6 High-Value Minor Degrees for Mechanical Engineers in 2025

With the rise of widely available artificial intelligence tools, electrification, and the increasing demand for systems integration, today’s engineering students must seek a new answer to an old question: Which minor will help make me future-ready?

“Technology is changing quickly, and mechanical engineers feel the impact more than most,” said Mark Saltrelli, vice president of engineering recruiting at Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom. “With the public accessibility of AI, embedded systems and machine learning tools, engineers can no longer afford to stay in their comfort zones. The core mechanical engineering skill set still matters, but how that work gets done and what’s expected on day one, looks very different than it did even two years ago.”

Minor degrees may not directly impact starting salaries, but they do help graduates stand out in a competitive job market. A well-chosen minor reflects initiative, expands one’s technical toolkit, and shows awareness of engineering’s future. 

Here are six minors that recruiters and employers find valuable in 2025, each offering mechanical engineers a way to accelerate their growth and stay aligned with where the field is headed.

Electrical Systems and Power Engineering

As mechanical systems become more software-driven and energy policies push toward electrification, power systems knowledge is increasingly important.

“In my world, the focus is on converting or generating energy using non-combustion processes,” said Michael Complita, principal in charge and vice president strategic expansion for Elliott Bay Design Group, a firm that designs commercial ships and boats. “A minor in electrical systems, or at least significant study of it, will be of extremely high value in the immediate future.”

This is particularly true in marine, aerospace, and automotive sectors. Saltrelli added, “We’re working with an automotive manufacturer that designs all the connector systems going into electric vehicles for Tesla, GM, and Ford. They’re looking for mechanical engineers with experience, or at least some education, in embedded systems or machine learning. This understanding is critical once they hit the factory floor, because everything is interconnected through the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart components.”

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)

AI is not just disrupting engineering; it’s redefining it. From design automation to predictive maintenance, AI, and ML now permeate nearly every industrial process.

“Today, machines can troubleshoot themselves,” Saltrelli said. “The real opportunity is for mechanical engineers to be the ones designing the logic that lets machines fix themselves. If you want to do that, you need skills and education in AI and machine learning.”

Coursework in this minor includes deep learning, data structures, NLP, and real-time decision-making systems. Engineers trained in AI are increasingly needed to design systems that adapt, learn, and optimize over time.

Data Science and Analytics

With the explosion of sensors, performance monitoring, and digital modeling tools, engineers are increasingly expected to extract insight from large volumes of data. A minor in data science equips mechanical engineers with the ability to structure, interpret, and act on this data. These skills are becoming foundational across industries.

Typical coursework includes statistics, data visualization, and programming in Python or R, two of the most common languages used for analyzing engineering data. These skills are particularly useful in applications such as digital twins, where real-time data streams simulate and optimize physical systems. Whether it’s predicting component failures or fine-tuning system performance, engineers with a basis in data science are better positioned to turn raw information into strategic action.

Mechatronics and Embedded Systems

The overlap between mechanical, electrical, and computer systems is growing. Mechatronics, once a niche, has gone mainstream.

This interdisciplinary minor typically includes embedded systems, motor controls, microcontrollers, actuators, and real-time computing. “There’s a huge talent gap in embedded systems,” Saltrelli said. “It used to be the domain of computer science engineers, but now mechanical engineers are expected to understand these systems, especially in industrial automation, robotics, and smart devices.”

Companies are actively seeking hybrid engineers who can span both mechanical design and embedded logic.

Sustainability and Renewable Energy

As global industries race toward decarbonization, mechanical engineers are critical to the design and implementation of sustainable solutions. A minor in sustainability or renewable energy focuses on lifecycle thinking, green materials, energy systems, and environmental policy.

This minor was included among the recommended minors two years ago, but the meaning has shifted, particularly in the current geopolitical climate. Despite an ideological stress on fossil fuels and de-emphasis on “green” energy from the current U.S. administration, the demand, necessity, and common sense of renewable energy remain as strong as ever. As time passes and the political winds shift, opportunities will only grow. 

In some sectors—especially transportation, infrastructure, and manufacturing—the conversation has moved beyond making systems more efficient. The emphasis now is on reengineering processes to move away from combustion entirely, often requiring deeper integration of renewable energy systems and non-traditional energy sources.

A minor in this field typically includes coursework in lifecycle analysis, environmental modeling, clean energy technologies, and the policy frameworks driving global energy transition. 

Business Management and Architectural Engineering

A business minor remains a strong signal to employers, particularly for engineers who aspire to leadership roles. Coursework in operations, accounting, project management, and organizational behavior helps engineers bridge the technical and strategic sides of an organization.

“When we assess top mechanical engineering candidates, we like to see minors in business management,” said Chris Catton, director of talent consulting at Zweig Group. “A business focus often signals an interest in leadership and firm growth down the road.”

Tangentially, jobseekers in building design roles gain a more favorable review if they minor in architectural engineering because it shows an interest in and understanding of how a building goes together, Catton added.
 

A moving target

Saltrelli cautioned that the list of “hot” minors will continue to evolve, just like the technologies behind them. But the mindset behind choosing a minor is what matters most.

“A minor isn’t the be-all, end-all of whether someone is hired, but it can absolutely offer an edge,” he said. “Especially if it reflects a willingness to step outside the traditional mechanical engineering comfort zone. We’re seeing a big skills gap right now. The older generation knows CAD and mechanical systems like the back of their hand, but they’re not experts in AI or embedded systems. Meanwhile, younger engineers may understand the tech but lack the hands-on experience.”

Despite the shift, Saltrelli stressed that mechanical engineers are still among the most in-demand professionals his firm places. “The traditional mechanical engineer isn’t going away,” he said. “But the role is evolving quickly. We need people who can work across disciplines, who understand how technology is changing the work itself.”

His advice for students: “Don’t just do what’s familiar; do what’s next. Your core skills still matter, but the way they are applied is changing. The more you lean into this, the more valuable you’ll be.”

Jerry Guerra is an independent writer in Lynnfield, Mass.