Is critical thinking needed in today’s jobs?

Absolutely. Critical thinking is needed in nearly any job anyone would want to work because without critical thinking, one is left behind in the "grey" with others like themselves. People, without critical thinking, tend to be less succesfull and have a lesser quality of life by having tougher challeneges they cannot take on.

Of course, it is not a "must", if you want to work in a box for many years to go and you enjoy shallow life, there are spots for these type of people as well.