The Mystery of Empathy Engineers
British job seekers are missing out on lucrative tech sector contracts because they don't understand what the roles actually entail—or even believe they exist. According to new research from the business financial platform Tide, this confusion is costing applicants opportunities in high-paying positions.
What Is an Empathy Engineer?
An empathy engineer is someone who considers the social, cultural, and emotional factors that influence how society interacts with technology. This role focuses on blending the human perspective with tech-driven problem-solving, aiming to create more meaningful and inclusive digital experiences.
- Salary Potential: Up to £110,000 per annum.
- Current Listings: As of now, LinkedIn isn't advertising any openings for empathy engineers, though there was one expired listing for a role in gaming.
The Gaming Example
In gaming, an empathy engineer would be responsible for implementing game mechanics, narratives, and experiences that foster empathy, emotional intelligence, and social awareness among players. The goal is to promote meaningful connections and understanding within virtual worlds.
Other Confusing Job Titles
Empathy engineer is just one of several new and bewildering job titles emerging in the tech industry. Others include:
- Prompt Engineer: Specializes in crafting and optimizing prompts for AI systems.
- Belonging Manager: Focuses on embedding an inclusive culture within organizations to ensure employees feel valued and heard.
- Skills Architect: Designs and structures skill development programs.
- Augmented Intelligence Officer: Works on enhancing human decision-making with AI tools.
The Belonging Manager Role
A belonging manager's role is to embed an inclusive culture at the heart of the organization, ensuring employees feel valued, included, and heard. This position can offer up to £80,000 per year, but 80% of survey participants had no idea what it involved.
Why the Confusion?
As the job market adapts to rapid growth and changing needs, new roles are emerging that have no previous parallels in the workplace. This lack of historical context makes it difficult for applicants to understand what these jobs entail or how to qualify for them.
Employer Responsibility
There's a debate about whether employers are creating silly, off-putting names for what might otherwise be ordinary jobs. This branding can deter potential candidates who are unfamiliar with the terminology.
Key Takeaways for Job Seekers
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on emerging roles in the tech sector, even if they sound unfamiliar.
- Research Thoroughly: Look beyond the job title to understand the actual responsibilities and required skills.
- Leverage Experience: Many of these new roles prioritize practical experience over formal qualifications, so highlight relevant past work.
Do's and Don'ts
- Do Say: "As someone experienced at building consistent frameworks that are supported, accountable, and impactful, I am the very model of a modern empathy engineer."
- Don't Say: "Can I empathize from home?"
By understanding these evolving roles, you can position yourself to take advantage of high-paying opportunities in the tech industry, even if the job titles seem confusing at first glance.




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