💡 Why it matters: Smart meters, medical devices, solar inverters and drones all contain small computers. Engineers who programme them are needed as more of the world becomes connected.
🌍 Around the world
- Nigeria: Engineers who programme small devices are needed as Africa builds more connected devices.
- United States: Jobs are projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦1.5M – ₦3.8M
- Mid-career
- ₦4.2M – ₦10M
- Senior
- ₦10M – ₦22M
≈ ₦350k – ₦833k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇺🇸 United States
Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Hourly wage low and high x 2,080 hours (no national median shown). Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Write code for small chips and boards like Arduino
- Connect sensors, motors and screens
- Test devices in real conditions
- Make devices use very little power
- Work with electronics and mechanical engineers
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Electronics knowledge
- Coding
- Problem solving
- Hands-on skills
- Patience
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Polytechnic HND in Electrical or Computer Engineering
- Self-study with Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits and maker clubs
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Engineering technician or degree apprenticeships (study while you work)
- Self-study with Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits and maker clubs
🇺🇸 United States
- Associate degree in electronics, then work and keep studying
- Self-study with Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits and maker clubs
🇨🇦 Canada
- University co-op programs with paid placements
- Self-study with Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits and maker clubs
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Play with an Arduino or similar starter kit
- 2Learn C or Python basics
- 3Study engineering or complete a technical diploma (such as a college or polytechnic course)
- 4Build and show projects like a smart alarm
- 5Join a hardware, solar or telecom company
⏰ A day in the life
You are building a small water-level sensor for a farm. You write code so it sends a text when the tank is low, test it in the heat and fix a wiring fault that made the readings jump.