CAREER FOCUS
PIVOTING TO A NEW INDUSTRY
Mechanical engineers are uniquely positioned to shift into fast-growing sectors.
Written by Robin L. Flanigan
Photo: Getty
MAYBE WORK THAT ONCE FELT EXCITING now feels stale. Perhaps new engineering trends make you wonder whether it’s time to try something new.
Whatever the reason for considering an occupational tune-up, switching industries—while a potentially intimidating move—can be a good way to go.
Many Options
“Many times, as engineers, we can be very myopic,” said Alex Isidro, a mechanical engineer and online entrepreneur based in Fairfax, Va. “We can get caught up in the details of the technical work we do and undermine our own value. But we need to expose ourselves to new adventures, to see what else is out there.”
While fundamentals such as systems thinking, CAD, and analytics apply to most every industry, the demand for mechanical engineers is heating up in robotics and automation, renewable and green energy, smart materials, and other emerging sectors.
That means there are lots of opportunities to pivot.
Especially for mechanical engineers at the start of their careers, when their knowledge is less specialized, the field is wide open. Mid-career industry changes may be a bit more challenging, although a course, certification, or months of training may be all that’s required to be qualified and competitive.
The options are almost endless, Isidro said. “Like factory settings, the mechanical engineering degree coursework gives insight into many different fields,” he said. “It’s an advantage—and it’s up to you, given that background, to make the transition seamlessly.”
The “2025 Engineering Labour Report” by U.K.-based Murray McIntosh, an engineering and manufacturing recruitment company, shows that 40 percent of engineers are considering working outside their current sector.
Evan Kawamura, a mechanical engineer who made the leap from nuclear engineering to aerospace in California’s Silicon Valley, shared his main piece of advice for making the most of a sector switch: Realize that successfully shifting to a different industry has little to do with technical expertise.
“It all comes down to the company’s culture and your ability to integrate into it, like a puzzle piece snapping effortlessly together with the other pieces,” he said.
Kawamura worked as an intern alongside nuclear engineers on submarines before transitioning to an aerospace engineering internship related to his graduate studies.
Take Advantage of Need
“Most people were in a constant mode of innovation, creativity, exploration, wonder, deep thought, critical thinking, and coming up with new ideas and solutions that never existed before,” he said. “It was very exhilarating… to have the same mindset and drive.”
Isidro said he started by thinking of himself as a business and then marketing himself. “The best time to look for a job is when you have a job,” he said. “That way, when an opportunity comes up, you can act from a place of confidence and clarity, and not desperation.”
It helps that most in-demand industries these days are actively recruiting engineers.
“When you put yourself out there, recruiters will reach out to you,” Isidro continued. “Then once you actually do need a job, let’s say down the road, now you have people you can reach out to directly. You’re establishing your network when you don’t need it, so that it’s there when you do.”
But first, be sure to tailor your resume to the industry you want to enter. Isidro suggested feeding your skills, along with a description of your desired job, into an artificial intelligence tool.
“AI will help you build a bridge from where you are to where you want to go,” Isidro said. “Not only is it going to give you new insight, it’s also going to boost your confidence.”
That confidence can help convey both competence and self-respect. Besides, employers can sniff out hesitation—and who wants to bring that sign of self-doubt on board?
“Going into a new industry where people don’t know you can be nerve-wracking, but remember, don’t undermine yourself,” Isidro said.
Kawamura agreed but emphasized the importance of focusing on the bigger picture—the company culture.
“Your technical skills and expertise get your feet wet, but immersing yourself in the company culture is what allows you to dive in and have the full-body experience that leads to success and seamless integration,” he said. “Without that cultural immersion, you can stay stuck on the surface—making it harder to truly thrive and grow in your new role.”
Robin L. Flanigan is an independent writer in Rochester, N.Y.
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