Why U.S. OEMs Should Turn to Canada for Engineering Expertise
Though Canada is one-tenth the size of the U.S., it remains a hub of innovation in electronics engineering, with significant contributions made to the field by Canadian engineers. Canada’s strong education system boasts several universities ranked among the world’s top 100 engineering institutions and the country has a solid track record of producing and retaining top engineering talent.
With immigration tightening in the US, growing demand for advanced engineering expertise and an increasingly price-sensitive market, Canada offers a viable option for American OEMs seeking a cost-effective solution to bridge a skills and knowledge gap in engineering. From academic training, to professional licensing and industry standards, both countries share similarities that make cross-border collaboration fluid and result in high-quality products through consistent standards and comparable rigorous professional training requirements.
Similar Training Requirements Across Borders: Canada vs. the United States
Canada and the U.S. share similar academic training for engineers, with both countries offering theory-intensive programs that include practical lab experiences. At minimum, engineers are required to complete a four-year undergraduate degree program..
In Canada, engineering programs are accredited by Engineers Canada through regional organizations like Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) ensuring consistent quality across all universities. These programs emphasize core areas like electronics, circuits, control systems, signal processing, and embedded systems, often including a co-op or internship component providing students with early practical experience and immersion into a real-life work environment.
In the U.S., programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), ensuring a standardized curriculum nationwide. Their institutions offer a wider range of electives, that allow students to specialize in areas such as robotics, telecommunications, or power systems. While co-op programs are gaining popularity, they are not yet widely implemented at post secondary institutions.
Licensing Requirements for Engineers: Canada vs. the United States
The U.S. and Canada have similar professional licensing requirements though there are some notable differences. Canada requires licensing for nearly all engineering roles involving public safety and design accountability, while the U.S. only mandates licensing in certain regulated fields. Many engineering positions in the U.S. (ie. electronics and software) do not require a professional engineering license.
To qualify for the provincially regulated Professional Engineer (P.Eng) certification in Canada, candidates must complete a degree from an accredited university program, complete four years of work experience under a qualified supervisor and pass the Professional Practice Examination focused on ethics and law. The P.Eng. certification is mandatory for roles that carry accountability for design or involve infrastructure-related projects.
In the U.S., holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license is not commonly required for engineering positions in many industry settings compared to Canada. To obtain PE certification, candidates must have a degree from an ABET-accredited program, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, complete four years of work experience, and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Many electronic engineers in the U.S. work in industry roles that do not require licensure unless their work involves public safety or regulatory approvals.
Harmonized Engineering Standards: Canada vs. the United States
Engineering standards and codes in both countries are internationally aligned making qualifications and skills transferable. This alignment streamlines cross-border collaboration enhancing efficiencies in product development and manufacturing. Canadian standards are guided by organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), while U.S. standards are primarily governed by IEEE and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
Product Certification and Testing: Both countries leverage the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) between testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), CSA and Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL). This agreement creates efficiency and alignment in product certification and testing ensuring that a product certified by UL in the U.S. is likely to be accepted in Canada and vice versa.
Electrical Safety: Although the U.S and Canada have their own governing bodies for electrical safety standards, UL in the U.S and CSA in Canada, they have harmonized testing protocols ensuring consistent safety measures for electronic products.
Energy Efficiency and Environment: Both the US and Canada share energy efficiency standards for electronic devices, such as those set by Energy Star – a joint initiative adopted in both countries for eco-friendly electronics and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), which aims to reduce the use of hazardous materials in electronic products.
Advanced Manufacturing: The US and Canada have shared standards for PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design, semiconductor manufacturing, and IoT (Internet of Things) systems. Both countries leverage standards like IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) for PCB design and assembly.
International Accreditation: Both countries have similar quality management standards, adhering to guidelines set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and other international organizations like ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Both the U.S. and Canada operate and adhere to standards set by ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management ensuring compatibility across industries.
Leveraging Canadian Engineering: Cost Efficiency Meets Quality
Although the U.S. and Canada share many similarities in academic training, licensing requirements, and industry practices, many American OEMs have yet to fully capitalize on this strategic opportunity. As competition intensifies for integrating advanced technologies into new products within a price-sensitive market, cost control in product development doesn’t have compromise quality. With aligned industry standards and codes, products and systems developed by Canadian engineers will meet the high safety and performance standards suitable for the North American markets.
Partnering with a Canadian engineering firm for design and manufacturing of your electronic controls is a smart, strategic decision. Additionally, with no tariffs on Canadian services and a favorable exchange rate, American OEMs can gain a cost competitive advantage by partnering with a Canadian engineering firm. Selecting the right partner – one with deep technical expertise, the same high caliber of standards, decades of experience and access to global markets for manufacturing and sourcing – you secure a competitive edge. Contact us to discuss your next project.
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