Engineering careers are not what they used to be. For decades, engineering followed a predictable path; graduates joined large corporations, worked on incremental innovations, and climbed the career ladder in well-defined industries. Fast-forward to today, and a new player has entered the scene: deep tech startups. These companies are not just optimizing existing technologies but building the future from the ground up.
So, what does this mean for today’s engineering students and professionals? It means more opportunities, more challenges, and an entirely new way of thinking about an engineering career.
The Rise of Deep Tech: What’s Driving the Shift?
Deep tech is different from conventional tech startups. Instead of focusing on software-based solutions or consumer apps, these companies invest in science-driven breakthroughs that take years of research and significant technological advancements.
The Industries Leading the Deep Tech Movement
Quantum Computing: Revolutionizing Power
Quantum computing is now a reality, with companies pushing the limits of computation, solving problems beyond classical computing. Engineers in this field work on quantum algorithms, hardware, and cryptography.
Synthetic Biology: Reengineering Life
Engineers are now shaping biotechnology by designing genetically modified organisms and sustainable materials, transforming healthcare, agriculture, and more.
AI & Robotics: Shaping the Future
AI and robotics are advancing rapidly, and engineers focusing on machine learning and automation have become essential to developing more brilliant, adaptive technologies.
ESILV Engineering School in Paris actively collaborates with various startup tech companies, fostering innovation and providing students with real-world applications of their studies. Some notable examples:
Skriver 3D
Founded by ESILV student Alexandre, Skriver 3D specializes in 3D applications for business innovation. Their notable product, Caligo, is a 3D anti-fog nose clip. The company exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit nurtured at ESILV.
Freckly
Freckly, an AI-based diagnostic tool developed by ESILV students, was among the winners at the Devinci Startup Day. This project highlights the school’s commitment to integrating AI in healthcare solutions.
Devinci Startup
An accelerator program within De Vinci Higher Education, Devinci Startup supports student entrepreneurs from EMLV, ESILV and IIM, in transforming their ideas into viable businesses.
What Engineers Need to Succeed in Deep Tech
Unlike traditional engineering careers, deep tech careers demand unique skills. Engineers must be comfortable with uncertainty, open to interdisciplinary collaboration, and willing to fail and learn quickly.
Strong Fundamentals in Science & Engineering
Deep tech startups operate at the cutting edge of science, meaning engineers must have a solid grasp of physics, materials science, biology, or computer science—depending on their field.
Computational & AI Literacy
Even for engineers outside the AI field, understanding data science, machine learning, and coding is becoming essential. Simulation, modeling, and computational problem-solving are crucial tools in many deep tech disciplines.
Adaptability & Cross-Disciplinary Thinking
A quantum computing startup may require expertise in physics, electrical engineering, and software development, while a synthetic biology company may need biologists, chemical engineers, and AI experts working together.
Entrepreneurial Mindset & Problem-Solving Ability
Deep tech startups often face unpredictable challenges, unlike corporate engineering roles that have clear guidelines. Engineers must be proactive, comfortable with ambiguity, and willing to experiment and iterate quickly.
Why Engineers Should Consider Deep Tech Careers
For engineers who want more than just a traditional job, deep tech offers:
- Meaningful Work: Solving some of the world’s most pressing problems
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Working on innovations years ahead of their time
- Career Growth: Rapid learning and exposure to multiple disciplines
- Equity & Ownership: Potential financial rewards if a startup succeeds
While deep tech is not for the faint of heart, it is undoubtedly one of engineers’ most fulfilling and future-proof career paths today. Startups offer unprecedented opportunities for those willing to embrace uncertainty, challenge the status quo, and drive real-world impact.
Engineers today have a choice: follow a traditional career path or dive into the unknown and help shape the next technological revolution.