Study: Pace of Engineering is Accelerating While Engineers are Tasked to Do More With Less

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y., April 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past few years, the pace of engineering has been consistently increasing, with designs becoming more complex as design cycles continue to shrink. However, according to the latest Pulse of Engineering research from IEEE GlobalSpec, the engineering workforce is aging, pressure to get products to market faster continues to grow, and the demand for qualified engineers is exceeding supply, putting a strain on the existing workforce.

More than 1,500 engineers and technical professionals across the United States and around the world responded to the survey.  Design engineers make up 35 percent of the sample, with engineering technology a distant second. Most respondents—65 percent--are individual contributors, team leads, or first- or second-line managers.  Respondents come from a wide range of industries including engineering/tech design services, aerospace & defense, utilities/energy, automotive, and industrial machinery/tools & equipment.

"Engineers' responsibilities are growing and they are taking on a greater number of projects, while team size is decreasing," said Don Lesem, vice president and chief design officer, IEEE GlobalSpec. "With baby-boomers at or nearing retirement age, it is imperative that companies introduce quality knowledge management programs and institute continuing-education services to deliver specialized information to incoming employees to maintain the same level of knowledge, and for vendors to produce trusted, reliable content that helps engineers do their jobs more effectively."

Although most engineers expect to stay with their current jobs for at least five years, about 25 percent indicated they would consider leaving, citing the appeal of new challenges and more appreciation as well as desire for promotion and increased compensation. According to the report, the lack of the ability to find talent on short notice has become a significant challenge. Firms are losing specialized knowledge faster than they can replace it and fewer new hires are coming on board.

Other key findings include:

• 43 percent said that technology is improving productivity, while 55 percent said they are required to do more with less.
• 68 percent are working on three or more projects simultaneously.
• Customer satisfaction and product quality were the performance measures most often cited by engineers; 77 percent of engineers frequently or always meet customer service and satisfaction targets.
• More than half of respondents state that the number of competitors is growing.
• Colleagues, books, technical white papers and training provided by vendors are the four most effective ways that engineers maintain and advance their professional skills.

This report also offers recommendations for industrial marketers to better understand their target audience, align their products more closely with buyers' needs and industry trends, and strengthen relationships with customers and prospects.

The complete research results are available for download at: http://bit.ly/pulseofengineering 

About IEEE GlobalSpec

IEEE GlobalSpec is a community built by engineers, for engineers - delivering the single source for trusted, expert engineering content, information, insight, tools and community for engineers and technical professionals across multiple industries and disciplines. An engaged community of more than 8 million industry professionals rely on IEEE GlobalSpec as a trusted resource at every stage of the research, product design, and purchasing process. For industrial marketers, our mission is to provide comprehensive digital media solutions that connect manufacturers, distributors and service providers with engineers and allied technical professionals and generate unparalleled results – delivering measurable and actionable awareness, demand and engagement opportunities at all stages of the buy cycle. Learn more at www.globalspec.com.

About IEEE

IEEE is the largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.

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Amber Cooleen 
Director, Marketing
IEEE GlobalSpec 
Tel: 518.238.6647  
[email protected]

Adrienne McGarr
Senior Partner
Finn Partners
Tel: 312.718.0040
[email protected]

SOURCE IEEE GlobalSpec