If you can believe it, we’re halfway through the decade. As we approach this year’s midpoint, we thought it appropriate to look at the state of engineering in 2025 and where it could end up in 2030. Though it’s impossible to tell the future, looking at present trends may point to some clues as to what’s coming next.
Increased Demand and Job Growth
The present: Multiple factors are driving a demand for engineers in 2025. Per the website SSiPeople, the manufacturing and industrial engineering sectors are experiencing a resurgence because of automation and smart factories, both of which are increasing the need for engineers proficient in production optimization, systems integration, and robotics.
The future: The engineering job market is predicted to grow up to 8.6% by 2033, according to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This amounts to almost 200,000 new job openings each year. The Bureau also estimates job growth of over 10% in the fields of industrial and mechanical engineering, with median annual wages in those areas nearing six-figures.
The Rise of AI and Cybersecurity
The present: Artificial intelligence (AI), while steadily growing in helpful capabilities, can also be used with malicious intent. These attacks can impact automation, digital control systems, and engineering and R&D documents (like design files).
The future: The Key Engineering Institute of Technology predicts further in the decade that industrial engineering will need trained individuals to identify vulnerabilities, design secure networks, and implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure.
Changes in Educating Engineers
The present: The technology involved in engineering is always evolving. As such, engineering schools may struggle to adapt to any rapid technological advances. For example, AI is a relatively new development this decade, so some programs may still be fine-tuning their approaches to that platform. Additionally, AI is only part of a larger multidisciplinary field encompassing robotics and machine learning. Advancements in these fields are rampant. For those receiving an education in engineering, it may seem like a never-ending barrage of advances are coming their way that they must learn about.
The future: Hybrid roles (mixing time on location and at home), which was propelled by the pandemic, can improve accessibility for individuals who may be unable to frequently present inside a school. It can also reduce traveling costs and reduce the price of education programs. Also, as technologies like AI and robotics continue to be used throughout the decade, there will be more of an understanding and familiarity of what they are capable of. Schools will be better equipped to educate the next generation of engineers, leading to improvements in education and improved future efficiency in the workspace.
What trends or advancements do you think will occur in the next decade? Let’s keep the conversation going on Apple Rubber’s X (formerly Twitter)! You can also contact our skilled engineers with any questions you may have.