7 in-demand skills to help electrical engineering students and early-career engineers get hired
Hiring demand for electrical engineers is high and growing. According to LinkedIn’s latest data, there are over 600,000 electrical engineers in the global workforce, yet open positions are still tough to fill. Why? Among other reasons, many candidates don’t have the right mix of technical and professional skills that employers are actively seeking.
So, what are companies actually looking for? Using hiring data from LinkedIn Talent Insights, here are seven essential skills that can help students and early-career engineers land their first role and excel once they’re hired.
Siemens’ new Expedite — Skills for Industry microcredential is designed to help students gain and verify key skills for today’s engineering workplaces. Learners can enroll now on Coursera or visit our website to learn more.
#1 Electrical wiring
Electrical wiring is one of the most common skills across electrical engineers, with over 154,000 professionals listing it on their profiles. It appears in nearly 14,000 active job postings, showing that even as industries evolve, companies still rely on engineers who understand the fundamentals.
Wiring is the foundation of every system, from power grids to industrial equipment. While considered a baseline skill, mastering wiring early gives you a practical advantage and helps you collaborate effectively with installation and maintenance teams.
#2 Electrical design
With over 31,000 open jobs requesting electrical design, this skill is in significantly higher demand than wiring or even systems design. Why? Companies need engineers who can design systems, select the right components and ensure regulatory compliance, among other tasks.
Whether you’re planning circuits or laying out full electrical infrastructures, electrical design helps you contribute at a higher level.
#3 Control systems
Control systems knowledge is exploding in demand — LinkedIn’s data on job listings shows that it has grown 69% in just the past year. As industries embrace automation, companies need engineers who can design and optimize the systems that power factories, energy grids and smart technologies.
Building control systems expertise positions you for the future, making you someone who can solve complex, real-world problems in automated environments.
#4 Commissioning & troubleshooting
Designing is one thing — making sure it works in the real world is another. That’s why skills like commissioning and troubleshooting are growing fast — up 38% this year alone. Employers value when early-career engineers can roll up their sleeves and debug a system when something’s off. These hands-on, problem-solving skills help you stand out as someone ready to work on real-world systems from day one.
#5 Systems design
Today’s problems aren’t isolated. Whether it’s electric vehicles, smart homes or industrial machinery, you’ll be working on big-picture systems that mix electrical, software and mechanical components. And the job market shows it — nearly 10,000 roles are actively looking for engineers with systems design skills. Employers need engineers who can think beyond components and see the full picture. Learning systems design helps you become that kind of engineer.
#6 Computer-aided design (CAD)
While engineers may work with a variety of more advanced tools, CAD remains a key skill in the job market. Over 110,000 engineers list it as a skill. CAD proficiency signals that you can draft clear layouts, interpret schematics and work within standardized workflows, which is essential in industries like utilities, construction and manufacturing.
#7 Communication & team collaboration
Technical knowledge alone isn’t enough. According to this study published in the Journal of Engineering Education, communication and teamwork are ranked as the two most important soft skills for engineering graduates. In industry, projects happen in teams, not in isolation.
From presenting your ideas to collaborating across departments, your ability to work with others is as valuable as your technical skills. Building collaboration and communication early on helps you stand out — not just as an engineer, but as someone employers want on their teams.
How to start building these skills
With over 67,000 open roles targeting electrical engineers right now, demand is high — but employers are selective. They’re looking for candidates who bring the right mix of technical skills and professional know-how to their teams.
That’s why Siemens created the Expedite — Skills for Industry microcredential. Designed for students and early-career professionals, this program helps you build and verify the exact skills companies are hiring for — so you’re ready to contribute from day one.
Sign up for Expedite here and start building your career.
