Michigan has the nation’s 3rd-largest engineering workforce
Over 30,000 University of Michigan Engineering alumni reside in Michigan
What happens when you gather 130,000 engineers and surround them on three sides with water? You get Michigan, which has the nation’s third-largest engineering workforce, trailing only California and Texas, and second-highest concentration of engineers in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Michigan, the global center of the auto industry and a leader in semiconductors, manufacturing, robotics, R&D and more, ranked No. 1 in concentration of engineers — the proportion of its workforce in the field — for at least the past five years. Today only New Mexico ranks higher. In Michigan, nearly 3 out of every 100 jobs are held by an engineer, nearly twice the national average.
The impact of all that engineering talent runs deep in communities across both peninsulas, and University of Michigan Engineering has played a big role, building a network of over 30,000 alums (as of 2026) who call Michigan home.
Michigan’s workforce has
nearly twice
the national rate of engineers.
Meet alumni who are building a better state
They’re building and rebuilding our cities, protecting our forests, cultivating our auto industry, stoking our start-up culture, carefully crafting boats and other things that enrich our lives, and more. Here are some of their stories.
Ben Van Dam
Boyne City, Mich.
TITLE
President, Van Dam Custom Boats
IMPACT
Leads design and production of one-of-a-kind vessels that bring world-class craftspeople to Boyne City, supporting the local economy and spreading Michigan-made artisanship around the globe
Oversees a shop listed by Robb Report as one of the world’s best wooden boat builders, where nearly every component — hulls, metal fittings, electrical systems — is made in-house and master boat builders train the next generation
INDUSTRY
Maritime
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in engineering in naval architecture and marine engineering, ’05
Larry Brinker Jr.
Detroit, Mich.
TITLE
President and CEO of Brinker Group
IMPACT
Co-led Michigan Central Station’s massive $1 billion renovation in Detroit, which involved pumping 2.5 million gallons of water from the basement and 3D-printing historic stone details
Brinker Group, the nation’s largest Black-owned construction contractor, has an extensive portfolio of Detroit redevelopment projects including Ford Field, Book Tower, Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena and The Motown Museum expansion.
INDUSTRY
Construction engineering and management
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in civil and environmental engineering, ’01
Laurie Transou
Dearborn, Mich.
Launching the Mustang’s 60th edition and a generation of women engineers in Dearborn: Laurie Transou
TITLE
Ford Mustang Chief Engineer (retired)
IMPACT
Oversaw the design and launch of the Ford Mustang, one of the longest continuously produced nameplates in automotive history, from 2023-2026. This includes its 60th anniversary edition
As the second of three generations of Ford engineers, she mentored nearly 100 women automotive engineers during her years as leader of the Women of Ford product development chapter
INDUSTRY
Automotive
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in engineering in mechanical engineering, ’90
Dave Stockoski
Roscommon, Mich.
TITLE
Engineering Manager, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
IMPACT
Leads a team at DNR’s Forest Fire Experiment Station that customizes heavy-duty, off-road firefighting trucks that get firefighters to hot spots deep in the woods. Launched in 1929, it was the first U.S. facility for fire control research and equipment development.
Maintains a fleet of 100 wildland engines and equipment that’s used in more than 300 fires a year in Michigan and sent to other states when needed, helping to protect forests, homes, people, water and wildlife
INDUSTRY
Forestry
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, ’97
Ben Marchionna
Lansing, Mich.
TITLE
Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corp.
IMPACT
Leading implementation of the $60 million Michigan Innovation Fund, established in 2025 as the state’s first major investment in its startup scene in more than two decades. Marchionna’s role is a first-of-its-kind for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC).
Grew the statewide PitchMI business competition, which drew 375 startups from 108 cities in 2025 and distributed $1.7 million to Michigan founders, according to MEDC.
INDUSTRY
Economic development
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in engineering in aerospace engineering ’10, master of science in engineering ’13
Elizabeth Wilkinson
Grand Haven, Mich.
TITLE
Operations Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
IMPACT
Oversees maintenance of 18 harbors along Michigan’s west coast from St. James on Beaver Island all the way south to St. Joseph, protecting critical transportation routes and keeping waterways safe for recreational boating
Six harbors are commercial facilities that annually move hundreds of millions of dollars in commodities that support the state’s economy, including coal delivered through Grand Haven and Manistee for power plants that lack adequate rail access.
INDUSTRY
Civil engineering
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in engineering in civil and environmental engineering, ’02
#6
State for business
Michigan is ranked the #6 state for business on CNBC’s 2025 top states for business
Pete Cook
Marquette, Mich.
TITLE
Founder, Cookcraft Woodworking
IMPACT
Launched a design and build company specializing in reclaimed materials, with a portfolio that includes custom furniture, greenhouses, compost toilets and a sauna for a retreat serving young cancer patients
Building an off-grid eco-village centered around resilience, sustainability and cooperation on 80 acres outside Marquette. He’s utilizing alternative building materials and energy-efficient architecture.
INDUSTRY
Carpentry
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in materials science and engineering ’08
John, Gloria & Chris Lyon
Traverse City, Mich.
TITLE
Owners, Lyon Farm and Vineyards
IMPACT
Operate a 100-acre cherry, apple and grape farm that’s one of the longest-running family-owned fruit farms on Old Mission Peninsula in Michigan’s Grand Traverse region, the birthplace and center of the nation’s tart cherry industry
Annually harvest around 500,000 pounds of fruit, much of which becomes Lucky Leaf cherry pie filling sold at grocery stores nationwide and cool-climate wines—aromatic whites and light reds—bottled at nearby Left Foot Charley winery.
INDUSTRY
Agriculture
DEGREE
Bachelor of science in chemical engineering ’81 (John and Gloria), ’13 (Chris)
Michigan’s culture of innovation
University of Michigan Engineering has a long legacy of stoking that culture of innovation, as a global leader in robotics, computer engineering, AI and electrical engineering. And U-M’s Innovation Partnerships, renowned as one of the nation’s strongest university commercialization entities, ensures that new ideas turn into world-changing products and technologies. U-M ranked second in the nation for IP-based startups in 2024, as well as fourth for invention disclosures and fifth in licenses and options in a 2022 Heartland Forward report.
“There are no peer institutions for U-M in the state when it comes to innovation development,” said Ben Marchionna, chief innovation ecosystem officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “It’s a globally recognized brand that makes it very easy to pitch Michigan to Silicon Valley and other places around the world.”
The impact Michigan has on engineers
Of course, when you’re looking at the impact that engineers have on Michigan, you also see the impact that Michigan has on engineers. The comfortable lives close to family and friends. The abundant lakes and forests edged by beaches and lighthouses. The joy of being part of a community. The satisfaction that comes with making a difference.
Built in Michigan. For Michigan.
If you’re one of our amazing alumni living in the state,
know you’re in good company.
Michigan’s workforce boasts more mechanical engineers than any other state.
We’re home to the second-highest number of industrial engineers.
The Mitten has the fourth-highest concentration of electrical engineers.
We’ve also got the fifth-highest concentration of computer programmers.
This page reported and written by Gabe Cherry, Nicole Casal Moore and Marcin Szczepanski; edited by Cara Gonzalez, Amy Whitesall and Erika Kohl; designed by Scott Hyde, with photography by Marcin Szczepanski.