The Most In-Demand Engineering Jobs in Canada

If you’re an engineer, your career prospects are probably pretty enviable. Many industries already need your knowledge, and salaries start relatively high. However, demand for your skills is only set to increase in the next few years as older professionals age out of their positions. Overall, the future looks rosy for you and your peers.

Still, some jobs are more desirable than others. In-demand positions will offer you the ability to distinguish yourself faster and move up the ranks at a younger age. This will allow you greater freedom and control over your career choices. The right decision could put you on the fast track to success. 

But how can you determine which careers will offer the best long-term potential, and how will these jobs balance this promise with your immediate needs? These are both valuable questions, and this article will help you answer them. We’ll look at a few of the most auspicious engineering jobs in Canada and how they’ll change across industries within the next few years. There’s no better time than the present to start planning your future, and this list will help you do just that.

Software Engineers

You can expect a prosperous career if you have a background in software engineering. Demand for this position has grown at lightspeedsince 2006, and it shows no sign of slowing down. It currently ranks seventh on Canadian Business’s list of Canada’s best jobs, and while increasing salaries have led to a proportionate rise in job competition, graduates are still highly valued in today’s job market.

Software engineers can take on a wide range of roles, depending on the organization that employs them. These professionals usually create and design specifications for software, but they may also be involved in testing products, investigating their efficiency, and training new users on how to use them.

Petroleum Engineers

Considering the recent slump in oil prices, this engineering specialty may seem odd as an in-demand discipline. However, Canada’s petroleum industry is set to rebound in 2017, with job growth surging to 300 percent by 2018 before slowing slightly to 200 percent by 2024. Regardless, prospects don’t look as grim as they once did for these engineering jobs in Canada.

Demand isn’t the only selling point for petroleum engineers. Median salaries hover just below $105,000 per year, so these professionals can expect to live large. Petroleum engineers can also seek work with a wide variety of employers, from government or research organizations to oil extractors and more.

Aerospace Engineers

The aerospace industry seems to have contracted since 2009, as companies have shed 21 percent of their workers. However, this field can still guarantee plenty of engineering jobs in Canada over the next few years. Rapid retirement rates and projected growth mean that about 1,400 jobs per year could be available through 2024.

Engineers who specialize in aerospace generally require more education in order to compete. Still, these professionals can hold one of many roles. Salaries have also grown steadily, and while the current median sits below the six-digit mark, there may be an increase over time.

Electronics Engineers

You’ve already heard about software, and now it’s time to learn about hardware. Compared to other performers on this list, electronics engineering growth seems slightly slow. Demand has only increased by about 4.4 percent in five years, and significant growth isn’t expected until 2022 at least. But electronics engineering still places 24th on the Canadian Business list of the top 100 jobs, and median salaries have generally increased by about 16 percent since 2009.

Interested in this topic ? Read more:

Engineering Recruitment Agencies: 4 Things You Likely Don’t Know

5 Interview Questions Engineering Recruiters Ask

5 Great Tips for Finding Jobs at Engineering Companies

3 Reasons Why You Should Become an Engineer