Electrical Technology and Automation: Industry Insights, Career Paths, and AI-Proof Jobs
Last Updated: 2026-05-29T05:06:19.641-04:00
Field Trip: Chariho Electrical Technology students explore careers in industrial automation
WESTERLY, RI – Students from the Chariho Career and Technical Center’s Electrical Technology program recently visited ProSystems Integration, a Westerly-based automation company, to gain firsthand knowledge of career paths in industrial automation. The tour, led by ProSystems' owner John Brunelle and his son Jesse, an engineer at the company and a Chariho alumnus, aimed to expose students to a side of the electrical industry they might not otherwise see.
Jesse Brunelle noted that his own experience in the program was heavily focused on residential and commercial electrical work. He organized the field trip to showcase the opportunities available in the industrial automation sector, a field that is constantly evolving with technology. Students were able to see various machines and control systems, including equipment used for manufacturing medical tubing and systems developed for major brands like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme.
The visit also provided an opportunity for students to interact with engineers on the production floor, who explained their design process and daily responsibilities. Ryan Northup, the Electrical Technology instructor at Chariho, emphasized the importance of such real-world experiences in inspiring students and providing practical context for their classroom learning, particularly in the area of industrial motor controls.
AUTOMATIONSNYTT: Easy migration – ready for NIS2
Level Automation has successfully transitioned from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system, a move that proved to be surprisingly simple and has made the company NIS2 ready. Martin Ozols, the owner of Level Automation, reported that the migration was completed in just two minutes, a significant improvement over previous system upgrades.
The new Simatic S7-1200 G2 family is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, aligning with the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive. This is particularly important for Level Automation's work in the water and wastewater industry. The new generation system is not only more powerful and compact but also offers more memory and features. The migration process was streamlined through a new tool in the TIA Portal, which automates much of the hardware and program analysis that was previously done manually.
10 Companies Hiring Electrical Engineers
The demand for electrical engineers is on the rise, driven by advancements in AI, electrification, and automation. With a median annual salary of approximately $118,000, electrical engineers are sought after by top companies in various sectors.
Nvidia, a key player in the AI infrastructure space, is hiring electrical engineers to work on their GPU-based systems. Apple is seeking engineers for in-house hardware design for their vast ecosystem of devices. Tesla needs electrical engineers for their electric vehicles, Supercharger network, and robotics projects. Intel offers opportunities in both chip development and manufacturing, while Siemens, a leader in industrial automation, is looking for engineers to work on power systems for factories and infrastructure. Other major companies hiring include ABB, RTX, Lockheed Martin, Schneider Electric, and TSMC.
Post Electric Expands Home Automation and Smart Technology Integration Services
MONETT, MO – Post Electric, an electrical contractor serving Southwest Missouri, has expanded its residential services to include home automation and smart technology integration. This move comes in response to growing demand from homeowners looking to modernize their electrical systems. The company has invested in advanced diagnostic equipment and training to handle the increased requests for smart home installations, particularly in homes with older electrical infrastructures.
The expanded services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, and the installation of smart devices such as lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems. Ryan, a Master Electrician at Post Electric, stated that the company is now equipped to manage everything from basic electrical repairs to complex home automation projects, ensuring that they can meet the evolving needs of modern households.
Jobs AI can’t replace yet: What a new report finds
A recent report from Planera has identified jobs that are least likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence, offering a counter-narrative to the common fears of job loss due to automation. The study, which focused on physical and manual professions, found that emergency services, social services, and healthcare have the lowest risk of automation, at 11%, 12%, and 16% respectively.
Among the most secure jobs are emergency medical technicians (7% risk), firefighters (9%), and police officers (13%). These roles require a high degree of human judgment, empathy, and adaptability, making them difficult to automate. Electricians also stand out with a low automation risk of 14% and a high demand for their skills, particularly with the growth of AI data centers and the transition to renewable energy. The report highlights that the very technology driving automation fears is also creating a demand for skilled trades like electricians to build and maintain the necessary infrastructure. In contrast, roles in agriculture, production, and retail face a much higher risk of automation, with some jobs having a risk factor of over 90%.
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