Why not? Leonard Susskind, a key developer of string theory often called the father of string theory started working life as a plumber. Sometimes having an unconventional background can lead to new insights. The Theoretical Minimum. read more
In my view, apart from Physicists, mechanical engineers are perfectly fit to work on quantum mechanics. Having sound theoretical and practical knowledge in classical mechanics, they are the right creatures to appreciate the quantum mechanics which would take them by surprise everytime. read more
Yes, but you'll mostly find quantum mechanics being used explicitly in active research areas within these fields. With the sole exception of electrical engineering, a purely classical treatment of most phenomena is still enough to get by. Scientific fields are much more likely to focus on actual quantum mechanics than engineering fields. read more
Before an integrated circuit (that encapsulates an array of transistors in a piece of computer equipment, say) is mass produced, one must do a huge number of simulation calculations that are all based on quantum mechanics proper. read more