Key Engineering Trends to Know for 2022
Engineering organizations are realigning priorities after the tumultuous past 18 months to start off 2022 on a stronger note. Technology is at the forefront of many industries and is integrated into many aspects of engineering, increasing efficiency, convenience and collaboration. Despite major improvements technologically, the engineering industry is still steadily recovering from the impact of the pandemic on its fields.
2022 may bring even more change to engineering and related roles, but we outlined several key trends that arose this year which are predicted to play pivotal parts in the industry. By preparing proactively for impending trends, you can fully equip your engineering team with new roles and responsibilities to tackle what 2022 brings.
Continued Supply Chain Backlogs
Unsurprisingly, supply chain roles will need to be filled in 2022 to get production back on its feet. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that industrial engineering jobs will grow by 10% by 2029 and with the current labor shortage, it’s essential to have the right talent on your team.
Businesses are still dealing with the havoc of inflation, transportation and freight problems, and material scarcity caused by the disruption of the pandemic, making supply chain roles more important than ever. Such positions can include tasks such as negotiating a contract for a purchasing order, routing logistics for distribution, meeting with suppliers for product sourcing needs, forecasting the demand planning to align with the supply planning based on current supply chain conditions.
Currently, retailers and shipping companies alike are bracing themselves for the impending increase in shipping and purchasing during the 2021 holiday season, but economists say companies should be realistically thinking about supply chain plans for 2022 and beyond — and hiring the talent to get ahead of the extended backlog.
Further Integration of Artificial Intelligence
Data shows that AI is becoming a maturing industry – though the number of AI job postings in the U.S. did not increase in 2020, experts still consider the field to be growing based on increased use of the technology across industries. The demand for engineers who know the ins and outs of managing AI can be credited to several external factors: major developments in language and generative models; the government invested more in the use of AI than ever before; and private and corporate investment in AI increased significantly, according to a 2021 AI Index study from Stanford University.
Over half of companies who responded to a 2020 McKinsey survey, from the assembly, supply chain, manufacturing, tech and telecom sectors, said their organizations have adopted AI in at least one function. Increased use of automation and artificial intelligence help speed up production and assembly, as organizations catch up with supply chain backlogs.
Critical roles in automation and artificial intelligence include directors, engineers, developers, and data scientists in machine learning, many of which are ranked among the highest salaried jobs in technology, particularly because more organizations need them.
How Addison Group Helps
The vetting process will be critical as these jobs often require an increase of technical skills and certifications. Addison Group executes a robust vetting process specific to engineering, which ensures that candidates meet the proper criteria needed to help organizations keep up with the changes within the industry and its work environments.
2022 will only further enhance technology as an integral connector in the world’s infrastructure, and up-to-date engineering jobs will be necessary to make that happen. Addison Group can help you find contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire talent to build a strong engineering team. Partner with us today.
