Springfield, Missouri is a city of opportunity, a place where anyone can forge their own path and create the future they aspire to have. For engineers who choose to work in the region, this means plenty of opportunities to grow in your career and be engaged in the community.
Nationally, employment of engineers is expected to grow 6.4% from 2016 to 2026. Springfield has exceeded this level of growth, with engineering jobs growing 59.6% in the last two years alone. The city rebounded quickly after the recession, with manufacturing jobs growing more than 22.3% after 2010. Whether you’re an engineer just getting started or an expert in your field, Springfield is growing fast and needs talent like you to help build our future.
Read on and discover the many reasons why Springfield is a great city for engineers.
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What Types of Engineer Jobs Are There?
With our top-tier roster of employers in town, it’s no wonder that Springfield is growing so fast. There are plenty of engineering and factory jobs available in manufacturing companies such as:
- Springfield Remanufacturing Company
- Paul Mueller Company
- 3M
- John Deere Reman
- Kraft Foods
- CNH Industrial Reman
- Loren Cook Company
Software developers and environmental engineers are also in high demand in Springfield. As the city expands, there is a need for skilled professionals in these fields to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the region. Whether you’re interested in mechanical engineering jobs, metal fabrication, or other engineering disciplines, Springfield has a range of opportunities waiting for you.
Engineers also have the opportunity to connect and network with fellow members of their field through a number of local industry associations. The Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning all have chapters that meet in the Springfield region for those who are interested.
How to Become an Engineer
Looking to further your education and advance your career? Springfield offers different types of engineering degrees and excellent options for specialized training. You can diversify your skillset with a master’s degree in physics or mathematics from Missouri State University or learn more about the business side of engineering by earning an MBA at Drury University. If you’d rather focus on your specific area of engineering, nationally-renowned Missouri S&T offers master’s degrees entirely online. Not only will you be eligible for in-state tuition, you don’t have to leave the region to get one of the best engineering educations in the country.
Schools in the Springfield region aim to start students early in STEM education, building a well-educated, well-rounded workforce. Through the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies (GOCAPS), students from area high schools are given the opportunity to spend time working alongside engineers and manufacturers to better understand the field. Students in this program have completed projects like traffic assessments of the Springfield-Branson National Airport and a design of a classroom addition to a school. Many high schools also offer dual credit courses in areas like math and science, allowing students to get a jump start on their collegiate career.
Nearly every college in the area has an opportunity for students to study engineering or manufacturing:
- Missouri State University. At MSU, interested students can earn a bachelor’s degree in civil or electrical engineering without leaving Missouri State’s campus through a cooperative agreement with Missouri S&T.
- Drury University. Drury offers a program where students can spend their first three years earning a liberal arts degree and an engineering degree from the prestigious Washington University in St. Louis.
- Evangel University. Students at Evangel can complete a 3+2 program, where the first three years are spent at Evangel and the last two years are spent at an engineering college. At the culmination of this program, students will receive a degree from both Evangel and their engineering school.
- Southwest Baptist University. SBU provides several options for students interested in engineering, including a program where students earn a physics degree from SBU while earning an engineering degree from another institution. For those who wish to pursue engineering in further higher education, their degrees can prepare for graduate programs as well.
- Ozarks Technical Community College. Those wishing to complete an associate’s degree or a shorter program may pursue OTC’s courses in manufacturing technology, drafting and design, machine tool technology, welding technology and industrial systems technology.
Is Springfield, MO, a Good Place to Live?
You can’t choose a city solely on your job prospects. You’ll need to know that there are things to do and places to go, along with being able to afford such adventures. Luckily, Springfield offers the best of both worlds when it comes to economic prospects and chances for fun:
- Low cost of living. Simply put, when you live in Springfield, your money goes further. With a cost of living that is 13.8% lower than the national average, you’ll have more money in your pocket to save or spend on travel or hobbies.
- Nearby amenities. Looking for weekend plans? Visit the newly opened Wonders of Wildlife, the Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene, Fantastic Caverns or take a day trip to one of the many nearby cities. Whether indoors or outdoors or something in between, Springfield has amenities for all types of people.
- Fantastic housing opportunities. Springfield has the perfect living space for everyone, from unique downtown lofts to historic homes to suburban neighborhoods. Not only will you be able to find your preferred style of home, but you will also likely be able to find something in your budget. For example, the same house that would cost $195,000 in Springfield would cost $218,136 in Chicago and $644,492 in Washington, DC. You’ll be getting more house for your money than ever before!
Ready to call Springfield home?
Read through our relocation guide and explore everything that the city has to offer. We can’t wait to welcome you here.
