¿Qué valor tiene MATLAB en la industria y cómo prepararse para conseguir trabajo online con esta herramienta?

Estoy evaluando dedicar tiempo a capacitarme profundamente en MATLAB para buscar trabajo online (freelance o remoto). Sin embargo, he recibido opiniones contradictorias sobre su relevancia en la industria.

Mis preguntas son:

1. ¿Es posible encontrar trabajo online utilizando MATLAB? Por ejemplo, en áreas como análisis de datos, procesamiento de señales, modelado eléctrico, simulación con Simulink, etc.
2. ¿Qué cursos o certificaciones recomiendan para aumentar la credibilidad al momento de aplicar a trabajos?¿Las rutas de aprendizaje oficiales de MathWorks son suficientes o es mejor seguir cursos externos?
3. ¿Qué tan demandado es MATLAB realmente en la industria?Comparado con habilidades como programación de PLCs, Python para análisis de datos, o herramientas más específicas (por ejemplo Simulink vs algún otro software de simulación).
4. ¿MATLAB está teniendo un rol creciente en la industria o sigue siendo mayormente académico? Me interesa especialmente en áreas como sistemas eléctricos, energías renovables, baterías, Simscape Electrical o modelado dinámico.

Agradezco cualquier experiencia real o recomendación basada en proyectos industriales.

[dpb]

Google translation follows --

I'm considering investing time in advanced MATLAB training to find online work (freelance or remote). However, I've received conflicting opinions about its relevance in the industry.

My questions are:

1. Is it possible to find online work using MATLAB? For example, in areas like data analysis, signal processing, electrical modeling, simulation with Simulink, etc.
2. What courses or certifications do you recommend to increase credibility when applying for jobs? Are MathWorks' official learning paths sufficient, or is it better to take external courses?
3. How in-demand is MATLAB really in the industry? Compared to skills like PLC programming, Python for data analysis, or more specialized tools (e.g., Simulink vs. other simulation software).
4. Is MATLAB playing an increasingly important role in industry, or is it still primarily academic? I'm particularly interested in areas like electrical systems, renewable energy, batteries, Simscape Electrical, or dynamic modeling.

I would appreciate any real-world experience or recommendations based on industrial projects.

[dpb]

Just a general comment -- There certainly are independent MATLAB consultants but in the overall universe of software skills demand it is definitely a niche market. That has both advantages as well as disadvantages -- there aren't as many competitors, but the ones that there are are fighting for a piece of the smaller pie.

I would suggest that the more demand area for expertise would be in modelling which would be Simulink/Simscape, but the key ingredient there is having sufficient engineering/physics background to be able to build realistic models of complex systems, not just manipulate the user interface to the toolset.

[dpb]

Just out of curiosity, I did a search -- ZipRecruiter had 550 on-site positions but only 19 remote. The possiblity of one of those 550 being willing to hire an outsiide consultant instead is probably not great unless their need is acute and the application pool didn't match their needs and you happened to be the perfect fit.

In short, it's doable, but I'd say it's not going to be a piece of cake...