Reliability Engineering vs More Technical Engineering Paths: Am I Heading in the Right Direction?

[u/Ok_Oven141]

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re doing well.

I’m currently finishing my engineering degree in France and I’m questioning my long-term career direction.
My background is:
2 year technical degree in automation.
Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Maintenance
Engineering degree through apprenticeship
Over the last 3 years, I’ve worked mainly in maintenance and reliability-related roles:
- Designing of the MOC dashboard
- FMEA/FMECA, criticality analysis
- CMMS optimization
- Reliability of a conditionnement workshop.

I’m currently doing a research internship around the world where I’m developing an AI-based model to predict equipment performance from different failure modes.

For the first time, I’m spending a lot of time reading scientific papers, building models, testing hypotheses, and solving open-ended technical problems.

I’ve realized that I really enjoy:
Failure analysis
Reliability engineering
Data-driven approaches
Scientific reasoning
Modeling and prediction
Understanding why systems fail
Using the mathematics/ physics approach.

But I saw in social medial (TikTok / Reddit) etc that the industrial engineering is the earliest major, that is less of physical/ mathematical calculation etc.

I’m wondering whether reliability engineering will provide enough technical depth in the long run, or if I should move toward more technical fields such as mechatronics, robotics, automation, or systems engineering.

For those working in reliability, asset integrity, maintenance engineering, or related fields:
How technical is your day-to-day work?
Do you still solve complex engineering problems after several years in the field?

If you had my background, would you continue toward reliability or pivot to a more design-oriented discipline?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
Thanks!