Electric cars require more than just engineers: here are the jobs of the future
The transition to electric vehicles is not only changing the way we travel but also the skills needed to design, produce, and manage future mobility. Batteries, software, charging systems, and smart energy management require increasingly specialized expertise, as companies must adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and industrial models.
Insight comes from the “Skills and Professions in the Automotive Sector” study conducted by Youtrend for Geely. According to the study, 50% of companies expect new job openings in software development and applications over the next three years. Sustainability and energy management follow, cited by 47% of companies, while digitalization of production processes is mentioned by 45%.
Software and energy at the heart of the transformation
The results show how digital skills are becoming increasingly important for the automotive industry. In the field of electric vehicles, software development is essential for managing vehicle functions, optimizing energy consumption, and monitoring battery performance. Energy management, on the other hand, covers a broader scope: from the efficiency of energy storage systems to integration with charging infrastructure, including smart use of electricity.
The digitization of production will also play an important role. Automotive factories are increasingly using digital tools to monitor production lines, collect data, and improve process efficiency. These transformations also affect the battery and component supply chain for electric vehicles, where automation and data control can help make production more efficient.
Geely Auto Talks, the third stop 2026 in Bari
Photo by: Geely
The search percentages, however, refer to the entire automotive sector, not just electric vehicles. They therefore do not represent a ranking of the most in-demand professions in the EV industry, but rather indicate some of the areas where companies plan to strengthen their workforce the most.
The skills challenge affects Italy as well
Alongside professional opportunities, training remains a key issue. New technologies require closer collaboration between universities, technical institutes, and companies, so that the skills developed during studies are aligned with industry needs.
The topic was also discussed in Bari, during a session of the Geely Auto Talks held at LUM University. According to the data presented there, 31% of master’s degree engineers trained in Puglia work in the Central-Northern regions, while 5% move abroad. This phenomenon highlights the difficulty of retaining some skilled professionals in the region.
Marco Santucci, managing director of Jameel Motors Italia for Geely and Zeekr, emphasized: “Future mobility requires advanced technologies and the skills to develop and manage them.” In fact, for electric mobility, the challenge lies not only in developing more efficient batteries or technologically advanced vehicles.
Marco Santucci, managing director of Jameel Motors Italia for Geely and Zeekr
Photo by: Geely
People who can design, manage, and improve these technologies are also needed. The ability to train them and provide them with professional opportunities will be one of the factors determining the competitiveness of the entire industry in the coming years.
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