Millennial/Gen Z Report 2024

How Millennial and Gen Z Engineers Differ from Their Seasoned Peers

Discover what drives their decisions, challenges, and engagement in today's engineering landscape. Based on a global survey of 1,000+ electrical engineers.

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Research at a Glance

1000+

Engineers Surveyed

Global quantitative study across multiple regions and industries

45%

Currently Using AI

Nearly half of younger engineers already integrate AI into their workflows

57%

Have ≤14 Years Experience

Millennial/Z engineers are quickly becoming the industry's dominant voice

75%

Will Comprise Global Workforce by 2025

This generation is no longer "next gen"—they're the now generation

Key Research Findings

Digital-First Approach

Digital-First Approach

Millennial/Z engineers bypass traditional search in favor of direct manufacturer websites and community-driven platforms, requiring modernized digital strategies from suppliers.

Cross-Functional Expertise

Cross-Functional Expertise

Younger engineers show greater diversity across roles with notable representation in mechanical, mechatronics, and software engineering, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to modern engineering challenges.

AI Integration Leaders

AI Integration Leaders

45% of Millennial/Z engineers currently use AI tools compared to just 21% of Career Pros, applying it across conceptual design, prototyping, and validation phases to drive innovation.

Collaborative Decision Making

Collaborative Decision Making

Less likely to be sole decision-makers, Millennial/Zs rely more on team-based decisions and are significantly more open to supplier engagement during the design process.

Collaborative Decision Making

Brand Loyalty Matters

4x more likely to cite brand loyalty as a decision factor, and more influenced by company reputation and image than their senior counterparts when selecting components.

Collaborative Decision Making

Emerging Industry Focus

More likely to work in utilities, energy, and diverse manufacturing sectors, driving modernization and sustainability initiatives across traditional industries.

What You'll Learn

This comprehensive report reveals how Millennial and Gen Z engineers are reshaping the electronics industry. You'll discover:

01

Behavioral Differences

How younger engineers research, evaluate, and purchase components differently than experienced professionals

02

Technology Adoption

Why this generation leads in AI integration and what tools they're using across the design cycle

03

Content Preferences

What types of information they value and how they consume technical content

04

Purchasing Patterns

How their collaborative approach to decision-making impacts supplier relationships

05

Industry Trends

Which sectors are attracting younger talent and driving innovation

06

Marketing Implications

Actionable strategies to effectively reach and engage this influential demographic

Research Methodology

Stacked pages of a demographics report showing data on company size, years of experience, and region with charts and text.

This comprehensive study surveyed over 1,000 electrical engineers globally, with responses primarily from North America (42%), Europe (19%), and emerging regions including India and APAC. The research provides data-backed insights into the changing guard of engineering professionals and their impact on supplier selection, product design, and purchasing behavior.

Two tablets and a laptop displaying various charts and graphs about engineering challenges and data analysis.

The study compares engineers with 14 or fewer years of experience (Millennial/Z) against Career Pros with 15+ years of experience, revealing significant generational shifts in how engineers approach their work, consume information, and make purchasing decisions.

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