Railway electronic technician
Also known as: locomotive electrician, railway electronic inspector, electrical rail electrician, telecommunication electronic technician, rail electrician, railway overhead power engineer
About this occupation
Railway electronic technicians are responsible for installing, inspecting, testing, and maintaining train control systems, radio, radar, electronic and electromagnetic components.
Essential skills and knowledge
- operate railway warning systems
- test electronic units
- enforce railway safety regulations
- electronics principles
- circuit diagrams
- install electronic communication devices on trains
- operate railway communication systems
- operate railway control panels
- detect malfunctions in train control systems
- operate radio equipment
- electronics
- comply with legal regulations
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (O*NET 49-2094.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Test faulty equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test equipment or software, and applying knowledge of the functional operation of electronic units and systems.
- Maintain equipment logs that record performance problems, repairs, calibrations, or tests.
- Set up and test industrial equipment to ensure that it functions properly.
- Inspect components of industrial equipment for accurate assembly and installation or for defects, such as loose connections or frayed wires.
- Install repaired equipment in various settings, such as industrial or military establishments.
- Operate equipment to demonstrate proper use or to analyze malfunctions.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operations Monitoring, Repairing, Critical Thinking, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Quality Control Analysis
US median pay: US$74,090 a year (2025), 65,010 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.2)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
- Robotics Technicians
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Avionics Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.