Remote engineers are a growing force in the working world. Since the end of the industrial age, companies have been increasingly hiring freelancers and independent contractors to fill positions that full-time workers have traditionally filled. Remote work has become an essential part of the modern workforce. Engineers working from home, or another location allow engineers to work remotely from virtually anywhere. Working remotely can provide opportunities for workers who might not otherwise have access to a job. It can also give companies access to a pool of talent that may not have been accessible with traditional employment. Remote engineers also have their own set of challenges.

Do you need to hire a software engineer? Or how about a data engineer? Or a front-end developer for your organisation? Or a DevOps engineer? Or a quality assurance specialist? Or a mobile developer? Or maybe a test engineer? If yes, then your search for a suitable candidate will be difficult. That’s because most engineers are in high demand these days. Many electronic engineers entering the workforce or looking for remote work seek other specific benefits. Do you know what these potential employees are looking for?

Here we break down the job trends for engineers and what potential employees are looking for these days so that you can better attract the right-fit employees to your company.

Remote or Hybrid Working Options

Given the recent pandemic, many companies are anxious to get back to business as usual, with employees reporting to brick and mortar locations. In contrast, most employees express a desire for remote or hybrid work. When projects can be conducted remotely, or even if a large portion can occur remotely with the occasional site or office visits, this is highly desirable to many engineering employment candidates. Even in cases where employees must regularly report to an office, some people prefer working from home at least one day per week. Such flexibility may not be possible in all positions, but it’s likely worth exploring in most situations. As long as you can meet deadlines and produce quality results, there is little reason not to allow some flexibility.

Telecommuting has also become increasingly popular, with more companies adopting remote working policies. Many companies see telecommuting as a benefit to both employers and employees, allowing both parties to save money on transportation costs and giving employers more control over their overhead expenses. Telecommuting offers other advantages like higher productivity due to decreased distractions and higher employee morale due to reduced commuting times and less spending on gas.

No Middle Managers

While sometimes managers can be a great source of leadership, guidance, and inspiration, engineers often find themselves at odds with their managers. The main problem is that engineers that work for consultancy-type companies don’t work directly with the final client. Essentially, they are middle managed from the start to the end of the project; they don’t meet or know the client they’re working for, they lack information about the details behind their work, and they might never even know if the product goes to market. The middle managers are the ones who communicate with the client at all times.

This is not productive or agile, and can actually be a big problem in developing solutions and staying on track during a project. At TechTeamz, our engineers work directly with the final client. Our role is not to “middle manage” them, but to help them resolve their challenges and find the best solutions.

Flexibility

In line with the remote work trend, today’s employee values flexibility. Flexibility in the workplace can be a win-win situation as it allows employees to attend to their families and personal needs while still getting the work done. It can even be advantageous in today’s global society as employees may be more readily available at times or on days they previously may not have been. Particularly in today’s society, flexibility has become increasingly important to employees in nearly all career stages. Flexibility seems especially true among younger generations who seek jobs that offer flexible hours, locations, and responsibilities. These desires can lead to higher productivity levels as employees feel empowered to control how they spend their time. It also reduces stress associated with balancing multiple responsibilities within one’s life, increasing an individual’s quality of life overall.

Salary & Job Culture

Electronic engineers are among the highest in-demand professionals in many countries. But the salaries for specialised engineers vary widely across the globe – even within the same country, we see huge salary differences depending on role, project requirements, and other diverse factors. That’s why many engineers are enticed by a higher than average salary compared to local rates. This helps cut down on employee attrition and saves project downtime and risk. Learn about developer and engineering salaries by country. To find the right talent, and be able to offer that higher salary (according to their seniority, experience, and skills, of course), TechTeamz builds remote engineering teams worldwide.

That’s not to say that salary is the only factor in acquiring great employees. The culture of a workplace is important to modern-day employees. They want to work on projects they’re interested in and that inspire them. Teambuilding activities and personal development via online courses are two things also contribute to a culture of continuous learning at a job.

Well-being and Time Off

Workers nowadays are more concerned about their well-being than perhaps any other time in history. But individual wants and needs can complicate hiring in today’s labour market. The desires of an entry-level university graduate will vary from that of older professionals’ families. Employees want to connect with companies that prioritise their people and their well-being. The benefits package must fit the recipient to be attractive. Whether it’s insurance coverage or other perks, it’s essential to ensure your employees know they are cared for by you as a company and their benefits provider.

As part of that concern for well-being comes individual happiness, family and the ability to achieve personal goals, giving employees a sense of purpose. All of which require time. An attractive time-off package can help your organisation attract the most valuable talent. Paid time off gives workers a chance to recharge and refresh. Some engineers may even use this time to do personal research, bringing attention to their completed projects. For example, employees receive over 20 days of annual leave each year in Spain and many other European countries.

Furthermore, providing a comprehensive family leave policy for employees is simply showing that you care about them and their family’s well-being. Some businesses find it valuable to offer paid time off in addition to unpaid time off so that employees do not have financial stress while taking care of their families. The benefits of providing paid family leave go beyond just helping your employees through hard times. It also shows your commitment as a business owner to your employees and helps build loyalty among them.

The advantages of remote job trends for engineers go beyond vacations and time-off. Many telecommuters consider their job a big part of their life, which can benefit their family and themselves. Remote workers also say that flexible schedules and unlimited vacation time help them become better parents and spouses. Lastly, remote work allows companies to save on office space costs, cutting overhead expenses to keep hiring costs down. Companies that provide virtual opportunities tend to invest more into training employees, which leads to higher retention rates overall.

While remote work consistently falls among the top of the list of things employees want, employers must make several other considerations in hiring. How do you as an employer manage all of these hiring concerns? Let TechTeamz take the work out of it. Headquartered in Spain, we provide personnel globally. We have fully vetted remote engineers and can provide one engineer or an entire team, depending on your needs. We handle all the benefits and other HR details, allowing you to concentrate on the things that matter most.