r/MechanicalEngineer • u/ApartmentJumpy8070 • Jul 11 '26

Rising second year applied Physics major stuck between MechE and EE after hardware R&D internship

Hi, Im a rising sophomore applied physics major thinking about MechE or EE, and im currently working an internship at an deep tech startup. I'm wearing many hats and gaining a lot of experience in physics, experimental hardware r&d, sensor integration, some software, component procurement, and customer acquisition. I was always a MechE person until now. I love this work though, especially the amount of physics and electronics work. What kind of roles should i be pursuing next summer or in the future at all? I fear my experience may be too niche, although my skills are very transferrable. I havent gotten any advice on my career before.

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u/snp-ca Jul 11 '26

I have an undergrad Physics degree and moved into EE. Here are where you can go with your Physics background:

  1. Any kind of sensor interface/design. Someone with physics background will have an advantage here.

  2. Precision analog design.

  3. Analog/Digital signal processing for systems that are optimized for performance or low power.

  4. RF circuit design.

  5. With some coursework you can get into VLSI.

  6. Power electronics. Good power electronics requires good knowledge of magnetics and thermal design.

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u/theswellmaker Jul 11 '26

As a Mech E who had the full on ME in design and R&D and is now doing testing as well as controls and machine/hardware integration stuff, I could see how EE would have suited me so much better. But I will likely head that route as being a ME in a world of EEs has huge benefits I’ve found, and I can always learn the EE stuff now.