The boost in electromagnetic-related applications is shared across a number of industries, resulting in a growing demand for RF engineers. A shortage of RF engineers has been reported for growing industry sectors in both consumer and defense markets. RF engineering has been a fast growing segment since 2005. Stability and wages for RF engineers have improved in recent years and are projected to continue until 2012. The demand exhibits a distinct preference towards experience and hands-on RF design skills. This implies heavy RF/microwave R&D across the board. During these seven (good) years, companies and engineers are engaged laying foundations for future microwave technologies and infrastructures in various geographies and markets.
The diverse range of industries now sharing this RF trend simultaneously indicates the stability of this process. Apparently the world is “going wireless” this time (unlike the early 2000s) and with an even broader scope of applications. These seven years will reflect that. The projected duration of the growth and intense R&D activity allows (and maybe calls for) long-term planning. Awareness to the process will challenge forward-looking employers to develop resourceful plans to meet their long-term staffing needs. Career-minded RF engineers will make wise career decisions including the relation between areas of expertise, technologies and markets in their considerations.
This is also a call to the academy and education institutions to realize the potential as well as the urgency of the situation. Using the term URGENT as the adjective is not an understatement and is not related to corporations’ need to compete and sustain market shares. It is about the jobs of the future. Beyond meeting technology goals, the course of the seven good years will result in a new order of technology superpowers. Corporations may be multinational. The employees are always local somewhere. Corporations establish R&D centers where the talent is, and RF engineering is becoming key technology for numerous future uses.
A society that will develop more and better engineers will provide its industry with a better selection of creative talent and will ensure its future technological leadership and the jobs that go along with it. Note: Although technology can be sold or transferred, the creative resources behind it are not transferable (by the time the technology is sold they are already engaged inventing the next generation). This is the ultimate product of education.
A consortium of electrical engineering faculties, industry leaders and related engineering associations would make a fine start. Microwave Journal and ElectroMagneticCareers.com encourage further discussion of this topic and will provide the stage for it. Readers’ feedback is welcome.
Isaac Mendelson
ElectroMagneticCareers.com
Isaac@ElectroMagneticCareers.com
