Cheeky Logo
Ready To Transition Into Industry?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

Top 5 Careers for Engineering PhDs

I was only a few months away from obtaining my PhD in engineering.

I have always loved working in the engineering field because of the vast array of paths you can take when studying engineering.

But, as I neared the end of my studies, trying desperately to finish my thesis, I realized that I hadn’t taken the time to look at the job market.

I had been working long hours in the lab and had neglected to network.

I had not bothered to look at the world outside of academia.

What did engineering PhDs do after they graduated?

I didn’t see a lot of postgraduates shuttling back through the halls of academia.

Where did they all go after they graduated?

I decided to ask around my department and contact some of the alumni.

I set up quite a few informational interviews and learned about many of the opportunities, in the private and government sector, available to STEM PhDs.

During my informational interviews, my new connections stressed the importance of practicing my interview skills and getting my industry resume ready.

Through these new contacts, I was able to get a referral, which jump-started my job search, as I began my journey outside of academia.

I knew there was a place for me outside academia, I just had to go and take it.

Why Academia Isn’t The Only Avenue For Great Science

After spending countless days, months, and years on your PhD, it’s about time that you start thinking about what to do next.

Your future in academia is bleak.

According to Nature Biotechnology, 36,000 PhDs are awarded in STEM fields each year, but only 3,000 faculty positions open up.

Those are not good odds.

The truth is, if you stay in academia, you will very likely end up in an underpaid and dead-end postdoc.

Instead, you must realize there are many excellent opportunities suited to PhDs like you outside academia.

The National Science Foundation reported that only 2.1% of science and engineering PhDs are unemployed.

STEM PhDs are in high demand in industry.

There are many opportunities outside academia waiting for you to sink your teeth into.

Top 5 Jobs For Engineering PhDs

Do not feel pressured to stay in academia.

Leaving academia does not mean the end of your time as a scientist or engineer.

You can have a successful and lucrative STEM career outside of a university.

Here are the top 5 industry careers for engineering PhDs…

1. Chemical engineering.

Jobs in chemical engineering focus on the development of materials.

There are many types of positions in chemical engineering, and you will be able to avoid being pigeonholed into one career.

As a PhD, you are qualified for a position in project management, which is responsible for overseeing all aspects from the bench, to manufacturing, and production.

This would allow you to work on different types of projects and have an impact at all stages of development.

If you are interested in working at the bench, you may look into analytical chemical engineering.

Other areas such as manufacturing, mining, and material engineering are great options if you are more attuned to product development.

Meanwhile, positions such as production and quality managers are great options, if working directly with people is something you enjoy.

If you have a background in chemical engineering, there is definitely a job in industry suited to your interests and desired lifestyle.

Chemical engineers can expect to make a salary above $70,000.

2. Biomedical engineering.

Working in biomedical engineering gives you the opportunity to expand into medicine and scientific research.

If you have a calling to help people directly, you can look into biomechanics and orthopedic bioengineering.

These careers will place you into rehabilitation research, for those who have a need for ambulatory assistance.

Biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, and cellular/tissue engineering may be right up your alley if you are interested in doing R&D in a wet lab.

These are just a few of the options you can look into with a degree in biomedical engineering.

With the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence to help ambulatory patients, and the development of biomaterials to make long-lasting devices to replace vital portions of our bodies, there is a need for more PhDs in this area.

The biomedical engineering field is not slowing down any time soon.

Biomedical engineers can expect to earn an annual salary around $90,000.

3. Aerospace engineering.

If your dream is to work among the stars, aerospace engineering is a profession you may want to take a look at.

Here, you will be responsible for designing spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

The work you do here will affect the globe as national defense, space exploration, and telecommunications will be in your hands.

The research and development done in aerospace engineering will not only be used in space, but can lead to real-world applications on Earth.

Recently, it has also been reported that the American Duopoly in the jetliner market is under siege, as new competitors have emerged from China, Canada, and Russia.

This will increase competition, and open up the market for new jobs in aerospace engineering.

Aerospace engineers can expect to earn a salary upwards of $100,000.

4. Computer software engineer.

Computers have come a long way since the advent of the first Turing machine.

With the continuous advancement of computers and Information Technology, it has created the need for extensive software development and security.

PhDs with computer engineering skills are in high demand.

The development and maintenance of computing systems is essential for almost every business infrastructure.

This leads back to the security concerns that come with 24/7 connectivity, whether you work in business, academia, or government.

PhDs in software and systems engineering will have to manage preventative, protective, and restorative measures to maintain the essential computing foundation for any organization.

Cyber-crime will not go away any time soon, and the cost of a massive cyber-attack is huge.

A major cyber-attack could cost up to $120 billion, giving companies huge motivation to invest in computer security and development.

Hence, one can make a lucrative career in computer software engineering.

A computer software engineer can expect to make more than $80,000.

5. Telecommunication engineering.

The new app economy, and the ability to purchase goods with virtual cash, has begun a new paradigm that requires the expertise of engineering PhDs.

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of gadgets, you may want to look into a career in telecommunications engineering.

In telecommunications, there are several specialties that are placed under one umbrella, which can be electrical, computer, and civil engineering.

In other words, you may work on circuitry, or you may be responsible for the development of wireless/broadband technology.

Telecommunications is advancing quickly, as companies scramble to develop their infrastructure and signal capabilities.

This niche career has plenty of potential and should be pursued to help the globalization of communication.

PhDs in telecommunication engineering can expect to earn a $75,000 salary.

The world of engineering has an array of choices available to PhDs. The time to start understanding what is available to you is now. The sooner you begin networking with industry professionals, the better your chances are for landing a job outside of academia. You are doing your career a disservice by limiting yourself to academia. In industry, your engineering PhD can earn you a position in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer software engineering, or telecommunications engineering. The choice is yours to make.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT TAVIS MENDEZ, PHD

Tavis Mendez is a scientist in transition who has a passion for benchwork and communicating biomedical research to the public. Dreaming of becoming a scientist since his adolescent years, he obtained his Ph.D. in a parasitology lab, but has also travelled across the USA and to Asia to study cancer and hypertension. In his free time, Tavis loves to conduct culinary experiments in his kitchen.

Tavis Mendez, PhD

Similar Articles

15 Questions To Ask Employers To Show You're Industry-Ready

15 Questions To Ask Employers To Show You're Industry-Ready

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I know many PhDs who moved from one lab to another or one adjunct ship to another and never really had to interview. Because academia is such an isolated environment most PhDs already know most of what they need to know about the culture, pay, and what’s expected of them. This familiarity gets them in the habit of not asking questions during industry interviews and blowing it spectacularly.  I kept bombing my early industry interviews and I couldn’t figure out why – I knew I was the most qualified candidate they’d interviewed. Many of the interviewers told me so. I…

The Inside Scoop On The Industry Onboarding Process

The Inside Scoop On The Industry Onboarding Process

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Nothing could prepare me for the shock I received walking into my first industry onboarding experience. Literally, everything was different from what I had experienced in academia. The processes, the culture, the pace – absolutely everything. I also had no idea what onboarding meant. I heard the word tossed around but, to me, it was just the process you went through to get all the mandatory paperwork out of the way. That was so far from the truth. My first onboarding experience lasted almost 6 months. Yet, throughout that whole process, I had no idea that I was still being…

4 Questions That Turn LinkedIn Connection Requests Into Industry Job Referrals

4 Questions That Turn LinkedIn Connection Requests Into Industry Job Referrals

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Referrals are extremely powerful. They can give your resume directly to a hiring manager, help you skip steps of the hiring process, and even have a hiring committee reverse a rejection. One of our transitioned members recently shared the following story about a candidate they referred for a position at their company. Someone connected with me and sent me a message on LinkedIn. As they were polite, I agreed to have a voice chat. I attended a few meetings in my company and found out they were looking for someone with a profile that fits this person’s. So, I invited…

Why PhDs Are Talking About Wage Push Inflation And Leaving Academia Early Because Of It

Why PhDs Are Talking About Wage Push Inflation And Leaving Academia Early Because Of It

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

PhDs are talking about the wage push inflation. We are going through a very rare time in the economy. A very rare time in the timeline of humanity. So, if you are a PhD looking for an industry job, it’s possible that you feel lost most of the time.  You might feel like you don’t know the rules you need to follow to get hired. You might feel that the rules are constantly changing. I’m here to tell you that as scary as this time might seem. There are a lot of opportunities that you can take advantage of. In…

The PhD’s Guide To Picking The Best Industry Data Scientist Jobs

The PhD’s Guide To Picking The Best Industry Data Scientist Jobs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

When I started the long road toward my doctorate, I never would have put “PhD” and “unemployed” in the same sentence.  Nevertheless, that’s the reality 60% of all PhDs will face at some point in their career. You might even be living (or soon facing) that reality right now. With more universities scaling back in-person classes in favor of virtual learning, you can expect those secure full-time professorship jobs to grow fewer by the day, too. Why offer a tenured position when you can just hire low-paid adjuncts – especially with online courses becoming the norm? Fortunately, PhDs in data…

3 Fears That Are Strangling Your Career Options

3 Fears That Are Strangling Your Career Options

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Fears destroy your poetntial. I don’t understand why anyone would get their PhD and stay in academia anymore. Logically, that is.  Logically, any PhD can see how postdocs and PhD students are exploited by the system as cheap labor.  Many of them go as far as working for free once they get their PhD, or they get into postdocs that don’t allow overtime, don’t contribute to their retirement, and pay them peanuts.  That’s when self-justification occurs … “I’m doing noble work”  “I’m doing important work”  “I can still be a professor”  “An adjunct professorship is a real professorship”  “Everyone is…

Your Complete Guide To Real Networking For PhDs (Not Just A Means To An End)

Your Complete Guide To Real Networking For PhDs (Not Just A Means To An End)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Networking?” For PhDs? The whole idea of networking always seemed strange…. Kissing up to strangers with small talk all for personal gain? No thanks. Wouldn’t people know I’m just trying to use them?  Well, if the industry hiring manager can’t see my value through a resume and CV, then I don’t need them anyway. I’ll always have academia! …Except I know those secure academia jobs are getting slimmer by the year (and never pay what we deserve to begin with). Okay, fine, I’ll network—but only at a few conferences where I know I’ll run into people who can help me. …

Where Do You Measure Up To The Average PhD Looking For A Job? (Data From 1,679 PhDs Reveals The Truth)

Where Do You Measure Up To The Average PhD Looking For A Job? (Data From 1,679 PhDs Reveals The Truth)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

My resume is above average. Certainly it’s at the mean. That was my belief when I started my job search. I’m way ahead of where I should be when it comes to transitioning into industry. I mean …I haven’t even graduated and I was already looking at options. That was another belief I had when I started my industry job search. Looking back, I’m amazed at how unscientific my approach was when it came to the most important thing in my life at the time – my career. In retrospect, I had no idea what I was doing. I was…

Salaries For 43 PhD Industry Jobs (The Highest Paying Job Is No Surprise)

Salaries For 43 PhD Industry Jobs (The Highest Paying Job Is No Surprise)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

PhDs are increasingly being hired in the top-paying jobs across industries. So, there is no reason for you to stay stuck in academia where PhD salaries are stagnant or plummeting. The U.S. National Institute of Health reports a starting annual salary of US $37,740 for academic postdocs and a study published in Nature reported a starting salary of US $23,660 — the minimum wage set by the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act.  Even with the current inflation, the average salaries for postdocs are below $49,999 per year. This means that rent and prices of other day to day products and…

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.