From Classroom to Career: The Expanding World of Electrical Automation and Engineering

Last Updated: 2026-05-28T13:04:21.783-04:00

Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class visited ProSystems Integration, an automation company in Westerly, to learn about career opportunities in industrial automation. The students, led by instructor Ryan Northup, were given a tour of the facility by owner John Brunelle and his son Jesse, an engineer at the company and a Chariho alumnus. They observed various machines, including one for making medical tubing, and learned how the company develops control systems for a range of clients, from Hershey Chocolate to the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. Jesse Brunelle, who organized the visit, emphasized the importance of exposing students to the industrial side of the electrical field, which he felt was underrepresented in their curriculum. He aims to show that the field is more varied than students might think and that there are many career opportunities in automation. Northup added that such real-world experiences are invaluable for students, providing them with a practical application of what they learn in class and inspiring them to pursue careers in the industry.

Level Automation, a Swedish company that specializes in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully migrated from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system. The company's owner, Martin Ozols, was initially hesitant due to a previous time-consuming upgrade, but the new migration tool in the TIA Portal made the process surprisingly simple, taking only two minutes. The new system is certified according to the cybersecurity standard IEC 62443, which is important for meeting the requirements of the NIS2 Directive. Level Automation primarily serves the water and wastewater industry, machine builders, and various industrial processes. The company has a long-standing relationship with Siemens, and Ozols appreciates the integration and support provided by the TIA Portal. The new generation of control systems is more compact, powerful, and in some cases, more cost-effective. Level Automation is now planning to migrate its HMI panels to Simatic WinCC Unified.

Post Electric, an electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, is expanding its services to include home automation and smart technology integration. The company has seen a rise in demand for these services and has invested in new equipment and training to meet the needs of homeowners, particularly those with older homes that require electrical system upgrades. The new services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, and the installation of smart devices such as lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems. The company's Master Electrician, Ryan, noted that the expansion is a response to the evolving residential electrical landscape, where homeowners are increasingly interested in smart home technologies and energy-efficient solutions. Post Electric serves several communities in the region, including Pierce City, Springfield, and Monett, and continues to offer 24/7 emergency services.

Manfred Lehmann, Strategic Product Manager at WAGO, a German electrical engineering manufacturer, discussed the company's new line of Matter-enabled products, WAGO Home Automation. He explained that the Matter standard is key to providing electricians with access to automation in residential construction. The company is focusing on Thread as the primary communication standard for its products, but also offers Wi-Fi versions for households with older Matter controllers. Lehmann highlighted the quality of WAGO's products, which are VDE certified, and their simple installation with lever terminals. The modules also function as generic switches, allowing the input to be used independently of the output. WAGO is offering training and support to help electricians adapt to the new requirements of working with IP and home networks. The company plans to continue developing its Matter-enabled products, with the electrical cabinet being a logical next step.

As the demand for AI, electrification, and automation grows, so does the need for electrical engineers to design and manage the power systems behind these technologies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that electrical engineers earn a median annual salary of about $118,000. Several major companies are actively hiring in this field, including:

Nvidia: A key player in the AI infrastructure market, Nvidia hires electrical engineers to work on power delivery, high-speed connections, and systems for unifying GPUs.
Apple: With over 2.5 billion active devices, Apple employs electrical engineers to work on chip-level performance, power management, and sensor systems for its products, including the iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro.
Tesla: This company needs electrical engineers to work on battery-management systems, motor controls, and power electronics for its electric vehicles, Supercharger network, and Optimus humanoid robots.
Intel: As a major chip designer and manufacturer, Intel has opportunities for electrical engineers in both chip development and production, from validating silicon to supporting the equipment and processes in its fabs.
Siemens: A leader in industrial automation and electrification, Siemens hires electrical engineers to work on power systems for factories and rail networks, including drives, controls, and switchgear.
ABB: This company specializes in robotics and electrification systems, and its electrical engineers work on motor-control systems, switchgear, and high-voltage equipment for factories, utilities, and transportation networks.
RTX: The parent company of Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, and Collins Aerospace, RTX employs electrical engineers to work on embedded hardware, circuit design, and testing equipment for flight systems, radar, and satellite communications.
Lockheed Martin: The top U.S. defense contractor, Lockheed Martin needs electrical engineers to build radar and communications hardware for military aircraft, spacecraft, and missile defense systems.
Schneider Electric: This global energy company hires electrical engineers to build power-management and automation systems for data centers, factories, and utility networks, which is especially important as AI puts new strain on the grid.
TSMC: The world's largest independent chip foundry, TSMC's electrical engineers work in its highly automated fabs to ensure the precise equipment and stable processes needed for next-generation chip hardware.

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