Engineering Job Market Trends

Mechanical, hardware, and chemical engineers are among the hardest-to-fill/hardest-to-hire roles for climate tech companies, with time-to-fill times longer than even machine learning engineering roles. ClimateTechList teamed up with data scientist/engineer Jason Zou to analyze our dataset of ~60,000 job posts from 900 climate tech companies posted in the last 6 months. Specifically, we found that the time-to-fill for the following roles were: - Sales: 31.9 days - Marketing: 35.9 - Analyst: 36.0 - Design: 38.5 - Data Science: 40.3 - Product Management: 41.5 - Operations: 42 - Electrical Engineer: 47.1 - Software Eng: 48.2 - Machine Learning Eng: 48.3 - Mechanical Eng: 49.0 - Hardware Eng: 50.2 - Chemical Eng: 51.5 Engineering jobs associated with physical production are hard to hire, namely mechanical engineering, hardware engineering, and chemical engineering, all of which take almost 2x as long to fill (50 days) as sales jobs. Even machine learning engineering positions, in high demand from the AI boom, are filled at a slightly faster rate than these 3 positions Possible reasons for this effect - many of these jobs require in-person work, which makes job matching jobs to candidates inherently more difficult - Federal legislation of the last few years- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS Act are all driving massive investments into U.S. physical infrastructure and manufacturing. These investments disproportionally require talent with physical-product engineering skills more than software engineering skills. 👉 For more insights on hiring trends by company, country and climate tech vertical, see our latest climate tech hiring trends report here: https://lnkd.in/gpMCaSZ6 #climatetechlist #decarbonization #energytransition #chemicalengineering #mechanicalengineering #hardwareengineering #hiringtrends

Engineering research and development-related (ER&D) hiring has jumped almost 60% over last year, reports The Economic Times, citing data from Teamlease. Driving this trend is the demand from the manufacturing and automotive industries and global capability centres (GCC) of multinational companies and service providers. The ER&D sector employs around two million people in the country, according to industry estimates. Manufacturing and automobile companies with existing manufacturing setups in India are extending their R&D, technology, and design centres across the country. The result has been an increase in demand for contract employees in the field as companies setting up GCCs and centres of excellence (CoEs) look for talent on a trial basis, said Sunil C, CEO at Teamlease Digital. Companies have also been keen on converting contract roles to full-time ones. Top profiles in demand across IT services and GCCS include embedded C, cad/cam, automotive domain tools, and data engineering. What makes the ER&D sector a meaningful career prospect for professionals? Entire teams within a geography get to work on larger and more critical parts of projects, said Snehil Gambhir, Partner, Director-Transformation at BCG India, adding that automotive, aerospace, electronics, and semiconductor sectors are driving the demand in India. He also says companies are looking at India to build an alternative supply chain and delivery pool. The space constituted around 16% of the $245 billion Indian technology sector revenue, and grew faster over the previous year compared to the overall growth, as per FY23 Nasscom data. The demand for talent is also expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12-15% over the next five years, according to Rohit Gupta, Head of Technology Center India at Thyssenkrupp. Source: https://lnkd.in/ewWR452G ✍️: Isha Chitnis 📸: Getty Images #AutomotiveIndustry #Engineering #ResearchandDevelopment #Aersopace #Manufacturing

The World Economic Forum’s #FutureofJobsReport 2025 has just been published, on January 9th, and as always, it offers fascinating insights into the shifting dynamics of the global job market. It is a long report, with lots of valuable data. From my perspective, this chart may be the most interesting view included in it. A goldmine for reflection and strategy. The #fastest_growing_roles are - almost all of them - dominated by #AI: Data Specialists, Machine Learning Experts, FinTech Engineers, etc. Notably, green tech (e.g., Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Engineers) is also surging. This underscores how deeply intertwined AI and sustainability have become in shaping our economies. Organizations investing in these areas are not just future-proofing their business—they’re building the future. On the other end, #declining_roles reflect a shift toward #automation. Jobs like Bank Tellers, Cashiers, and Data Entry Clerks are rapidly shrinking, displaced by technology that offers efficiency and cost savings. While this presents significant challenges for those in these professions, it also highlights the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling. Some Implications for Leaders: 1. Talent Strategy Must Evolve: Leaders need to focus on cultivating talent pipelines for roles that didn’t exist a decade ago. From DevOps Engineers to UI/UX Designers, the demand for skills at the intersection of technology and creativity is exploding. 2. Reskilling is Non-Negotiable: Companies must view reskilling as an investment rather than a cost. Employees in declining roles need pathways into emerging professions—this is as much about social responsibility as it is about long-term competitiveness. 3. AI Adoption is Key—but Ethical AI Even More So: The integration of AI isn’t just a trend—it’s a foundational shift. But as we adopt AI in business processes, ensuring ethical and inclusive implementation will differentiate the winners from the rest. In addition, this chart doesn’t just speak to business; it speaks to the broader socio-economic fabric. The gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” in terms of skills is growing. If we fail to address this through public and private partnerships, we risk creating a polarized workforce—one half thriving in high-growth industries and the other struggling in declining sectors. For me, the biggest takeaway is that growth and decline are two sides of the same coin. Where some see loss, others see opportunity. The challenge is ensuring we don’t leave anyone behind in this transition. I really hope that our government leaders, educators, institutional representatives, top managers, and as many people as possible will see, understand, and act based on this data...

If you're in tech, you're sitting on a goldmine right now. While everyone's debating AI job displacement, the engineering sector is quietly becoming the biggest AI beneficiary. The World Economic Forum projects 78 million net new jobs by 2030, and IT and Engineering is leading the charge. This shift is creating entirely new job categories that didn't exist two years ago. Here are five emerging growth areas for IT and Engineering: 1. AI-native product development → AI Product Managers who understand ML lifecycles and enterprise pain points. 2. AIOps infrastructure → MLOps engineers are moving companies from AI experiments to production. Every enterprise needs these skills. 3. AI cybersecurity → Red teamers for LLMs are literally paid to break AI systems.  4. Enterprise data infrastructure → Vector database engineers managing RAG pipelines are helping AI systems access the right information at the right time. 5. Vertical AI specializations → LegalTech AI specialists, FinTech AI analysts, HR tech AI specialists—domain expertise + AI fluency is the new superpower. The numbers back this up: $632 billion in AI spending (including applications, infrastructure, and IT services) by 2028. This will lead to new AI roles in engineering, product, data, and operations to maintain these AI systems. Bottom line: The engineers who adapt fastest will have the most opportunities. In my latest newsletter, I break down exactly how to transition into each of these roles, plus the specific tools and skills that matter most. What AI role are you most curious about? #AI #Engineering #IT #FutureOfWork

𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗲. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻? The software engineering job market has transformed dramatically since its 2022 peak, with positions down 150%. Starting in late 2022, layoffs hit tech hard. Hiring slowed, and many junior and mid-level roles disappeared. Even experienced engineers felt the pressure. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. Also, AI forces us to learn new skills, while non-AI companies face tighter funding and stagnant compensation. Meta's recent message with layoffs was clear: "These were our lowest performers, good riddance." Companies now 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. The era of being treated as "special little geniuses" with unlimited perks is over. How we can adapt as an engineer in 2025: 🔹 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲—𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀: Learn product thinking and business impact. 🔹 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Focus on the 2-3 initiatives your leadership cares about, not what engineers find interesting 🔹 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: Tie your work directly to business metrics; vague "developer experience" improvements won't save you in layoffs 🔹 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗜-𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Learn prompt engineering and use tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Cody to multiply productivity. Be a master of vibe coding. 🔹 𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁: If you don't proactively abandon low-priority work, decisions will be made for you 🔹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀, such as distributed systems, performance, infrastructure, security, and data engineering. These are difficult to automate and outsource. 🔹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀: Create visibility for your contributions with weekly accomplishment emails to leadership 🔹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: Build relationships with high-performers in revenue-generating teams. This is probably the most important thing you can do. I've had several conversations with talented senior engineers struggling to find work for months. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱. If you have a stable job, please keep it and make yourself valuable. The engineers who will survive aren't the ones with the latest tech skills—they're the ones who will add value to their companies in 2025. Image: Visual Capitalist. #technology #softwareenginering #programming #coding #career

The recent World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights the trends reshaping the global labor market. WEF estimates a net increase of 78 million jobs with employers expecting 40% of the skills required to shift over the next 5 years. The report notes “helping workers achieve the right mix of technical and human skills will be vital as the future of work continues to evolve.” These trends and forecasts align with a recent podcast conversation I had with John Nixon. It doesn’t get more energetic than a workforce development convo with John who leads Siemens Digital Industries Software's Energy & Chemicals Industry. John: “What excites me is workforce development is so incredibly important to us in Energy & Chemicals.” He emphasized the industry’s skill challenges along with labor shortages - noting 10% of engineer demand will be from data centers by 2035. We doubled down on intersections. We discussed the industry skills intersection as digital twins go into the field. We looked at the timely intersection of supply and demand changes in engineering education. John emphasized the “tremendous skills gap” that requires a new level of skills development due to digital transformation, as well as talent turnover in academia and industry. The challenges are global. That’s why you see whole regions like the European Union recommending microcredentials to promote a culture of lifelong learning. The United Arab Emirates adopted a policy to leverage microcredentials to strengthen opportunities for learning and employability. It’s clear a new level of digital fluency is required to meet the transformation in the energy industry. Credentials play a key role in providing recognition for knowledge and skills and connecting talent with employers. They address the need for more flexible and accessible learning pathways. Now more than ever, academia and industry must collaborate on creative, cost-effective digital solutions. sie.ag/76vR91 #workforcedevelopment

What trends will shape India’s tech job market this year? Here’s my take: 1. The remote revolution continues: The hybrid work approach, which combines office and remote work, is projected to endure. Companies are embracing remote-friendly employment, creating chances for people across geographies. 2. Skills in High Demand: The demand for data engineering, AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity is increasing. Professionals with knowledge in these areas are expected to enjoy more lucrative employment opportunities and higher demand as firms pursue digital transformation. 3. Innovation Hubs Are Redefining Landscapes: Emerging technology clusters are reshaping career opportunities. Cities and regions that place a high value on innovation and technology are becoming job creation hotspots, attracting both individuals and businesses. 4. Digital Transformation Across Industries: Industries are leaning heavily into technology, leading to a rising demand for IT experts. As businesses strive for digital transformation, professionals skilled in implementing and managing tech solutions will be in high demand across various sectors. 5. Upskilling as a Priority: The rapid evolution of technology necessitates continuous learning. Upskilling and staying current with the latest trends and technologies will be essential for professionals to remain competitive and relevant in the ever-changing tech landscape. 6. Focus on Cybersecurity: With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, there's a growing need for cybersecurity experts. The constant threat of cyber-attacks makes cybersecurity a critical aspect of any tech-driven organization, leading to a surge in demand for professionals in this field. 7. Artificial Intelligence Integration: AI is becoming more integrated into various business processes. Jobs related to AI development, machine learning, and data science are expected to see significant growth as companies seek to leverage the power of AI for efficiency and innovation. 8. Sustainability Tech Roles: As sustainability gains prominence, there's a rising demand for tech professionals who can contribute to green and sustainable practices. Roles related to developing and implementing eco-friendly technologies may see an increase in demand. The tech #job market is evolving rapidly, driven by #remote #work trends, a focus on key #technologies, the emergence of innovation hubs, digital transformation across industries, and the imperative for continuous upskilling. Professionals who adapt to these trends and cultivate in-demand #skills will find themselves well-positioned in the dynamic world of technology careers. #TechWrapIndia #JobsonTheRise #LinkedInNewsIndia LinkedIn News India LinkedIn News

Was recently asked a couple of questions on employment and skills in the burgeoning space technology industry in India. Putting answers here as well in case it helps anyone! Question 1: What emerging technologies in your sector do you predict will create the most job opportunities in 2024? Personally, I think the following have the most scope: 🛰️ Small Satellite Development: The trend towards smaller, more cost-effective satellites is accelerating. This shift opens up opportunities for engineers and technicians skilled in miniaturized satellite design, lightweight materials, and efficient propulsion systems. 📡 Space-Based Communication Networks: With increasing reliance on satellite communication for global connectivity, there's a growing need for network engineers, cybersecurity experts, and specialists in satellite communication systems. 🌎 Remote Sensing and Earth Observation: The application of space tech for environmental monitoring, agriculture, and urban planning is expanding. Professionals with expertise in geospatial technologies, environmental science, and remote sensing will find increasing opportunities. 🚀 Rockets and Propulsion Systems: As we advance in space exploration, the development of efficient and reliable rockets and propulsion systems becomes increasingly important. This sector will require a diverse range of professionals, from propulsion engineers to materials scientists, who can innovate and improve the way we travel to space. Question 2: What advancements in tech in your field should tech professionals in India prepare for, and what skills will they need to stay relevant? ⚛️ While the importance of software development cannot be overstated, the space tech industry's progress in India hinges significantly on advancing our hardware capabilities. It's a classic case of 'atoms over bits.' The development of tangible, physical technologies – the atoms – is as crucial as the bits of software that drive them. As we advance further into space exploration and satellite technology, the demand for skilled hardware engineers only increases. 🛠️ Hardware engineering in the space sector involves a myriad of challenges and opportunities, from designing resilient satellite components that can withstand the harsh conditions of space, to developing innovative propulsion systems and efficient power sources. These engineers are the backbone of our physical technology, translating theoretical designs into tangible products that can operate in the extreme environments of space. Their role in creating durable, reliable, and efficient hardware is fundamental to the success of any space mission.

🚀 Which Job Roles Are in Highest Demand in Semiconductor Companies? 🧪 1. Process Engineers (Highest Demand in Manufacturing) What they do: Optimize each step of chip fabrication: lithography, etching, deposition, CMP, ion implantation. Why in demand: A modern fab has 1,500+ process steps. Every percentage gain in yield = millions saved. Analogy: Like chefs who fine-tune the recipe so the bakery (the fab) produces perfect cakes every time. 🔍 2. Equipment Engineers What they do: Maintain and optimize multi-million-dollar machines: EUV lithography Etchers Deposition tools Why in demand: Each EUV machine costs $200M+. Downtime = millions lost per hour. Analogy: They’re the F1 pit crew of the fab — equipment must run at perfect performance. ASML added 14,000 new engineers in the past few years, primarily equipment specialists. 🏭 3. Yield Engineers What they do: Identify defects, improve yield, reduce scrap. Why in demand: A single 300mm wafer can hold thousands of chips. 1% yield improvement = millions of dollars. 📐 4. Design Engineers (Chip Designers) Includes: RTL engineers Digital/Analog designers ASIC engineers SOC architects Memory designers Why in demand: AI, 5G, EVs, and cloud computing need new chip designs every year. Analogy: These are the architects designing skyscrapers (chips) before builders construct them. Example: NVIDIA and Apple hire hundreds of SoC and GPU design engineers annually for next-gen chips. 🧠 5. Verification Engineers (Critical in Chip Design) Role: Test the chip design thoroughly before fabrication. In demand because: Verification consumes 60–70% of total design time in large SOC projects. Analogy: They’re like test pilots ensuring the airplane is safe before passengers fly. 🔌 6. Test Engineers Role: Develop strategies to test finished chips: E-test Wafer-level test Final test Why in demand: Testing accounts for up to 25% of chip production cost. Example: Qualcomm and MediaTek employ massive test engineering teams for smartphone SOCs. 🔧 7. Packaging & Assembly Engineers (OSAT Roles) Includes: Advanced packaging 2.5D/3D integration TSV, chiplets, CoWoS Thermal management Why in demand: Packaging is now as important as transistor scaling. Analogy: Like building multi-storey buildings with tight plumbing/electrical systems stacked on top. Data: TSMC’s CoWoS capacity demand increased 3× in 2023–24 due to AI chips. 🌡️ 8. Materials Engineers & Chemists Role: Develop gases, photoresists, slurry, deposition materials, CMP chemicals. Why in demand: Every advanced node (5nm, 3nm, 2nm) needs new materials. Analogy: Just like Michelin-star chefs need specialty ingredients, fabs need ultra-pure electronic chemicals. Example: JSR, BASF, and Shin-Etsu actively hire material scientists for EUV photoresists. ~~~~~ If you are looking to invest in semiconductors and need expert insights, drop us a DM.

The tech sales model is consolidating around Solutions Engineers 💡 Insiders at both Microsoft and Citrix have confirmed this to me recently, and Microsoft have come out publicly and confirmed it with their latest round of layoffs. Sales generalists are on their way out, and tech savvy specialists and especially SEs are being prioritised, with SEs starting to pick up more commercial tasks to complement their technical skills. 📈 Here are some headlines: "Microsoft plans to replace many of the salespeople it laid off with more technical roles to compete with OpenAI, Google" - Business Insider "The traditional 'Relationship Guy' in sales is on the way out - solution engineers who know the product will replace salespeople" - Jason Lemkin Another quote: "The customer wants Microsoft to bring their technical people in front of them quickly. We need someone who is more technical much earlier in the cycle". The job market seems to back this up, with more roles available for SEs and other pre-sales specialists than ever before, suggesting that SEs may be in the middle of a renaissance. It's just that it may be at the expense of traditional sales people 😬 #Microsoft #Citrix #Sales #Presales