Thinking of Becoming an Engineer? Look at These Seven Areas Where Future High Demand is Forecasted

November 13, 2019 – Please welcome James Daniels who is a freelance writer, tech buff, and overall geek. An avid reader and researcher, he can while away his hours reading and learning about the latest gadgets and technology, and then offering his opinions and views on many different topics. This is James’ first contribution to 21st Century Tech Blog. As always your comments and feedback are appreciated. And remember you can follow 21st Century Tech Blog on Facebook and Twitter.

While there is significant demand for engineers in numerous fields today, there are some that are hotter than others where demand for specific expertise is needed. Today we know that automation and machine learning are high demand fields, but there are many other engineering jobs we can expect to hear more about in the future. Here are some of them. 

Self-Driving/Autonomous Vehicle Engineers

The coming age of autonomous vehicles will see massive growth in demand for skilled engineers who understand the technology. Already, a lack of personnel to fill these jobs is putting inflationary pressure on wages. How much so? Salaries for self-driving vehicle engineers in the San Francisco area are on average exceeding $290,000 per year.

Sounds like a good opportunity? For those interested, you will need a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering from schools like Kettering University which offers online courses in relevant subject matter. Kettering teaches everything from integrating computer and electrical systems in autonomous vehicles to working on robotics and artificial intelligence. It is a far-reaching program that meets the expertise needed to fill a large number of unfilled positions giving an aspiring engineer the ability to be in the “driver’s seat” where no driver needs to sit.

Machine Learning and Data Science

The Internet of Things (IoT) and the torrent of data it will generate represent another burgeoning field where employers cannot find enough people with data science experience. This field is all about analyzing, parsing, and finding meaning in massive amounts of data collected by smart devices and sensors across a broad range of business sectors including finance, medicine, e-commerce, transportation, manufacturing, resource extraction, energy infrastructure, and other fields.  IoT which will come of age as 5G networks are rolled out across the globe will profoundly transform data sharing. Every aspect of a business can now be put under a microscope to help improve processes and identify inefficiencies. But unless the data can be presented in a digestible way, it has the potential to just become “noise.”

Machine learning experts will be in demand to build predictive models using IoT data. The data collected in the past and present will help to build self-correcting algorithms and make predictions which can then be further refined based on results.

Want to know what you can earn? A data science and machine learning expert can expect a salary in the range of $105,000 per year.

Petroleum Engineer

Don’t be fooled by the global shift to more sustainable renewable energy sources. We will still have fossil fuels for years to come, and the need for expertise will very much be in demand. Petroleum engineers overlook the drilling process, monitor and implement drilling plans, and work on the design of drilling equipment. What makes this field attractive is the fact that many working in it currently are nearing the age of retirement. So don’t overlook the field because great opportunities are likely to exist for the next few decades.

Alternative Energy Engineer

And then there is the opposite of petroleum engineers in the energy field, those working on renewable, green and sustainable long-term energy projects. Governments today are attempting to address and mitigate climate change, and as a result, are influencing the direction in which the energy industry is going. Green energy is the way of the future, with solar expected to surpass coal-fired power production as an energy source in the United States by the year 2022. Solar panels are getting cheaper which is driving demand. And new materials and designs are creating opportunities for new business startups to get into the renewable energy field. 

If this sounds like something you would be interested in you will need to start with a Bachelors in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s degree in the energy field of choice.

Civil Engineering

The world we live in would not exist if it weren’t for civil engineers who work on all types of infrastructure and remain in very high demand. There are lots of reasons for this.

1. Existing infrastructure in the United States and many Developed World countries has reached end-of-life and will need to be replaced. This includes bridges, highways, subsurface infrastructure, and buildings.
2. Developing World countries are raising standards of living and demand for infrastructure to sustain economic growth is critical.
3. Cities are becoming the place where the majority of humanity lives, and in the face of climate change, smart city and building design is driving demand.
4. Global sea-level rise and increasingly extreme weather events are driving nations to harden infrastructure, and devise new adaptive technologies.

So if you are considering civil engineering as a field of endeavor then expect to be well-challenged and well-compensated.

Mining Engineer

Mining continues to be a critical industry sector with materials from mining playing a central role in the life cycle of almost all products we produce. Mining engineers are in charge of designing both underground and open-pit mining operations. They are also responsible for transportation, material processing, and post-extraction refining. While demand for iron is expected to decline, mining for nickel, cadmium, lithium, chromium, and rare-earth elements needed in the production of batteries and autonomous vehicles is a burgeoning field. 

Project Engineer

The role of the Project Engineer is to be the glue that sticks everything together in industrial processes, warehousing, transportation, and more. The field isn’t something explicitly studied since engineers learning other specialties can fulfill a project engineering position. But to excel in these opportunities candidates for unfilled positions should consider taking courses in project management often offered in the Faculty of Business at universities and polytechnical institutes. Project engineers need to oversee every aspect of a project including understanding how to motivate personnel to achieve co-ordinated results. It’s a great position for people who like to work on the human side of engineering.

So there you have it. Have we missed one of the other burgeoning engineering jobs in demand in offering this list? Then please send your comments to add to the conversation because now, more than ever, is the perfect time to consider the many opportunities the future holds for those entering one of these many fields.