Side Jobs for Engineers: 30 Lucrative Ways to Supplement Your Income

Engineering is an immensely fulfilling career that allows professionals to apply their technical skills to build innovative products and solutions. However, the regular 9-to-5 engineering job may not always provide the income boost or creative flexibility that many desire. This is where side jobs come in.

Side hustles allow engineers to earn supplemental income while also exploring alternate career avenues aligned with their interests. The spectrum of opportunities is vast – from leveraging core engineering skills to trying something entirely novel.

So if you‘re an engineer looking to amplify your earnings or channel your technical know-how into a new direction, read on as we explore over 30 lucrative side jobs tailored for you.

1. Freelance Engineering Consultant

With extensive industry knowledge and practical experience under their belt, engineers are well-poised to provide expert consulting services. As an independent consultant, you can offer your niche technical skills to assist companies in solving complex design, testing, compliance, and manufacturing issues.

The major advantage of freelance consulting is the flexibility it offers. You get to choose the projects you work on and often command premium hourly rates upwards of $100. Fields like civil engineering, chemical engineering, and software engineering have high consulting demand.

2. CAD Designer

Modern engineering design relies heavily on CAD (computer-aided design) software to create everything from consumer products to large industrial equipment. With the global CAD industry expected to reach $14 billion by 2028, the demand for qualified CAD designers and draftsmen is stronger than ever.

As a mechanical or civil engineer proficient in tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA, you can offer freelance CAD modeling services to companies on a project basis. If you have a knack for digital 3D modeling, learning CAD can equip you with an easily monetizable skill.

3. Engineering Tutor

From high school to graduate level, engineering students often need extra help grasping complex technical concepts. As an engineering tutor, you can reinforce your own understanding of core topics while getting paid.

Subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, engineering mathematics, and programming languages have high tutoring demand. You can tutor students locally or leverage platforms like Chegg to find online tutoring opportunities.

4. Patent Expert

Patent consultants and agents assist inventors and companies with navigating complex patent filing and application processes. With an engineering background and some additional legal training, you can provide invaluable services like conducting patentability searches, drafting patent claims, and preparing filing paperwork.

Patent agents charge anywhere from $75 to $350 per hour, making this a lucrative side job option for engineers seeking new challenges.

5. Blogger

Engineers are subject matter experts who can share their industry experiences, engineering insights, and DIY ideas through blogging. Technical blogging allows you to establish your thought leadership while potentially earning income through ads, affiliate marketing, ebooks, and sponsored posts.

Niche sites like ElectroSchematics help engineers create a loyal readership around their specific areas of interest such as electronics, robotics, or green energy. Consistency is key to growing an audience and monetizing a blog.

6. YouTuber

Similar to blogging, YouTube offers engineers a platform to share educational engineering content through videos while earning ad revenue. Channels focusing on electronics teardowns, machine tutorials, coding lessons, and simple experiments tend to gain significant traction.

Although YouTube ad earnings are relatively modest initially, engineers can supplement by offering value-added services like one-to-one troubleshooting sessions, paid channel memberships, and branded merchandise.

7. Sell Online Courses

Online learning platforms have created new opportunities for engineers to share their technical knowledge through pre-recorded video courses. As the creator, you can earn passive income each time a student enrolls in your class.

Sites like Udemy, Skillshare, and edX make it easy to build an audience and sell courses related to programming, engineering tools, construction, product design, and more. However, creating an online course requires significant upfront effort.

8. App Developer

Engineers with software proficiency can leverage their skills to build mobile or web apps solving specific consumer problems. You can then earn income via app store downloads, in-app purchases, and ads.

Focus on apps that provide utility value around areas like time tracking, budgeting, productivity, photo editing, and more. Leverage app builder platforms like Appy Pie or AppInventiv to streamline development.

9. DIY YouTuber

Combine your love for hands-on building with videography skills to create a profitable YouTube channel focused on do-it-yourself engineering projects. Channels like EpicTech create videos around arduino gadgets, CNC machines, robotics builds, and electronics teardowns.

Besides ad revenues, prominent DIY YouTubers also sell branded tools, customized products, and offer one-on-one project consulting to their loyal followers.

10. Dropshipping Store Owner

Leverage the power of ecommerce to sell engineering tools and products without dealing with inventory or shipping. As the owner, you would focus on site marketing while orders are automatically forwarded to your supplier for fulfillment.

Focus on niche items tailored to electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, or hobbyists. Use platforms like Shopify and Oberlo to quickly launch your own dropshipping store. Effective digital marketing will be key to scaling.

11. Resume Writer

As an engineer, you understand what recruiters look for in an engineering resume. Offer your technical expertise combined with writing skills to create professional resumes optimized for each customer to land engineering roles.

Set up profiles on sites like Fiverr and SolidGigs to gain visibility. For $100 to $250 per resume, this can become quite a lucrative gig in high demand.

12. Technical Writer

Equipment manuals, research papers, clinical trial reports, and electronic component guides all require precise technical writing skills with an engineering mindset. Companies will pay top dollar for quality technical documents tailored to niche engineering subjects.

Technical writing leverages your existing knowledge while allowing you to expand your communication abilities. Pay can range anywhere from $30 to over $100 per hour depending on experience level and technical domain.

13. Engineering Professor

Consider becoming an adjunct professor at a local community college or university to teach entry-level engineering courses. With a graduate degree and some work experience, you can impart practical engineering knowledge while earning upwards of $5,000 per course.

This is a great option if you enjoy teaching and want to inspire the next generation while giving back to your alma mater.

14. Engineering Blog Ghostwriter

Talented engineers aren‘t always skilled writers. As an engineering ghostwriter, you can turn complex technical concepts into readable, SEO-friendly blog posts and articles for clients.

Subjects like IoT system design, semiconductor physics, mechanical engineering principles, and MATLAB require niche expertise combined with superb writing abilities. Charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per 500+ word article.

15. Sell Informational Products

Convert your engineering knowledge into digital informational products like eBooks, video tutorials, Excel templates, CAD models, and more. Then sell them for recurring passive income on your own site or third-party marketplaces.

Focus on highly specific tools that solve narrow problems faced by engineers and technical professionals. For instance, an eBook on an advanced hydraulics design technique or an Excel template to simplify complex physics calculations.

16. Proofreading Services

Proofreading may seem mundane but is a critical final step before publishing research papers, equipment manuals, or clinical studies. Engineers with sharp eyes for detail and excellent grammar skills can offer professional proofreading or copyediting services.

Editing technical documents is a valuable niche service that companies rely on for quality control. English language proficiency is an advantage here. Expect to earn $25 to $50 per hour as an independent proofreader.

17. Resume Reviewer

With your engineering background and hiring experience, provide resume revision services to junior engineers seeking jobs. Ensure their resumes and LinkedIn profiles accurately convey technical skills in alignment with industry trends.

Charge anywhere from $50 to $250 per resume depending on the level of revision and optimization required. Conduct resume reviews online via video chat.

18. CAD Modeler

If you have simulation experience with mathematical modeling tools like MATLAB and COMSOL, offer your services to researchers or startups needing virtual prototyping and testing. You can build custom physics-based CAD models tailored to client specifications for a lucrative fee.

Niche technical CAD services start around $60 per hour but can go up significantly depending on complexity and criticality of application.

19. Code Tutor

Software engineers can consider becoming coding tutors to teach programming languages like Java, Python, C++ to beginners looking to switch into development roles. Conduct tutoring via Zoom calls or create online courses on platforms like Udemy.

Programming tutors earn $40 to over $100 per hour based on language proficiency, teaching methods, and student demand. Consider starting your own Codementor profile to gain more visibility.

20. Patent Drafting Freelancer

As highlighted earlier, patent expertise is a great asset for engineers. Once you gain proficiency, provide freelance patent drafting services to individual inventors or small companies filing new patents.

Mastering niche technical topics combined with patent legal knowledge can help you command rates crossing $100 per hour as a freelance patent drafter.

21. Resume Builder

This is a step above standard resume writing. Offer full-fledged resume builder packages including professionally written and designed resumes, cover letters, online profiles, and interview coaching.

Help turn engineers struggling in the job market into strong candidates with intensely customized resume builder bundles. Starting at $500 per package, this is a scalable service with tremendous value.

22. Amazon Alexa Skills Developer

Voice computing is growing exponentially through platforms like Amazon Alexa, used by over 100 million people globally. As a developer, you can build custom Alexa skills and voice apps for clients helping automate daily tasks and workflows.

Alexa developers typically charge upwards of $75 per hour. With businesses now integrating voice technology, this is a future-ready side job for tech-savvy engineers.

23. Engineering Video Creator

Create educational or promotional videos related to mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, energy technologies, construction principles, and more niche domains. Companies rely heavily on YouTube and customized video content to engage modern customers.

As an engineering video creator, you can charge $500 or more per 2-3 minute explainer video. Grow your personal brand while working with clients ranging from global corporates to neighborhood startups.

24. Mock Interviewer

Engineers seeking new opportunities need to ace highly technical job interviews. Offer mock interviewing services combined with relevant engineering industry insights to help candidates practice and improve.

Conduct practice interviews focused on niche technical topics within your domain expertise through virtual mediums. Mock interviewers can command anywhere from $50 to $200 per 45-60 minute mock session.

25. Freelance Researcher

Companies often need additional research bandwidth provided by qualified engineering professionals who can dive deep into niche subject matters. Offer your advanced domain expertise for outsourced research tasks.

For engineers with PhD qualifications, this type of freelance research can pay between $50 to well over $100 per hour, depending on project complexity and client budget.

26. Invention Consultant

Become an invention consultant helping aspiring inventors assess the patentability, engineering feasibility, market potential, and commercial viability of their innovative product ideas. You can provide invaluable strategic and technical guidance to inventors before they invest significantly in prototyping.

Invention consultants typically charge hourly rates of $100+ for expert product evaluation. You can easily service multiple clients per week.

27. Expert Witness

Court cases involving questions around engineering negligence, product defects, industrial accidents, and IP infringement require unbiased expert testimony from qualified engineers. Expert witnesses provide crucial evidence shaping legal outcomes.

Expert witness services can pay anywhere from $150 to over $350 per hour depending on your proficiency and the technical complexity involved. detailed engineering reports often accompany testimony.

28. Crowdfunding Consultant

Crowdfunding through sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo helps entrepreneurs validate and fund innovative engineering products. As a consultant, you can provide end-to-end guidance on effective crowdfunding strategies optimized for engineering campaigns.

Help clients create compelling product pitches, set fundraising goals, craft reward tiers, market effectively, and manufacture efficiently post-campaign. Charge fixed project fees or hourly consulting rates starting at $100.

29. Code Auditor

Software engineers can offer code auditing services to review quality, efficacy, and security of systems built by other developers. Code audits involve detailed line-by-line inspection of system architecture, databases, front-end/backend environments, integrations, and frameworks.

Based on project scope, code auditors can charge anywhere from $75 going up to $150 per hour. Add code optimization to boost value.

30. eBay Selling Assistant

Leverage platforms like eBay to sell reusable industrial supplies, niche engineering components, used professional equipment, and more to business buyers. As an eBay selling assistant, you handle product listings, shipping, account management, and customer issues on the client‘s behalf.

eBay selling assistants catering to commercial clients can easily charge 30% or more of sales revenue. The key is focusing on niche industrial wares with existing buyer demand.

Conclusion

The world of engineering encompasses a vast spectrum of domains, tools, and ever-evolving innovations. This breeds fertile ground for enterprising engineers to offer specialized technical services catering to diverse industry needs.

Whether you decide to follow more conventional routes like consulting and teaching or explore newer avenues like blogging and app development, there is a side hustle opportunity waiting to be tapped.

Remember that providing true value and building trust are central to building a consistent income stream from any engineering side job. Become recognized as a subject matter expert. The financial rewards will follow.

With the demand for technical skills only set to grow globally, now is the time to start carving out your niche as an engineerpreneur.