If your child has shown any interest in engineering lately, you've probably wondered the same thing most parents do: is this still a smart path, or is AI about to hollow it out?

It's a fair thing to wonder. AI tools are writing code, designing components, and running simulations. If you're a parent helping a teenager think about their future, the noise can feel overwhelming.

Here's the honest answer: engineering is not just surviving the AI era — in most specialisations, it's accelerating.

The numbers first

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in architecture and engineering occupations will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2033, with around 186,500 new openings per year — a combination of growth and replacing a retiring workforce (BLS, 2024–34 Projections).

The median annual wage for engineers was $97,310 in 2024 — nearly double the median wage across all occupations. And for engineers who work with AI directly, the numbers are in a different league entirely: AI engineer roles surged 143% in 2025, with average salaries reaching $206,000 (Metaintro / BLS data, 2026).

This is not a profession in decline.

What AI is actually changing

It's worth being precise here, because not all engineering work is affected equally.

AI tools are genuinely good at automating the routine end of engineering: generating boilerplate code, running standard simulations, flagging errors in documentation. The BLS has noted a 27.5% decline in traditional programmer roles between 2023 and 2025, as AI handles tasks that once required junior-level human hours.

That's a real shift. But it's not the whole story.

What's growing — fast — is demand for engineers who can work with AI: evaluating its outputs, knowing when to trust it, and applying it to problems that require human judgement. According to the Dice Tech Job Report, AI and ML roles grew from 10% to 50% of all tech job postings between 2023 and 2025.

The engineers struggling right now are those who only ever did the work AI can now replicate. The ones thriving are using AI to move faster — and focusing their energy on the parts of the job that still require a human.

The specialisations with the strongest outlook

Not all engineering paths are equal right now. The fields seeing the sharpest demand, according to Deloitte's Engineering & Construction Outlook (2026), include:

Electrical and energy engineering — grid modernisation, renewables, and EV infrastructure are driving massive hiring
Software and AI/ML engineering — demand is outpacing supply in most markets
Biomedical engineering — healthcare technology investment is accelerating
Civil and structural engineering — infrastructure investment remains strong across North America

Aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing are also experiencing shortages that are projected to deepen as the current workforce retires (Automation Alley, 2025).

What your child actually needs to build now

The skills that matter most for engineers entering the workforce in the next decade have shifted. Technical foundations — maths, physics, computational thinking — are still essential. But employers are increasingly looking for something else alongside them:

The ability to evaluate AI-generated work critically
Systems thinking: understanding how everything connects
Communication: explaining technical decisions to non-technical people
Judgement under uncertainty

None of that starts at university. It starts with the kid who takes things apart to see how they work, who asks why before how, and who isn't satisfied with the first answer.

If that sounds like your child, engineering has one of the most robust futures of any career in an AI-shaped world. The path looks a little different than it did a generation ago — but the destination is stronger than ever.

Want to know which engineering path fits your child best?

MyCraft AI generates a personalised career report based on your child's interests, strengths, and age — including which engineering specialisations suit them and what to start building now.

Get your child's free report →

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–34 Employment Projections, February 2025 Monthly Labor Review); Metaintro AI Engineering Careers Report, January 2026; Deloitte Engineering & Construction Outlook 2026; Dice Tech Job Report 2025; Automation Alley Engineering Workforce Trends 2026.

Want to know which career path fits your child best? Get a personalised report →