M.E. looking for a new job
M.E. looking for a new job
(OP)
Wow, this is such a great forum!
I have been working for a small M&E consulting firm as a Mechanical Design Engineer for almost a year (I graduated college last May). I enjoy my job for the most part, but I have a very low salary and don't like the city that I live in. For these reasons, I am on the job hunt again and seeking advice from those of you with years of experience behind you.
My main dillema is whether I should find another consulting firm to work for, or try something different. Working at a large HVAC company as a product development engineer or something along those lines seems interesting to me, but I don't know an awful lot about the responsibilities of a position like this. Does anyone that does this type of work wish to offer advice?
Another thing I'm concerned about is the ability to obtain my P.E. Can I do this if I work for a manufacturer? It seems to me that almost all P.E.'s are consultants. I am looking for employment in a large metropolitan area, so I have a lot of options...I'm just not sure which ones to go for! I don't know a lot of other Mechanical Engineers in the workforce, so I'm asking you guys for some guidance. Thanks!!
I have been working for a small M&E consulting firm as a Mechanical Design Engineer for almost a year (I graduated college last May). I enjoy my job for the most part, but I have a very low salary and don't like the city that I live in. For these reasons, I am on the job hunt again and seeking advice from those of you with years of experience behind you.
My main dillema is whether I should find another consulting firm to work for, or try something different. Working at a large HVAC company as a product development engineer or something along those lines seems interesting to me, but I don't know an awful lot about the responsibilities of a position like this. Does anyone that does this type of work wish to offer advice?
Another thing I'm concerned about is the ability to obtain my P.E. Can I do this if I work for a manufacturer? It seems to me that almost all P.E.'s are consultants. I am looking for employment in a large metropolitan area, so I have a lot of options...I'm just not sure which ones to go for! I don't know a lot of other Mechanical Engineers in the workforce, so I'm asking you guys for some guidance. Thanks!!





RE: M.E. looking for a new job
Best Wishes
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
You aren't making $100k like some other posts seem to indicate is typical? He He
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
You can still get your PE regardless of whether you work for a consultant or a mfg. You just need the four years experience, completion of the FE (or EIT in my case), and some PE recommendations. Of course, the PE recommendations may be hard to come by if you work for a mfg but you can find some with a little work. Some boards will wave this requirement if you have been working in a mfging environment. Good luck.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
buzzp, why do you say that your manufacturing job was more satifying than your consulting job? (I also have this feeling, but I would like to hear your reasons). I'm actually LESS worried about job stability with my current employer than I would be working for a large company.
$100k...yeah right....more like 1000k!!
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
TTFN
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
You have one life to live, there isn't another one in the bank w/ the $100K!
Brian
www.mcabeeconstruction.com
Opinions expressed are my own and are not those of the company.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
As a product engineer, I'm a piece of the overhead and if I need to take days at a time for research, it's no problem. Easier to educate myself, in other words.
Good luck with it!!
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
It covers dozens of criteria, which you personalize with extra weight in areas important to you. Chapter headings:
- Finding your place to prosper.
- Location rating systems.
- Where the money tree blooms.
- Whither the weather.
- Population winners/losers.
- Warning - hazards to health.
- Final analysis - summation and considerations.
Engrs can have fun wading thru this analysis. Also, rate your present location. It's an eye opener.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
Consulting for electrical types seems to be mostly buildings, substations, and other types of power work, which I don't care for much at all. Maybe my experiences are limited but I don't think EE consulting is that technically challenging based on my experiences.
If I can come up with some more reasoning I will certainly post it.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
It doesn't pay much, but there isn't anything I'd rather be doing except drive a race car and I'm too old for that.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
buzzp, your reasoning seems to make sense to me...I tend to be more interested in how things work than how they are applied. There also seems to be a lot more politics involved with consulting that I really don't care to deal with. I am a little uncomfortable with "making something out of nothing," so a job that involves finding ways to make a product better would be what I am most interested in.
DRWeig, it's nice to hear another opinion from someone that has actually worked in both industries. Thanks.
I didn't really mention it too much in my first post, but it looks like people are also giving good advice about moving, where to live, etc. The area I am looking at right now is the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Any comments?
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
I'll put my 2 cents in about the manufacturing vs consulting work environments. I started out working in a manufacturing environment but somehow ended up as an employee (not owner) at 2 consulting firms (not concurrently). At these 2 jobs I felt like I was under the microscope. I also feel that the engineering managers acted more like accountants rather than engineers. The up side of my current job (at a consulting firm) is that it takes me to various parts of New York City. I therefore get to visit all different kinds of neighborhoods and buildings. I also get interesting street views from the rooftops of buildings.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
All that being said, my vote is for consulting. But the bottom line is go where your professional desire leads you. You'll eventually be miserable doing something that just doesn't inspire you. That is also something I've learned in my manufacturing experience.
Good luck and keep us informed as to what you do.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
I think everyone has a slightly different idea of positions titled “design” or “manufacturing,” etc…. (either that, or it’s just me that is confused). I don’t think I’m necessarily looking for a manufacturing job. Can anyone give a decent explanation of different engineering positions, or point me to a good source where some are listed?
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
I used to call a product design engineer 'design engineer' but after working with consultants they like to call their drafters 'designers'. Since then, I try to use the term 'product design engineer'. Makes it clearer to me but probably not for others. Just do not want to be confused with a drafter.
I cant think of any web pages with that info. Probably a good eng college would have this posted on their site.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
Additionally are there engineering recruiting/headhunting services for those with this amount of experience? Some firms say they do, but I've been told that they solely place mid to senior level candidates.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job
Admittedly you should be learning a lot at the moment - if you aren't then you either need to move, or reconsider what you are doing while you are at work. It may be that you are expecting learning opportunities to be handed to you, things don't work that way in the real world.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: M.E. looking for a new job