August 2025

Employee sentiment among engineers is complex, with job satisfaction often being a highly individual experience. Discussions on social media platforms highlight that happiness is not solely tied to a high salary. Many engineers find satisfaction from learning and being challenged, but a major source of frustration is dealing with non-technical management. The push for work-life balance is a recurring theme, with many engineers actively seeking to set boundaries and avoid the burnout they experienced in previous roles. The sentiment is that while some companies have a healthy culture, many still struggle with a "hustle culture" that can lead to working over 60 hours a week. The balance between pay and mental stimulation includes taking on multiple projects/jobs at one time. In order to remain at one company, there is a general feeling that engineers need to be proactive in finding companies that respect their personal time.

The engineering job market in the last 30 days has been a study in contrasts. On the one hand, a report from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) notes that 75% of engineering firms expect to increase hiring. The demand for engineers in specialized fields like AI, renewable energy, and software development remains strong. However, there is a clear trend of caution among employers, leading to slower hiring timelines and increased competition for roles. Recent graduates, in particular, are facing a challenging market with a significant portion of the 2024 cohort still unemployed. The broader trend is a shift towards skills-based hiring, with companies prioritizing experience and specialized expertise over traditional qualifications, which may be contributing to the struggle for entry-level professionals.