Certain types of engineers can have higher earnings potential, especially if they work in industries like healthcare and technology. The highest-paying jobs in this field relate to those who handle large amounts of data for companies, as data storage is largely demanded by large companies and corporations. Here is a list of 10 of the highest-paying engineering jobs. Take note of this list when you’re applying for jobs to earn a higher salary for your career.
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells. A petroleum engineer strategizes with other engineers on ways to extract oil and natural gas from the earth. Oil and gas deposits, or reservoirs, are located deep in rock formations underground. These reservoirs can be accessed only by drilling wells, either on land, or at sea from offshore oil rigs.
Once oil and gas are discovered, petroleum engineers work with geoscientists and other specialists to understand the geologic formation of the rock containing the reservoir. They then determine the drilling methods, design the drilling equipment, implement the drilling plan, and monitor operations.
The best techniques currently being used recover only a portion of the oil and gas in a reservoir, so petroleum engineers also research and develop new ways to recover more of the oil and gas. They keep records on the amount they drill per day and log it into their records. They also find additional means to drill and see what tools can streamline the drilling process. This additional recovery helps to lower the cost of drilling and production. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical or civil engineering can make you stand out, along with relevant internship experience for a post like petroleum engineer.
Electrical Engineer–
An electrical engineer is someone who designs and develops new electrical systems, solves problems and tests equipment. They study and apply the physics and mathematics of electricity, electromagnetism and electronics to both large- and small-scale systems to process information and transmit energy. They work with all kinds of electronic devices, from the smallest pocket devices to large supercomputers. Electrical engineers are usually concerned with large-scale electrical systems such as motor control and power transmission, as well as utilizing electricity to transmit energy. Electrical engineers may work on a diverse range of technologies, from the design of household appliances, lighting and wiring of buildings, telecommunication systems, electrical power stations and satellite communications. Another emerging field for electrical engineers is microelectronics – the design and development of electrical systems and circuits in computers and mobile devices. Electrical engineers work in transport networks, lighting, heating, ventilation, lift systems, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, manufacturing and construction. You will elaborate project plans, estimate project timescales and costs, manage the work of technicians and craftspeople, test installations, analyse data and ensure that health and safety regulations are met. A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering helps you start out on a career of Electrical Engineer.
Computer Engineer
Computer engineers evaluate, design, and maintain computer hardware and software systems. They develop, test, and design, computer processors, circuit boards, and network systems. They resolve problems or address any concerns that occur with the hardware or software and aid in the advancement of computer technology. A computer engineer is responsible for the development of a company’s computer hardware and software structure. Computer software engineers help with the applications that can run on a computer or smartphone for business purposes. They’ll be accountable for training staff on how to use software to achieve their goals and upgrade the software to bolster its functionality. Hardware engineers take ownership of the computer itself, so they can repair parts that break or install add-ons that may have a positive benefit on the user. A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering or computer science can make you stand out, along with relevant internship experience. Though a bachelor’s degree required, it is only the minimum; and leads to entry-level positions. Many employers seek candidates with a master’s degree or doctorate. Besides that, continuous learning throughout your career is expected to keep up with constant advances in technology.
Aeronautical Engineers
An aeronautical engineer works on the physical components of aircraft, spacecraft and satellites. They develop systems to improve the safety of the aircraft while in the air, undertake research to increase fuel efficiency and improve its environmental impact. They ensure the items they work on align with the requests from their client and manager, along with ensuring they’re working within the guidelines of assigned procedures. Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design. Aerospace engineers may develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and spacecraft. They often specialize in areas such as aerodynamic fluid flow; structural design; guidance, navigation, and control; instrumentation and communication; robotics; and propulsion and combustion.
Aerospace engineers can specialize in designing different types of aerospace products, such as commercial and military airplanes and helicopters; remotely piloted aircraft and rotorcraft; spacecraft, including launch vehicles and satellites; and military missiles and rockets.
Aerospace engineers often become experts in one or more related fields: aerodynamics, thermodynamics, materials, celestial mechanics, flight mechanics, propulsion, acoustics, and guidance and control systems.
Chemical Engineer-
From the development of smaller, faster computer chips to innovations in recycling, treating disease, cleaning water, and generating energy, the processes and products that chemical engineers have helped create touch every aspect of our lives. Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, microelectronics, electronic and advanced materials, polymers, business services, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others. Within these industries, chemical engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science—particularly chemistry— to overcome technical problems safely and economically. And, of course, they draw upon and apply their engineering knowledge to solve any technical challenges they encounter. chemical engineers improve food processing techniques, and methods of producing fertilizers, to increase the quantity and quality of available food. They also construct the synthetic fibers that make our clothes more comfortable and water resistant; they develop methods to mass-produce drugs, making them more affordable; and they create safer, more efficient methods of refining petroleum products, making energy and chemical sources more productive and cost effective. Chemical engineers also develop solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control and remediation. A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering is required to work in this position. Some programs may have internship programs that can help you gain a competitive advantage for applying to jobs
Materials Engineer- A materials engineer works with existing parts such as metal and plastics to create other materials helpful for engineers to work with. The materials they create can produce medical equipment, propellers on an aircraft, a baseball bat, etc. They can use a computer to mass-produce materials, estimate the cost of the new product and create reports about the impact it has on a relevant industry. materials engineer process, test, and develop materials used to make a large variety of products such as aircraft wings, computer chips, biomedical devices, or even golf clubs. They study and evaluate the structures and properties of metal, composites, ceramics, plastics, and nanomaterials to create new materials that can meet the particular chemical, electrical, and mechanical requirements. A materials engineer must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering and materials science or obtain a degree in a similar field. These programs should include classroom and laboratory work with an emphasis on engineering principles.
Biomedical Engineer- The field of biomedical engineering narrows its focus to innovating advances that improve human health and health care at all levels. There is an increasing demand for biomedical engineers, due largely because of the general shift towards the everyday use of machinery and technology in all aspects of life. By closing the gap between engineering and medicine (combining design and problem-solving skills with medical biological sciences), this field of work attempts to advance both diagnostic and therapeutic health care treatment. A biomedical engineer spends time researching and developing materials that can be used to assist patients like artificial organs. They log information on behavioral patterns to find out reactions resulting from human behavior, which can be shared in an academic setting or through consulting. Also included under the umbrella of biomedical engineer is the keeping of current medical equipment in hospitals within current industry standards. This may include periodic testing, maintenance, new equipment recommendations and acquisitions, and even equipment disposal.
Nuclear Engineering-
A nuclear engineer researches and develops the processes, instruments, and systems used to get benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Many of these engineers find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials—for example, in equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment. Nuclear engineers are also on the forefront of developing uses of nuclear material for medical imaging devices, such as positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. They also may develop or design cyclotrons that produce a high-energy beam that the healthcare industry uses to treat cancerous tumors.
Environmental engineer
An environmental engineer is someone who uses the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and control of water and air pollution. Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies in which they evaluate the significance of the hazard and advise on treating and containing it. They also design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems and research the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers in government develop regulations to prevent mishaps. Some environmental engineers study ways to minimize the effects of acid rain, global warming, automobile emissions, and ozone depletion. They also collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, and other specialists, such as experts in law and business, to address environmental problems and sustainability.
When designing facilities and processes for treating wastewater and other pollution, environmental engineers strive to solve several issues at once, from workers’ safety to environmental protection. They must be able to identify and anticipate problems to prevent losses for their employers, safeguard workers’ health, and mitigate environmental damage. Environmental engineers often work with business people, lawyers, and other professionals outside their field. They often are required to read and understand documents that are outside their scope of training. Environmental engineers sometimes have to design systems that will be part of larger ones. They must be able to foresee how the proposed designs will interact with other components in the process, including the workers, machinery, equipment, or the environment.
Environmental engineers must be able to work with others toward a common goal. They usually work with engineers and scientists who design other systems and with the technicians and mechanics who put the designs into practice. As beginning engineers gain knowledge and experience, they move on to more difficult projects, and they have greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Eventually, environmental engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some may even become engineering managers or move into executive positions, such as program managers. However, before assuming a managerial position, an engineer usually works under the supervision of a more experienced engineer.
Data Engineer-
Data engineers set up and maintain the data infrastructures that support business information systems and applications. They might work with something small, like a relational database for a mom-and-pop business—or something big, like a petabyte-scale data lake for a Fortune 500 company. As a part of their responsibilities, data engineers design, build, and implement the data systems that fuel machine learning and AI analytics. They also develop information processes for data acquisition, data transformation, data migration, data verification, data modeling, and data mining. Data engineers create data pipelines that connect data from one system to another, and they transform data from one format to another. That way, different data systems can communicate so the data scientist can pull the analytical insights.