In the world of engineering, traditional roles are expanding to encompass a broader spectrum of diverse skills and expertise. As the demand for engineers spans various disciplines, engineering is changing, and trends and capabilities are transcending typical traditional engineering protocols.
Many believe that the conventional ways of doing engineering work need to change. Traditionally, engineers were valued primarily for their technical proficiency. But now, they are expected to possess a diverse skill set, such as data analysis, project management, and sustainability, skills that have become indispensable in navigating complex engineering projects.
Engineering Hiring Trends
Some of the demands in skills are also focused on softer skills such as leadership traits and effectively interacting with others. Being a technology master isn’t the sole requirement for engineering skills anymore. According to recruiting experts and echoed by Harvard Business School, the top engineering skills to succeed include:
Universal Communication:
- Although an engineer’s work is technical, it’s vital to be team-oriented in how they speak, especially when working with non-technical stakeholders. AS HBR noted, effective engineers must focus on the impact of projects and be able to convey challenges, solutions, and recommendations in easily digested language so that all involved can make better-informed business decisions.
Management 101:
- According to HBR, this can range from planning projects to motivating team members. Knowing how to effectively manage the allocation of resources, minimizing waste, and maximizing productivity are all part of the job. too. It doesn’t hurt to have formal training or certification in project management as well, as learning different programs and procedures also sharpens problem-solving and time management skills which are non-negotiable in the engineering world.
Adaptability:
- The daily job of an engineer revolves around problem-solving but isn’t limited to just addressing technical challenges. Technology advancement is in constant acceleration. While there is merit in having skills rooted in sound engineering practices, having the ability to blend the old with the new is an advantage. Especially as sustainability and environmental factors grow in importance, modern engineers will produce outcomes that align positively with business and government mandates to maintain a cleaner environment. New discoveries are emerging each day that can affect engineering methods, and top engineers will know how to pivot.
Budgetary knowledge and business acumen:
- While financial accounting and business finance weren’t on the roster of engineering skills before, it is now. HBR shares that Kyle Rosenmeyer, an engineer who worked for the City of Boise says he completed a three-course online program that helps professionals learn business language and it has been able to help him understand problem-solving with other team members. Knowing where an engineering project sits in terms of budgets, allocations, etc., is important for appropriate planning and keeping the scope of a project on target; engineering projects can often be costly, so understanding financing is important to see it through to completion and avoid surprises.
Job Growth in the Engineering Industry
These new requirements are due to the growth seen in engineering jobs year after year. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, STEM jobs will grow by eight percent between now and 2029. Engineering occupations, specifically, are projected to grow around three percent in the next ten years.
Some of the fastest-growing engineering fields include biomedical (5%), industrial(10%), and chemical engineering (4%).
According to the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers, solar energy use will be increasing dramatically requiring the need for “Solar photovoltaic installers.” It’s something for future engineers to plan for to expand into environmental engineering.
The growth doesn’t stop from within the engineering industry directly; as Deloitte notes, engineers are in high demand within tech companies as well. Due to digital transformations taking over, engineering organizations have been adding software to the core of their operations. Software engineers, as extensions in the engineering world, offer this expertise and should be seeking to cross over to bring capabilities that are crucial for engineering companies to capitalize on.
Engineering is changing where and when we work
With the flexibility of engineering skills and the growth the industry is facing, a day in the life of an engineer can vary depending on the type of career path chosen. For instance, environmental engineering is a relatively new track that can include on-site work such as collecting samples to bring back to the lab.
And while the American Society of Mechanical Engineers states that engineering companies have been reluctant to allow engineers to work remotely, we are seeing a crop of hybrid roles appear that offer more “remote-like” opportunities for engineers. Work schedules can be crafted to include time on-site for the hands-on portion of the job, blended with off-site time for analyzing collected data, building reports, holding virtual meetings, and more. Like every other field, engineering work environments will continue to evolve, especially when considering the advancements in AI and Machine Learning and the opportunities for making modeling virtual more accessible and data consumption easier.
At SSi People, we work closely with engineers to apply their skills in the best way to make an impact on companies that seek their capabilities. For help in identifying talent with skills that align with the future of work or for more information on engineering job opportunities that will put these skills to use, contact our recruiting and staffing experts today.
