As AI tools increasingly take on real-world tasks, the roles of professionals, from copywriters to engineers, are undergoing a rapid and profound redefinition and reenvisioning. This swift transformation, characteristic of the AI era, is shifting core fundamentals and operational practices. Sometimes AI complements people, other times it replaces them, but most often, it fundamentally redefines their role in the workplace.
In this story, we look further into the emerging roles and responsibilities of an engineer as AI tools gain greater traction, while also tracking the industry’s shifting expectations through the eyes of prominent names from the electronics and semiconductor industry. The resounding messages? Engineers must anchor themselves in foundational principles and embrace systems-level thinking to thrive.
The Siren Song of AI/ML
There’s no doubt that AI and Machine Learning (ML) are the current darlings of the tech world, attracting a huge talent pool. Raghu Panicker, CEO of Kaynes Semicon, notes this trend: “Engineers today at large are seeing that there are more and more people going after AI, ML, data science.” While this pursuit is beneficial, he issues a crucial caution. He urges engineers to “start to re-look at the hardcore electronics,” pointing out the massive advancements happening across the semiconductor and systems space that are being overlooked.
The engineering landscape is broadening beyond just circuit design. Panicker highlights that a semiconductor package today involves less purely “semiconductors” and more physics, chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering. This points to a diverse, multi-faceted engineering future.
The Bright Future in Foundations and Manufacturing
The industry’s optimism about the future of electronics, especially in manufacturing, is palpable. With multiple large-scale projects, including silicon and display fabs, being approved, Panicker sees a “very, very bright” future for Electronics and Manufacturing in India.
He stresses that manufacturing is a career path engineers should take “very seriously,” noting that while design attracts the larger paychecks, manufacturing is catching up and has significant, long-term promise. He also brings up the practical aspect of efficiency, stating that minimizing test time is critical for cost-effective customer solutions, requiring a deep understanding of the trade, often gained through specialized programs.
Innovate, Systematize, Tinker: The Engineer’s New Mandate
Building on this theme, Shitendra Bhattacharya, Country Head & Director, India, Emerson T&M, underscores the importance of cultivating an innovator mindset within India’s engineering community. He urges the next generation of engineers to “think innovation, think systems” — an approach that demands a deeper engagement with hands-on problem-solving.
Bhattacharya cautions against an overemphasis on the “cooler” domains such as AI and ML, emphasizing instead that India’s industrial growth will depend on local innovation and the emergence of homegrown products and OEMs. He advocates for integrated coursework in universities to bridge this gap and strengthen the foundation of engineering education.
“System design requires a strong grasp of engineering fundamentals. That depth is often missing today. Specializing in just one domain will not be enough.”
— Shitendra Bhattacharya, Country Head & Director, India, Emerson T&M
This renewed focus on system design thinking—the ability to integrate diverse engineering disciplines—is central to building resilient innovation ecosystems in the AI age.
The Return of the ‘Tinkerer’
This focus on fundamental, hands-on knowledge is echoed strongly by Raja Manickam, CEO of iVP Semicon. He reflects on how the education system’s pivot toward coding and computer science led to the loss of skills like tinkering and a foundational understanding of “basics of physics, basics of electricity.”
Manickam argues that AI’s initial impact will be felt most acutely by IT engineers, and the core electronics sector needs engineers who are “more fundamentally strong.” The emphasis is on the joy and necessity of building things from the very scratch. To future-proof their careers, engineers must actively cultivate this foundational, tangible skill set.
The AI Enabler: Transforming the Value Chain
While the focus must return to engineering basics, it’s vital to recognize that AI is not a threat to be avoided but a tool to be mastered. Amit Agnihotri, Chief Operating Officer at RS Components & Control, provides a clear picture of how AI is already transforming the semiconductor value chain end-to-end.
AI is embedded in:
- Design: Driving simulation and optimization to improve power/performance trade-offs.
- Manufacturing: Assisting testing, yield analytics, and smarter process control.
- Supply Chain: Enhancing forecasting, allocation, and inventory strategies with predictive analytics.
- Customer Engagement: Providing personalized guidance and virtual technical support to accelerate time-to-market.
Agnihotri explains that companies like RS Components leverage AI to improve component discovery, localize inventory, and provide data-backed design-in support, accelerating prototyping and scaling with confidence.
Conclusion: Engineering for Longevity
The AI age presents an exciting paradox for engineers. To successfully leverage the most advanced tools, they must first become profoundly proficient in the most fundamental aspects of their discipline. The future belongs not to those who chase the shiniest new technology in isolation, but to those who view AI as an incredible enabler layered upon an unshakeable foundation of physics, materials science, system-level design, and hands-on tinkering.
Engineers who embrace this philosophy—being both an advanced AI user and a foundational master—will be the true architects of the next wave of innovation in the core electronics and semiconductor industry. The message from the industry is clear: Get back to the basics, think in systems, and start innovating locally. That is the wholesome recipe for a thriving engineering career in the AI era.
