Engineering

As the world changes with the latest technologies and as we grow accustomed to the luxuries they afford us, there will be an increased demand for highly skilled, innovative professionals to continue the trend. These advancing technologies will put pressure on industry to improve and update their current systems—whether for production facilities or corporate offices—if they are to stay competitive.

Overall, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts faster than average growth for all engineers through 2032. However, job prospects can vary by specialty. For example, there will be little or no employment change for nuclear engineers, while petroleum engineers will experience average growth.

Opportunities in the chemical engineering sector will derive mainly from new fields in the sector, such as nanotechnology, alternative energies, and biotechnology. Computer hardware engineers who have a higher-level degree and knowledge or experience will see the most opportunities in this field. Civil engineers will find employment opportunities involving renewable energy and drinking water projects, along with more traditional areas like road and bridge construction.

According to the DOL, electric and electrical engineers will be needed to help develop sophisticated consumer electronics, such as communications technologies, semiconductors, and solar arrays.

The biggest opportunities for material engineers may be found at companies or organizations that are focused on environmental sustainability. One example is the development of fuel-efficient and lightweight aircraft using new metal alloys.

Biomedical engineers will benefit from increased demand for biomedical devices and procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, primarily from the aging Baby Boom generation. According to the DOL, this generation seeks to maintain its healthy and active lifestyle, so is turning to doctors for biomedical solutions to allow them to remain active. In addition, says the DOL, the general public has become more aware of medical advances, leading to an increase in the number of people seeking biomedical advances for themselves from their physicians. The breadth of the activities that biomedical engineers can take part in, thanks to the diversity of the training they receive, also will be advantageous for this specialty.

Environmental engineers will be needed to help local governments improve water and air quality and access to clean drinking water. Cleanup of contaminated sites and wastewater treatment are also areas that will keep environmental engineers busy during this time. Environmental engineers with a master's degree in environmental engineering will have the advantage in the job market.

The employment of both mechanical and industrial engineers will grow much faster than the average through 2032. In the case of industrial engineers, demand will be strong for professionals with expertise in supply chain and logistics management, production process optimization, and automation. Mechanical engineers also will benefit from a stronger focus on automation, as manufacturers use more complex machinery.

A November 2023 LinkedIn article by Mark Hall-Smith of the firm, Barclay Recruitment, identified 10 emerging trends that were impacting the engineering field. These included sustainable and green engineering, the use of digital twins (digital versions of real-world environments used for simulations and analyses), advanced robotics and automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, 3D printing in construction, modular and prefabricated construction, the Internet of Things (IoT), renewable energy technologies, materials science advancements, and cybersecurity issues.

In 2024, the U.S. engineering services industry was valued at $350.9 billion, with nearly 141,000 business and 1 million employees, according to the research group, IBISWorld. Revenues had expanded 1.6 percent over the previous five years, despite the impact of COVID-19 as the decade began. Rapid growth was occurring in the areas of project management and consulting because construction and industrial projects were becoming more complex. The firm expected the industry to continue growing through 2029.

There will continue to be good opportunities for engineers in the near future. "Aspiring engineers can expect competitive compensation packages, reflecting the high demand for their skill set," Kelly Services Inc. noted in its 2024 outlook for the profession. "Employer expectations are evolving too, with a growing emphasis on adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies. The opportunity for engineering professionals to carve out your own niche remains promising." Kelly named communication, analysis, leadership, scheduling, and collaboration as the most in-demand skills, while civil engineering, drafting, quality control, client relationships, and AutoCAD were experiencing the fastest growth.