Highest-Paying Engineering Careers in 2024

Good Morning and welcome to this morning’s STEAM digest

In today’s edition:

• Highlights in Engineering Research & Career

• Highlights in Science & Engineering

• Highlight in STEAM Education

• STEAM Startup Companies to Watch for in 2024

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

Engineering Research

Robotic Palm Mimics Human Touch: Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a robotic palm with tactile sensors that can mimic the sensitivity and dexterity of the human hand. This breakthrough has significant implications for improving human-robotic interaction and the development of advance prosthetics.

Flexible and Bendable Energy Storage Materials: Researchers are making strides in developing bendable energy storage materials which could lead to wearable and flexible electronic devices. Imagine a smartphone that you can wear as a wristband, making the technology more adaptable and integrated into everyday life.

Biofilm-Resistant Glass for Marine Environments: Engineers have developed a new type of glass resistant to biofilm formation, which is crucial for marine environments. This innovation could extend the lifespan and performance of underwater structures and equipment by preventing microbial buildup​.

Engineering career

Biomedical Engineering’s Rapid Growth: Biomedical engineering is projected to be one of the fastest-growing engineering fields, with a growth rate of 23.1% from 2014 to 2024. This growth is driven by advancements in healthcare technology and an increasing focus on medical innovations. Biomedical engineers, who work on developing medical devices and systems, are seeing increased demand and career prospects in both research and applied fields.

Rising Salaries for Software Engineers: Salaries for software engineers continue to rise, with mid-level engineers earning an average base pay of $105,225 per year in the U.S. Senior software engineers, often taking on leadership and project management roles, see even higher salaries, averaging $134,021 per year. This trend is indicative of the high demand for skilled software developers across various industries, including fintech, gaming, and cloud computing.

Highest-Paying Engineering Careers in 2024: With unparalleled opportunities, one needs to look no further than engineering for career growth and financial success. The field of engineering remains lucrative with a robust job outlook. According to an article by University of North Dakota, 11 of the highest paying engineering jobs include computer engineering, data engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, materials engineering, nuclear engineering, aeronautical/aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, and petroleum engineering.

Highlights in Engineering & Science News

Infrastructure Upgrades in Ukraine: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded Tetra Tech a $439 million contract to enhance the resilience of Ukraine's energy grid. This effort, part of the SPARC program, focuses on rebuilding critical infrastructure amidst ongoing conflicts.

Bridge Safety Concerns: Federal investigations into the recent Baltimore bridge collapse are prompting a broader review of infrastructure safety across the U.S. The incident has highlighted deficiencies in existing safeguards and the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure assessments and improvements.

Delta Tunnel Project: California's ambitious Delta Tunnel Project, designed to improve water supply reliability, is now projected to generate $38 billion in economic benefits despite rising costs. This megaproject aims to address long-standing water management issues in the state.

Highlights in STEAM Education

The following updates reflect a broader global trend towards integrating arts with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, enhancing student engagement and preparing them for a future where interdisciplinary skills are essentials

California STEAM Initiatives: The Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation continues to promote STEAM education through various initiatives, including aligning curriculum with the Next Generation Science Standards and integrating Maker-driven learning environments. The upcoming California STEAM Symposium in February 2025 aims to further these efforts.

Bluum Introduces STEAM and Esports Solutions: Bluum, an ed-tech company, has unveiled five new customizable kits for K-12 and higher education. These kits include solutions for STEAM education, esports, and school security, demonstrating a commitment to providing comprehensive educational tools and resources.

STEAM Resources for Educators: Numerous resources are becoming avaiable for educators to incorporate STEAM learning in their classrooms. For example, in Tennessee, the STEM Innovation Network offers extensive resources, including professional development workshops and curriculum guides, to support hybrid and virtual STEAM instruction.

Global Shift Towards STEAM Education: In India, there’s a growing emphasis on STEAM Education as a paradigm shift in school curriculums. This approach aims to integrate the arts into traditional STEM subjects, fostering creativity and critical thinking among students, which is crucial for holistic development and future-readiness.

STEAM Startup Companies to Watch For in 2024:

Tome: This AI-driven storytelling and presentation tool has quickly gained traction, reaching over 10 million users. Founded by former Meta executives, Tome utilizes generative AI to enhance business presentations and was named one of Fortune’s Top 50 Innovators​.

Calendly: A popular online scheduling platform that experienced significant growth during the pandemic. With over 10 million users globally and impressive revenue growth, Calendly continues to be a key player in the productivity space.

Vibrant Planet: Focused on mitigating climate change impacts like wildfires, Vibrant Planet uses a data-driven approach with their Land Tender tool. They raised $15 million in 2023 to further their efforts in ecological restoration and climate resilience​.

Brightwheel: This SaaS-based childcare management platform helps preschools manage operations more efficiently. Since its appearance on Shark Tank, Brightwheel has grown significantly, making it a leading solution in the childcare management industry​.

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