Electrical Engineers are experts in the practical application of electricity. They specialize in the design, creation, and servicing of electrical systems. As there are so many things that require electricity, Electrical Engineers are found in so many industries. In the Federal Government, Electrical Engineers are engaged to provide professional engineering services concerning various fields such as power generation, energy management, radar and navigation systems, communication systems, alarm systems, lighting and wiring, and electrical equipment processes. They also hold positions responsible for managing and coordinating activities in relation to operating and maintaining electrical systems. They serve in varied agencies in the government such as the Department of Energy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, the US Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Department of the Air Force among others.

Electrical Engineers working in the Department of Energy provide overall authoritative leadership and direction to innovative engineering efforts geared towards developing new or expanded use of energy resources and conserving the environment. They also provide guidance on the effects of energy production and usage on the economy. They also serve as specialists in the design, testing, operation and management of transmission equipment and bulk power systems. They assess and provide expert advice on transmission system performance based on established standards of reliability. They develop both short-term and long-term plans for the government indicating resource requirements, technical considerations, and engineering costs. They coordinate and collaborate with other engineers and scientists in the Department to ensure an appropriate balance between cost and performance as well as ensure the safety of workers, the environment and the public.

Electrical Engineers in the government who work with construction projects are responsible for drafting designs and specifications of needed electrical systems and equipment. They are engaged in works involving interior lighting and power as in buildings and structures, as well as exterior lighting as in streets, floodlights, airfield navigational lighting. They also design and install both overhead and underground electrical distribution systems. They work with other engineers in the electrical installation of dams, bridges, tunnels, railways, and other civil works. Electrical Engineers also work in projects involving cathodic protection systems. They oversee and perform installations of anodes, rectifiers and wiring systems to ensure against pipeline corrosions. Other government projects that Electrical Engineers work on involve wireless communications and signal processing circuits, and intrusion prevention and detection systems.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an overall growth of 7% in the employment rate of this occupation from 2020 - 2030. The demand for Electrical Engineers stems from continuous innovations in technology, as well as the need to replace workers leaving the workforce, as in the case of retirees. Those in the Federal Government earned an annual average salary of $120,716.63 in 2020. They typically receive promotions in 2 grade increases at a time until they reach GS-12. Entry-level positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering field. A Professional Engineer (PE) license can be acquired for career advancement, such as to hold higher level positions.