The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century brought about a massive transformation in the socioeconomic paradigm of the time and marked a turning point in Western history. Similarly, the so-called Industry 4.0 is bringing about vast and profound changes in society as we know it and it seems destined to be remembered as a milestone in the history books for years to come.
The workplace, far from remaining on the sidelines, is being increasingly influenced by this period of renewal in the way we understand the industry and the exchange of goods and services. Among all the factors at play, we could point to the relentless advances in technology as one of the main drivers of this transformation. Indeed, there is no doubt that new technological tools are opening up immense possibilities for the process optimization in various work settings, especially those with a more technical focus.
This is why the engineering sector has been directly impacted by Industry 4.0. Also known as The Fourth Industrial Revolution is changing the way companies work, the tools they use, and the procedures they follow. Therefore, this is the perfect time for engineering professionals to hone their skills and knowledge to adapt to the current career opportunities in the sector.
Next, we'll tell you about the career opportunities that Industry 4.0 offers technical professionals.
Smart Infrastructure: Smart Cities
When we think about career opportunities for engineers in the new era of technology, smart infrastructure is undoubtedly one of the first fields that comes to mind.
The the need to improve the sustainability and energy efficiency of infrastructure Existing and newly constructed buildings are a constant factor across all countries around the world in efforts to preserve the environment. Likewise, other areas such as traffic regulation and mobility also play a significant role in this regard. Cities such as Mexico City, Bogotá, Santiago, Chile, or Buenos Aires They are leading the way in Latin America in this regard, but it is only a matter of time before smaller cities also implement measures in this area.
The Civil engineers play a major role in light of this situation, since they are responsible for the design, management, and maintenance of this type of infrastructure. In addition, they are also responsible for the development of new applications technological solutions that optimize energy, environmental, and economic costs in the maintenance, management, and decommissioning of these facilities.
Big Data
Without a doubt, another prime example of a 4.0 career path for engineers is the field of data processing. The analytical and logical-mathematical skills These professionals are highly valued in the Big Data field, which is constantly seeking engineers to meet its staffing needs. In fact, the role of a data engineer It is considered one of the degree programs with the best career prospects in all the rankings. The situation in Europe, for example, is very representative of what is happening in the rest of the world, since there is a need for no more and no less than 700,000 technical professionals to fill positions of this type today.
BIM Methodology
Beyond being merely a part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the BIM methodology is bringing about a a true revolution in and of itself. Its use in infrastructure design is already It is widespread throughout Europe and Oceania, much of Asia, and North America, and is just beginning to take hold in Latin America.
BIM brings with it major advantages during the design and maintenance phases of an infrastructure and, in combination with technologies such as Augmented Reality, provides powerful tools for pre-construction management. It is now possible, for example, to, take a walk through the countryside of a building that It has not yet been built o detect incompatibilities among the various phases of a highway project without having to start construction.
Against this backdrop, three new professional roles are emerging that will undoubtedly play a significant role in the sector’s present and future: the BIM Modeler, BIM Coordinator, and BIM Manager, all of whom are engineers with expertise in this methodology and its applications. If you’d like to learn a little more about these new roles, check out our post “What Is a BIM Manager? 10 Reasons Why This Is a Career with a Future.”.
The world is changing, and we engineers have a vital role to play in this transformation. Get started and don't miss out on the great opportunities that Industry 4.0 brings to engineering professionals.
