Work as an engineer in Germany ⭐ Job situation 2024 (2024)

Anyone who wants to work as an engineer in Germany continues to have very good career prospects. In the second quarter of 2022, the number of vacancies on the engineering job market continued to increase, reaching another record high of 171,300.

Results in the VDI-/IW-Ingenieurmonitor

As the new VDI/IW Engineer Monitor shows, the number of vacancies on the engineering labor market has increased by almost 50 percent compared to the second quarter of 2011. The number of vacancies in the engineering occupations of technical research and production control and in the engineering occupations of energy technology and electrical engineering has risen particularly sharply. While a total of 140,000 vacancies could not be filled in the last quarter of 2021, demand already increased to 151,300 vacancies in the first quarter of 2022.

Work as an engineer in Germany: Positive development in the long term

Looking at the development in engineering and information technology occupations in the long term, the picture for employment subject to social security contributions in the period from the end of 2012 to the end of 2021 is very encouraging. “In the computer science occupations, employment subject to social security contributions has increased by 109.3 percent, in the civil engineering occupations by 44.4 percent, and in the engineering occupations of technical research and production control, we are recording an increase of 31.6 percent,” explained Ingo Rauhut, Managing Director of the Occupation and Labor Market Advisory Board at the Association of German Engineers (VDI).

Overall, the share of employees in engineering and IT occupations among all employees subject to social insurance contributions has risen steadily from 3.3 percent at the end of 2012 to 4.1 percent at the end of 2021.

Work as an engineer in Germany: Regions with particularly high numbers of jobs

When looking at the regions, there are major differences The districts of Wolfsburg (14.6 percent), Böblingen (8.7 percent) and Ingolstadt (8.7 percent) have the highest shares of employees in engineering occupations. Erlangen (7.0 percent), Karlsruhe (4.6 percent) and Landkreis München (4.1 percent) have the highest shares of employees in information technology occupations. “While the share of employees in engineering occupations among rural counties is about half as high as in large cities, large cities have six times as high a share of employees in information technology occupations as rural counties,” Rauhut classifies the situation.

Work as an engineer in Germany: Unemployment decreased

The number of job vacancies continued to increase in the second quarter; unemployment decreased. This results in a new record value for the bottleneck ratio of vacancies per 100 unemployed persons in the second quarter of 2022. “The bottleneck ratio rises to 492 – a record value since records began in 2011,” indicates Ingo Rauhut. “If we look at the regional submarkets, the biggest bottlenecks are in the engineering professions in energy and electrical engineering in Bavaria. Here, there are almost 6,500 vacancies for every 462 unemployed people,” it continues.

In the second quarter of 2022, the number of unemployed in engineering and computer science occupations developed positively. At 34,821, unemployment was 17.9 percent below the previous year’s level of 42,402. Unemployment fell particularly sharply in other engineering occupations and in energy and electrical engineering occupations.

What does this mean for applicants from abroad?

The current VDI/IW Engineering Monitor shows once again that there are still many vacancies in Germany in the fields of information technology and engineering. German companies are having great difficulty filling these many positions with skilled workers from Germany. Therefore, applicants from abroad continue to have very good job prospects in Germany.

Modern and interdisciplinary qualifications as well as good German and English language skills continue to be in demand. Through new initiatives, the German government is also trying to facilitate the influx of qualified engineers and computer scientists from non-EU countries. This includes, among other things, the idea of the migration opportunities card of Germany.

New opportunities for international engineers through the Chancenkarte (Opportunities Card)

With the so-called Chancenkarte (Opportunities Card) there will probably be new opportunities for foreign engineers from third countries who want to settle in Germany. It is expected that this will make it possible for you to obtain a visa with which you can travel to Germany and work for companies on a trial basis.

You can introduce yourself in this way to German companies. If you like it and the employer wants to hire you, you can get an employment contract and a residence permit. This will also allow your family to join you in Germany. At the moment the details of the Chancenkarte (Opportunities Card) are still being discussed in Germany.

Internships and entry-level programs for foreign engineers in Germany

Internships and entry-level programs for foreign engineers in Germany can serve as valuable stepping stones into the German job market, providing practical experience, networking opportunities, and a better understanding of the local work culture. These programs often include hands-on training, mentoring, and language courses, which can help foreign engineers adapt to the professional environment and improve their career prospects. Many German companies, research institutions, and universities offer such opportunities, targeting both recent graduates and experienced professionals looking to work in Germany.

To find internships and entry-level programs for foreign engineers in Germany, one can explore online job portals, company websites, university career centers, and social media platforms. Some well-known programs include the International Graduate Trainee Program by Volkswagen, the Daimler Global Trainee Program, and the Siemens Graduate Program. These programs are designed to provide international engineers with comprehensive training, exposure to various business areas, and opportunities for personal and professional development, preparing them for a successful career within the company or the German engineering sector at large.

Applying for internships and entry-level programs in Germany typically requires a strong CV, a motivation letter, and relevant academic and professional qualifications. In some cases, proficiency in the German language may also be required or considered an advantage. Foreign engineers should invest time in researching potential opportunities, tailoring their applications to each program, and preparing for interviews.

Questions and answers

Regional industry clusters and technology parks in Germany

When considering to work as an engineer in Germany it can be a good start to look out for regional technology clusters to find a region with best growth chances and stability for your family life. Regional industry clusters and technology parks in Germany play a significant role in fostering innovation, economic growth, and collaboration among businesses, research institutions, and engineers.

These clusters are concentrated geographical areas that house a high density of companies, organizations, and academic institutions working together in specific industries or fields, such as automotive, renewable energy, aerospace, or information technology. By being part of these clusters, engineers can benefit from networking opportunities, access to cutting-edge research, and potential collaborations with like-minded professionals and organizations.

Some prominent examples of such industry clusters and technology parks in Germany include the Silicon Saxony in Dresden, which focuses on microelectronics and IT; the Solar Valley in Central Germany, dedicated to photovoltaics and renewable energy; and the Automotive Cluster in Baden-Württemberg, home to major automotive manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. These hubs offer engineers a dynamic environment to work in, with ample opportunities for career growth, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects in their respective fields.

Engineer networks and professional associations in Germany

If you plan your career as an engineer in Germany you might want to look out for engineer networks and professional associations in Germany.

Engineer networks and professional associations in Germany play a crucial role in supporting engineers throughout their careers by offering networking opportunities, access to industry news and trends, and opportunities for continuous professional development. These organizations bring together engineers from various disciplines and backgrounds, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual support. By joining such networks and associations, both local and foreign engineers can benefit from the collective experience and resources available within these communities.

Some well-known engineering associations in Germany include the Association of German Engineers (VDI), the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI), and the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (Bitkom). These organizations often host conferences, workshops, and seminars, providing members with opportunities to learn about new technologies, best practices, and industry developments. Additionally, they may offer exclusive job postings, career advice, and mentoring programs, which can be particularly beneficial for foreign engineers seeking to establish themselves in the German job market.

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