Recent news of hiring freezes and mass layoffs are now telling a story of an unpredictable job market in the coming year. Many of these job slow-downs are coming from industries, such as biotech, tech, and semiconductor equipment, that have been traditionally big drivers of engineering employment.
Lise Buyer, a tech analyst and investor, said about the recent labor reductions, “It does feel a little like 2000. Hire engineers, hire engineers, hire engineers, and then suddenly companies get a cold bucket of water in their face.”
With so much news of hiring freezes and layoffs taking place before the end of the year, it’s worth asking what industry is still hiring at this point:
Robotics
Industry Outlook: Automation and robotic sales have exceeded expectations in the past 2 years, particularly in the service sector. The World Robotics report shows that the current growth rate of industrial robot sales is up 31%, with a global all-time high of 3.5 million units.
5 Top Applications Using Robotics:
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- 1 of 3 robots sold in 2021 was created for the transportation of goods or cargo.
- Hospitality robots that perform food preparation and service rose by 85% in 2021, with more than 20,000 units sold. This increase is driven by restaurants that were trying to fill labor gaps post-COVID pandemic.
- Sales of medical robots, particularly those for rehabilitation and non-invasive therapy, were up 23% to 14,823 units.
- Demand for professional cleaning robots grew by 31%. Sales of more than 12,600 units were reported, particularly those with space disinfecting and floor cleaning applications.
- Agricultural robots sold more than 8,000 units in 2021, a 6% increase, with an established customer base for cow milking, barn cleaning, and feeding applications. Though crop cultivation is expected to rise in the next few years, it’s still in its early stages.
Jobs in Robotics and Automation: Though automation did contribute to the loss of 4.5 million jobs over the last 10 years, the industry is expected to recuperate those jobs, plus add 1.5 million more, amounting to 6 million jobs in automation and robotics by 2030. Currently, there are over 83,000 Robotics Engineering jobs listed in California, and 351,454 in the U.S. according to LinkedIn.com.
EV (Electric Vehicles)
Industry Outlook: Global sales of Electric Vehicles (EV) had doubled in 2021 to represent nearly 9% of the car market. By the third quarter of 2022, EV sales outpaced their gas-powered predecessors, with a new record of over 200,000 EVs sold in three months in the U.S. Currently, it accounts for 6% of automotive sales, setting it on pace with its goal of 50% of market share by 2030.
Among the factors that are contributing to this increase in demand include rising fuel prices, government incentives for buyers and manufacturers, increased prominence of autonomous delivery vehicles, and the expanded use of electric public transportation.
Jobs in EV: The 2022 US Energy and Employment Report (USEER) said the motor vehicle sector added 228,082 jobs in 2021, up 9.8% from 2020 to 2021. Driving this growth are:
- Hybrid Electric: +23,577 jobs (+19.7%)
- Full Battery Electric: +21,961 jobs (+26.2%)
- Plug-in Hybrid: +14,790 jobs (+30.9%)
According to LinkedIn, there are 22,277 EV Engineering jobs in the U.S., and 3,292 in California.
Aerospace, Parts Manufacturing
Industry Outlook: Though there has been a cooldown in consumer spending, Delta Airlines CEO, Ed Bastian, said the aerospace sector is going through a countercyclical recovery, “Global demand is continuing to ramp as consumers shift spend to experiences, businesses return to travel, and international markets continue to reopen.”
As heightened demand for travel continues to rise, the market for Aerospace Parts Manufacturing is currently valued at $1.03 trillion and is expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2027.
The market is projecting growth in the following:
Parts Type:
- Engines
- Aerostructure
- Cabin Interiors
- Equipment, System, and Support
- Avionics
- Insulation Components
Application:
- Commercial Aircraft
- Business Aircraft
- Military Aircraft
Jobs in Aerospace Engineering: The industry is plagued with talent shortages in engineering and scientists, who are critical for developing technological advances and upgrades throughout the industry. On LinkedIn, there are 19,347 Aerospace Engineering jobs posted in the U.S.; 3,983 in California.
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Though many sectors are experiencing some labor reduction, the labor market is still showing some abundance in hiring. As seen in these sectors’ projections, job prospects for mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers are expected to be sustainable in the long run.
Have you been affected by the recent round of layoffs? Or are you keeping your eyes open for a new engineering job? Visit our Job Board or connect with a SoloPoint Solutions Technical Recruiter today to see what opportunities are still available to you: