Engineers have been said to be the movers and shakers of our contemporary world. Whatever one have chosen to specialize in, be it mechanical, civil, chemical, electrical, or any other form of engineering, the things you’ll help invent, design, and construct will become the staple diets of our global economy for many years to come.
Meanwhile, given the international structure of the industry, it may come as no surprise that more and more budding engineers are choosing to seek out engineering jobs abroad every year. Whether recently graduated or mid-career, a job in engineering abroad can be your opportunity to explore a new part of the world, immerse yourself in a new culture, and travel where your specific skill is most valued.
However, engineering is an extremely lucrative field, where demand outweighs supply in the global workforce; so unlike many other professions, you’ll have the opportunity to go anywhere in the world that most intrigues you, because odds are that engineering job opportunities will be plentiful.
Without further much emphasis, below is the list of the best countries for engineering jobs abroad:
1. Canada
Canada is an infrastructurally sound country with an advanced economy and vast access to natural resources, such as gas and lumber. It also boasts progressive environmental and social legislature, making it a great place to work for engineers who are passionate about these issues. Those looking for petroleum engineering jobs abroad or chemical engineering jobs abroad will benefit from Canada’s resource-rich economy. You will have to become licensed by a professional engineering association in Canada in order to practice, but this will be well worth it as you enter into one of the world’s most dynamic workforces.
2. New Zealand
Down in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand is also a great country to find jobs for engineers abroad. New Zealand has one of the most stable economies in the world, and is a great destination for civil engineers who want to contribute to building a safe structural environment for all to benefit from (those earthquakes have an impact, don’t ya know). New Zealand is a large country with over 4 million citizens, but it still faces an engineering deficit in its work force, meaning that jobs for engineers in New Zealand are many and varied.
Bird’s eye view of a Brazilian neighborhood
With one of the largest economies in the world still in the process of developing, Brazil is a great place for engineers to get in on the ground floor.
3. Switzerland
Neighboring Germany high up in the Alps, Switzerland can be an equally fruitful destination to seek out engineering jobs abroad. This infamously neutral country is one of the wealthiest in the world, and no small part of this stems directly from its success in innovative engineering. Scientific research and manufacturing are both vital components of the Swiss economy, so mechanical and chemical engineers would do well to look for work abroad in this peaceful European nation.
4. Germany
Crossing the Atlantic, few countries in the world have as rich a history in engineering as Germany. Widely regarded for its booming automobile and pharmaceutical industries, Germany is an extremely lucrative place to find jobs for engineers abroad, especially in the mechanical and biomedical sectors. German universities rank among the best in the world for scientific research, and this spirit of innovation carries over into its professional sectors to make it an attractive destination to look for jobs in engineering.
5. England
Though you’ll need a Tier 5 licensed company to get a paid engineering job, the extra paperwork and effort will make all the difference. Having work experience in England will be invaluable, not to mention you won’t have to worry about a language barrier. Since engineers are in reasonable demand, to continue keeping up with the Jones’ of the developing world, engineering jobs in England will surely pay a livable wage too.
6. India
Moving on to South Asia, India is perhaps the most important emerging country in today’s international landscape. With a population nearing 1.3 billion people, engineers of all different backgrounds and skillsets are valued in India to help lift this potential economic powerhouse further into the arena of global competitiveness. Whether you’re looking for a civil engineering job abroad to help build up the country’s fledgling infrastructure or a biomedical engineering job abroad developing new medicines that can benefit millions, there are no shortage of engineering jobs abroad in India for international aspirants.
7. Japan
Last on our list of best countries for engineering jobs abroad is Japan, a country that has played a leading role in global technology and industry for decades. One of the wealthiest nations in the world, Japan has about as impressive a national infrastructure as there comes, boasting a high-speed railway that connects almost the entire country with punctuality down to the minute. Mechanical, electrical, biomedical, chemical, Japan is another country where engineers of all different backgrounds can find fruitful work.
8. China
To the north, China is soon to overtake the United States as the largest economy in the world, and so it should come as no shock that a talented engineering workforce has played a huge role in its rapid development. The Chinese government invests heavily in infrastructural, scientific, and technological innovation, and is also making a sincere effort to globalize its country into a new international order. Foreign workers are valued highly in China for these reasons, and engineering jobs are plentiful in all sectors of the profession.