As the world settles into a new normal characterized by fewer interactions, strategic socialization, and a high concern for health and safety, we have had to quickly adapt to new habits in every sphere of our lives. We will discuss Remote Engineering Jobs here. The workplace is no exception, and in this regard, the concept of remote work has taken flight, becoming more popular within the working community while eliminating doubts of whether it can produce the same results as conventional work systems.
Engineering is one of the most diverse lines of work out there. As such, the opportunities for remote engineering work are increasing, where engineers can work effectively from the workspace of their choice, as long as they have the proper tools as dictated by their specific field. This style of work still affords similar benefits as in-person work. If engineers align themselves with the right companies and/or organizations, they are likely to attain quality employment with a positive remote working experience that provides them with needed fulfillment.
Understanding Remote Work – Remote Engineering Jobs
As with any other undertaking, it is important to fully understand whether or not it is in line with your personality, lifestyle, or any other factors that ultimately affect the quality of your life. Remote working usually has an independent work structure, where you control how you carry out your work. Exciting? Sure is, especially when you think about all the merits of it!
- Flexibility: You can work whenever, wherever, and however you want, as it works best for you at any particular point in time. Fewer restrictions gift you the freedom you require to accomplish your tasks in an ideal way you can conceive.
- Unlimited Opportunities: Remote work lifts some of the major boundaries that may have come as a challenge in accessing better employment opportunities. Whereas conventional work systems would demand proximity to the place of work, working remotely can have you and your boss on different continents and your colleagues in different time zones without negatively impacting your work relationships. Now you don’t have to shelve jobs that you’re perfect for, simply because you would have to take two flights, a train, and a horse ride, to get to work.
- Enhanced Productivity: The ability to plan your day and work around your energy levels can see you achieve higher productivity, given that you are intentional about your time and are not ‘forced’ to undertake activities when you are genuinely not up to it.
- Customization: Each one of us can probably accurately describe our dream work environment, from the aesthetics to the ambiance to the location, and remote work avails the opportunity to create your own home office from scratch, which caters to all your tastes. This could inspire confidence and possibly act as a motivation factor and make you eager to work daily.
- Savings: You often have to allocate funds for the necessary commutes to and from your office, and if you work a little farther from home, these funds can amount to almost unrealistic levels. Your daily ten o’clock coffee and lunch sandwich don’t really make the situation better. Before you know it, a significant chunk of your earnings is gone, impairing whatever financial goals you may have set for yourself. Imagine not having to pay for any of that! I’ll let you do the math.
- Better Mental Health: If all the above factors work for you as they should, then this could notably reduce your work-related stress levels or anxiety. The knowledge that you can control certain factors by working remotely that you previously couldn’t be a source of calm and comfort. Overall, your mental health could greatly improve, allowing you longevity in your career.
While remote work has undeniable pros, it is important to note that it comes with a different work culture you may want to consider before deciding. Remote work is often isolated, with less physical and in-person interactions, which may come as bad news to a social Susan or Sam. It also requires extreme self-drive, with little to no supervision on a results-based basis. You will have to master a work-life balance and clearly define the two to prevent yourself from being underproductive or otherwise working yourself to death. That said, if these matters don’t phase you, then gear up. You are ready to dive into the world of remote work!
Engineers can’t work remotely, right?
Wrong. Rapidly changing times means that most industries, even the oldest and most established, such as engineering, have had to evolve to keep up. Remote work isn’t a passing trend, rather a permanent way of life and is therefore being assimilated into the engineering space. Multiple specializations are now offering opportunities for competent engineers to work remotely. If we can get a little bit more specific, here are six options that might work for you:
Concerned with creating software systems, their maintenance, and their updates, software engineering is considered one of the most in-demand engineering fields, which is likely when you realize just how important efficient software is in the current technological age. As a software engineer, you would require little more than a stable internet connection and a computer with the appropriate specifications to do what is required of you.
- Environmental Engineering
With climate change already firmly in our midst, environmental engineering could not be any more urgent or relevant. Implementing sustainable habits into our daily activities to protect the environment for ourselves and those who will come after us is a little harder than it sounds. You focus on the complex task of executing sustainability for the benefit of mankind, and this involves intensive strategy, research, and iteration. For the most part, you can do this remotely, producing applicable ideas, strategies, and assessments for environmental management.
- Computer Engineering
If you are a computer enthusiast, this was made for you and vice versa. Your days will be spent trying to make computers even better and more efficient than they already are. You may need a little bit more workspace to configure your hardware and test your ideas. Regardless, this field still offers flexibility, and as long as you can report back with good news to your superiors when called upon, you should enjoy the perks of remote work.
- Microelectronic Engineering
Born from electronic engineering, the name ‘micro’ describes the development and manufacture of smaller electrical devices. This is beneficial when regarding space as a resource. You can convert spaces with small square footage into effective work ‘labs.’ Provided you have the tools to create your micro-electrical components. You can successfully work from your haven of choice.
- Systems Engineering
To put it simply, system engineers design, build and oversee systems in various industries to ensure the most efficient and wholesome processes produce optimum results. Additionally, as a system engineer, you must provide in-depth analysis and assessment of these systems and make recommendations on their improvement. The beauty of this field is that it is multidisciplinary, so whether it’s healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, supply, and whatnot, you offer value. You can largely carry out your work remotely, granted you must obtain reliable data or information to do so.
- Architectural Engineering
Architecture has always been closely intertwined with engineering, and by some, is regarded as part of the engineering family. Imagine the structure in your mind, then use your artistic gift to make it tangible on paper or computer-aided design software. You then back up your art with science, making sure that your design structures are sustainable, durable, and efficient, with sound economic, technical, and social considerations. Truthfully, as the project’s implementation takes off, you will take on a supervisory role that calls for your presence. Still, the conception, planning, and design stages aren’t as physically demanding, and your home sanctuary should work just fine.
Something that may pique your interest is that remote engineering jobs can also exist in hybrid forms if you like the idea of the best of both worlds. Fields such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, and materials engineering demand conventional work systems to fulfill their objectives. However, back-end activities such as research, conceptualization, and design could be done remotely if structured properly.
I’m in. So where do I start?
Job sites and mobile apps such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are arguably the most valuable resources when searching specifically for remote engineering work opportunities because they are designed to adapt to modern employment trends and practices. Their job descriptions give you a feel of what to expect should you be taken on, which is important in assessing how remote the job is and whether or not it would be a right fit. Consequently, they act as great filters, allowing you to pursue only what you feel is worth your time.
You’re all set!
At this point, you should have a deeper insight into the realm of remote work, in both a general scope but also specifically as an aspiring or established engineer. You’ve also thought long and hard about the pros and cons of remote working and weighed them as they fit into your personal lifestyle. Hopefully, this has guided you to decide on whether or not it is a viable choice for you and, if so, the multiple opportunities that lie in wait for you. Just remember that remote working is a transition like any other, so be patient with yourself as you settle in. Take the time to carve out sustainable routines that will heighten your remote engineering work experience.
Also read Top Engineering Managers Interview Questions in 2021