Who is leading the charge into the fourth industrial revolution?

McKinsey & Company defines the fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, as the next phase in the digitization of the manufacturing sector, driven by disruptive trends including the rise of data and connectivity, analytics, human-machine interaction, and improvements in robotics.

Steam powered the first industrial revolution while the second revolution had electricity at its core.  And it’s hard to believe we find ourselves at the end of the third generation where stand-alone technologies such as robotics and programable logic controllers are the minimum technology requirements on the factory floor.  And now onto the fourth, a digitally connected manufacturing footprint.  Regardless of the revolution, one constant carried over and continues to do so.  That constant is the need for human capital and more specifically engineering.  This is the biggest challenge to companies evolving to Industry 4.0.  The most coveted talent includes those automation engineers who are either in the middle of the third industrial revolution or possess the digital and software development skillsets necessary to build out the connected factory.   

Four technologies make up the core of Industry 4.0.  They are the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing (3D printing), and advanced analytics.  The World Economic Forum has stated that the broad deployment of these technologies is the key to sustaining manufacturing as it faces significant challenges in the form of rising energy costs, tenuous supply chains, and talent shortages.  While we are in early days of the fourth industrial revolution, it is quite simple to see the accelerating need for engineering talent, not only for the vanguard of the fourth industrial revolution but for all manufacturers grappling with their current operational tactics to maintain and improve their manufacturing performance.  It does not matter if you are a global giant like Eaton, Siemens, Mitsubishi or a small thermoplastic manufacturer operating one site with 100 operators, you have engineering challenges and you need engineering talent.

So, it begins with pay and benefits as it always does.  But first, let’s define a benchmark role for an Industry 4.0 Engineer.  Based on our research, the optimal profile includes a bachelor’s degree in engineering, typically mechanical or electrical along with three years of experience directly supporting manufacturing technology in software, automation or controls.  These engineers were in school during the advent of Industry 4.0 and have the tools to implement the technologies in today’s advanced manufacturing worksites.  Back to pay, our experience at Arrowhead Talent Solutions along with our research suggests a salary of $79k to $96k along with a full suite of health, retirement and welfare benefits.  To bracket this market data further, we are seeing entry level engineers pay ranging from $70k to $85k.  We recognize there are many more details and complexities to be discussed on this topic in terms of manufacturing, technology and people.  Suffice it to say your partners at Arrowhead Talent Solutions are well equipped to assist you in your efforts to attract, engage and retain the talent you need to be successful.