Sports Engineers

Aspiring sports engineers should first obtain one to three years of experience in a traditional engineering position and then obtain experience and education in sports engineering to prepare for full-time positions in the field.

While one can technically become a sports engineer without being a sports fan, nearly all aspiring sports engineers love sports or are at least fascinated by the science and engineering aspects of athletics. As a result, a passion for and an understanding of sports is key to success in this career. Additionally, sports engineers must be extremely curious and willing to learn because they may work on projects that focus on equipment, wearable technology, or other deliverables for a sport that they know little or nothing about. Other important traits for engineers include strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills; creativity; patience; top-notch writing, speaking, and listening skills; and the ability to work well in team and individual environments. Sports engineers also need expertise in computer-aided design, prototyping, and data analytics.