supervises their production, development and repairs troubleshooting and repairing electronic equipment and systems within their professional field.
2162-15 — Engineer, computer systems
Engineer, computer systems is responsible for design, develop, test, and refine computer systems, software, and equipment; monitoring systems in the existing network to ensure there are no productivity setback within their professional field.
2162-12 — Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation Engineer is responsible for analyzes current equipment, identifies areas of inefficiency and needs for improvement designs and tests prototypes of equipment creates schematics and simulate the model to test designs within their professional field.
2162-21 — Quality Engineer
Quality Engineer is responsible for designs quality standards, inspecting materials, equipment, processes, and products, develops quality control systems, and determining corrective actions; tests systems and procedures to ensure they meet technical standards create quality and safety documentation identify technical issues and getting to the root of the problem; recommend solutions that’ll improve product durability and overall performance within their professional field.