Jobs of the Future: Where Hardware Meets Software

The U.S. is building again, creating opportunities in robotics, manufacturing, and defense.

Erin Price-Wright, General Partner at a16z, explores how AI and autonomy are reshaping the workforce, driving demand for full-stack engineers fluent in hardware and software, and creating new jobs like robot teleoperation and semiconductor manufacturing. Erin explains why now is the time to invest in building supply chains and talent pipelines domestically—and how this shift could transform the U.S. economy.

Timecodes:
00:00: The New Hardware Economy
01:06: Shift from Software to Hardware Engineering
02:03: The In Demand Jobs
02:58: Training the Next Generation of Engineers
04:12: Emerging Job Roles in Robotics and Teleoperation
05:03: Reshoring and Industrial Sector Opportunities
07:19: The Need for Full Stack Hardware Engineers
08:56: Inspiring the Future Workforce
10:38: Building the Future of Manufacturing

Resources:

Stay Updated:

[andreadiaz]

I completely agree. I spent over 7 years at SAP and AWS, and left AWS to develop end-to-end hardware and software solutions. Many companies face significant challenges with the hardware aspect, which is becoming an increasingly critical need. I founded a startup (Cosito sensors) to help companies implement sensor applications in minutes, not years.

[DmitryEsaulov]

Translation: companies want a wizard who can replace several employees. Who would have guessed

[jaehongpark]

SW + HW Full Stack Engineer?
Is this an idea to squeeze engineers dry while expecting them to do everything?
Tasks that need specialization should be divided appropriately.

Do you expect a full-stack baker who grows their own wheat while simultaneously baking baguettes?

[aiyamenkhueljerry]

Engineering has always been 70% Hardware and 30% software. Software runs on hardware, However over the years software has made. significant progress, hence the need for hardware to catch up, which translates to the increasing demand for hardware Engineers. A full stack Engineer has an Edge because they have vast knowledge of both parts, which makes them more relevant.

[payamism]

LOL, I did electrical engineering back in the 2000s, and worked for a few years. Eventually, switched to software for more rewarding jobs. Now, they want the hardware back! America is always about the next quarter thinking rather than decades and long-term thinking.

[robrita]

That's me!! a full-stack engineer! I started my career designing integrated circuits and pcbs for 5 years.. then moved to high paying software engineering role and doing ai engineering and enterprise architecture design 😅😅😅

[ahrenadams]

I think apprenticeships are another valuable avenue. We need to give as many young minds the tools to go out and change the world for the better

[sitrakaforler]

Timestamps (Powered by SitrakAI)
00:04 - Job opportunities are expanding in hardware-focused roles, reducing the necessity for degrees.
01:36 - Demand surges for skills blending software and hardware engineering.
03:02 - New engineers bridging hardware and software are essential for future job markets.
04:28 - Robotic teleoperation creates new job opportunities without requiring a four-year degree.
05:46 - Heavy industries face labor shortages as automation rises and experienced workers retire.
07:12 - Demand is rising for full stack hardware engineers across various industries.
08:43 - The market drives innovation for hardware-software integration careers.
10:24 - Building a US-centric supply chain for robotics and manufacturing is crucial.

[mfgeek]

It can take years to acquire all of these skills, and you gain experience through many successes and failures. Unfortunately people who have this kind of experience tend to be older, and when you walk in the door with a few grey hairs you immediately get rejected. Most companies want good good cheap cheap.

[pegion]

Used to be a robotic simulation engineer years back. Yes work was interesting etc. But I moved to data analytics after looking at how these companies never paid employees well unless you move to management roles.

[millertime]

I appreciate the guidance but I’m skeptical about anything that is supposedly going to be in demand. It seems like the only thing someone can get hired to do is what they did in their most recent position.

[danielgrayling]

I've spent my career moving electrons and photons around. I've never moved any atoms, I want to move atoms.

[patelreddy]

This is close to heart. I have let go of a career switch into a high-paying software jobs, instead still keeping one feet on hardware and other on firmware/software!

[SamirMishra]

So they want a cheap young engineer who has 100 yeras experience. Basically reduce cost. Hardware is os such a vague term. What do you mean exactly?

[xBerto]

I’m a software dev just learned embedded and worked for the only company designing, manufacturing and assembling here in the USA. 3DR drone autopilots. So…. I love this chat but point me to these jobs please haha

[dmitri]

The explanation is simple. Investors and venture capitalists feared hardware products investment because of its steep climb and high failure rate. They invested more in software then. But now, that AI is here to tackle the software aspect, investors are now taking a second look at hardware

[whjmsvw]

Oh weird, that's called Embedded Systems Engineering, not full stack engineering. And thankfully I am already over 10 years in this niche.

[corpuzone]

It’s reality since the hardware component is still vital not just the software engineering part. I already possess years of IT support experience and currently studying software development for a hopeful career pivot. Knowing the ins and outs of computer hardware/software gives one the advantage whenever IT issues arise to save time.

[doughayden]

Erin is 100 percent bang on. SAIT in Calgary has one of the most advanced Materials and Robotics labs in North America, and has openings for students in its Advanced Manufacturing & Construction Program.

[ravishekhar]

Believe or not. Hardware industries is not good paying well and not many jobs. These podcast more about how to secure future young employees for cooperate. All hardware industries are performing not well and investors are not intrested becoz it is hard and value of return minimal