Electronics engineers are some of the most in-demand engineers in Canada. That makes it challenging to find engineers for your company’s automotive infotainment projects. Companies need to compete to get the best engineers for their infotainment teams.
The more you know about the automotive infotainment industry, the easier it will be for you to recruit the talented engineers you need. Here’s your ultimate guide to the global automotive infotainment industry.
Major Segments of the Industry
There are many types of products that electronics engineers work on. To hire engineers, you need to be familiar with some of these products. Engineers will want to know details about what projects your company is working on. While you may not be able to divulge too much about projects in development, you’ll have a hard time hiring without sharing general details.
Navigation and connectivity are growing segments of the industry. Navigation refers to the GPS features of infotainment systems, and engineers are always trying to improve navigational capabilities. Connectivity means connecting the infotainment system to other devices, like mobile phones. Connectivity works both ways. Mobile phones can power apps through the infotainment system, and the infotainment system can project a Wi-Fi network for the phones.
Another major segment of the industry is the display segment. Every company wants to make its infotainment system look better and be more user-friendly.
Global Growth of Automotive Infotainment
When you’re hiring engineers, it’s helpful to be aware of the global market. This helps you talk knowledgeably to engineers during interviews. By 2021, the global automotive infotainment market is projected to be worth an estimated $56.7 billion. That represents a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent from 2016 to 2021.
Why is the market growing so fast? Consumers are more aware of connected car offerings, and governments are more concerned about driver security. An increase in vehicle production in the Asia-Pacific region is another factor affecting growth.
Requirements for Infotainment Engineers
Now that you know more about the global automotive infotainment industry, you’re one step closer to hiring engineers. You also need to know the skills engineers need to be successful in this industry, however. If you’re not an engineer yourself, you may not know what you’re supposed to be looking for or what you should write in the job description.
Like other engineering workers you’ve procured, infotainment engineers will need a post-secondary degree. This degree should be in software engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Candidates should also have knowledge of UI framework and Android UI framework. They should have experience working with ActionScript, Qt, or HTML5. They should also have experience in some of the infotainment industry’s market segments. This includes navigation, speech recognition, hands-free processing, internet apps, or cybersecurity.
Soft skills are also essential for infotainment engineers. They need excellent communication skills to work with the rest of the team and with external suppliers. They need above-average problem-solving skills to identify issues with the infotainment systems and to come up with solutions. They also need to have a strong work ethic so the infotainment projects can be completed on schedule.
Where to Find Infotainment Engineers
Since infotainment engineers are in high demand, they can be difficult to find, and you need an essential guide to hiring engineers. The best engineers are probably already working for other companies and may not be checking online job boards. Eighty-five percent of employed workers are open to new job opportunities, so don’t be afraid to go looking for these candidates.
Networking is one place to start. For example, you could meet candidates through events hosted by one of Canada’s engineering associations. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers holds three conferences a year, and you could meet talented engineers at these conferences.
You can also ask your company’s current infotainment employees to refer candidates. They may know talented people in the industry who are open to a new job. Offer a reward, like a cash bonus, to encourage good referrals.
