×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Promotions in Engineering?

Promotions in Engineering?

Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
What is the average time for before a young engineer (fresh out-a-school) usually receives a promotion/raise (not counting annual 3-4% inflation raise)?  1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years?  Anyone have any personal experiences they would like to share?

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

The first milestone is usually registration, with about a 5% raise, depending on company and industry.  After that, it depends on merit, company structure, personal drive and ambition, and luck.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Depends what industry?  I got my first promotion 18 months out of college with a big fat raise but that was due to the fact they hired me in at a lower rate then the "preferred colleges"

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

It also depends a lot on you. Do you do good work beyond what your scope of work requires? If so, it usually helps with promotions. I have worked with engineers that do min work for years without promotions and min raises.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Varies.

My first job I was meant to get a review after 6 months with pay rise based on merit/performance.

Actually got pay rise after 3 months, but just the cost of living adjustment amount not merit.  I then had to wait to the next yearly pay adjustment to get a merit based pay rise which wasn't all that impressive.

I then 6 months later out of the blue got a very large pay rise.  And from then on my yearly pay rises were above inflation, again based on merit.

So it varies.

I would say your first few years at work your worth grows a lot more quickly than after that and your pay should ramp accordingly (unless you're really well paid to start with).  

After you've been somewhere a few (3-5 maybe) years the only way you'll probably get more than cost of living is by some kind of promotion and/or officially increased responsibilities (I say officially because a lot of us just seem to pick things up as we go along without getting the pay raise!)  Sometimes for extra qualifications too.

Usually this sort of thing should be discussed before you take the job initially but I know that isn't always easy.

Also remember merit isn't always just merit, many places brown nosing, like it or not, plays a part.  I'm not very good at it but some people are.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Forgot to say as regards first promotion, I got mine after 15 months, I was told to drop the junior from my title.  This went along with my first merit raise.

Arguably a bit soon to stop being junior.

From then on I acquired more responsibilities but not promotions as such, my job title stayed the same.

Just remembered I did turn down one promotion after about 3 1/4 years, I wasn't qualified/experienced enough and would have fallen flat on my face, no arguably about that one.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Three years out of uni I was promoted to the top technical grade for an engineer.

Which is where I still am, 20 years later.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

My current employer gives raises that don't even cover the yearly cost of living inflation, except for certain particular people (I can't figure out how to become one of them). I've been there for 5-1/2 years. In the most recent performance review I told them that I feel like I am working in the Soviet Union, where "You pretend to pay us & we pretend to work". I also remind them that we are supposedly an ENR 100 firm and I expect them to act accordingly. All I hear is spin in response. Whatever effort I make to learn anything or to do a good job, I do for myself as a learning experience in order to prepare myself for future employers.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

EddyC,

When I said cost of living adjustment I didn't mean it necessarily covered it, just that that was the name (or equivalent) they gave it.

If I remember the first raise I got was barely inflation, not true cost of living, but after 3 months there I Didn't want to complain.  As I recall it was flat 500 stirling for all employess.  A lot to some of the shop floor and less skilled employees, not much to the engineers etc.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
I'm in the A/E business. I have just over 2 years experience.  I work well behond the scope of my "job description" especially when compared to other young engineers within the company with the same experience.  I have little to no technical supervision from my boss and usually am handling 5-8 projects (ranging in duration from small 1 month tasks to 1 year designs) at a time where I control the budget for myself, designers, and CAD operators.  I deal directly with clients on technical issues.  I'm scheduled to take the E.I.T this fall.  My yearly performance reviews have been "satisfactory" and have resulted in the 3-4% raises each year.  Other than the fact that I am not liscensed...I generally do the same work as folks who have been around for 10-20 years...so the company is getting alot of bang for buck.

I approached my boss and asked for a pay grade bump (promotion).  He was in agreement that I deserve a raise and offered up massive amounts of praise for my work over the last two years.  However, he is saying that it may be difficult to push it through the proper approvals and that usually such a raise would occur after 3+ years experience.  He was fishing for an answer (and seemed concerned) to: "what if the raise doesn't happen?" I responded that I'm am just looking for confirmation of my position/future within the company and gave no idiation that I was considering leaving.  However...I have starting feeling around for other jobs.  

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Senseless,

How big is your company?

Smaller companies seem to have more flexibility in pay while really big companies can be a bit more rigid.

You could do what I did.  I had some want adds open on my desk when my Tech Director came around.  There'd been a few cuts in other departments a week or two before and I was hedging my bets in case they decided to trim ours, it wasn't a cunning plan to get more pay.  Anyway a few weeks later at the anual pay review I got a well above inflation pay rise!

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
The A/E division of our company is composed of approximately 100 engineers, designers, CAD operators, PM's, and admin support.  When considering the entire company, I'm guessing there are ~300+ employees.  The company was started 10 years ago.  

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

At a couple of major companies that I worked at, the first 2-3 years were pretty much the same between them, and seemed to be "boiler plated".
- 6 months raise
- 1 year raise
- 2 year raise (plus 1 more week vacation)
- 3 year raise (plus 1 more week vacation if you didn't get it at 2 years)

After that, you are on your own merits.

This is salary, not necessarily level promotion.

Many companies today actually are giving less raises, and more bonuses. This is because bonuses can be take away when times go bad, and I would think that there is less justification for HR/company to grant one, as bonuses are one time deals, given as required to keep employees.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

I managed a good bump in rate and position when we had to hire a couple of CAD jockeys on contract (small company not used to such high rates).  Being a former contractor myself, my boss was well aware that I was well aware of the rates and positions available if I chose to hit the road again.  That helped cool my jets, and I am so far glad to be where I am.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Your best case senario (for the $$ that is) is to leave your company to another one at about 3 years. My wife did this (architect) she got a 60% increase in pay.

Wes C.
------------------------------
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

On the minus side, why are you only getting 'satisfactory' reviews when your boss gives 'massive amounts of praise' for your past performance, face to face? Perhaps he should be encouraged to add a little of that enthusiasm to your next review.

On the plus side, it sounds to me like you have a great job that you enjoy. I'd stick with it for at least another year or so, write a great resume, and find a new job. In the mean time, explicitly apply pressure for a promotion and/or raise, so that when the time comes they can't claim that they weren't informed.

Incidentally it sounds like a largeish company, you may need to figure out who actually controls pay rises, it may not be obvious.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

That really depends not only on your industry, but also on your employer.  

My first job out of university was for a company that had a very formal ranking and position grade number system.  A college hire was grade 22.  You progressed to grades 23 adn 24.  A senior engineer was grade 25, and an engineering supervisor was grade 25 or 26.  

Each grade had a written description of what you needed to know and be able to do to get to that grade.  Promotions from 22 to 23 usually took about a year, after that it would be another 2 years usually to make 24.  After that it was up to the evaluation of your abilities and performance.

My next company had absolutely no formal ranking or grading system.  There were no formal titles or ranks other than being a designated discipline lead on a project.  You would get raises, but no promotions in the traditional sense.

If your company has a formal ranking system and written descriptions, it is simply a matter of making sure your work assignments will give you the knowledge and experiece to move up the ladder.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Senseless,

I think KENAT has the right approach. Here is my expereince.
In my last job I really wanted a transfer and beged and pleaded for the transfer which was the same pay and job just another location. I was the right fit for the job and was even temporarly tranfered there to do the job while they were short handed. In the end I didn't get it and when I went to quit after finding something else, my boss ofered me the transfer. It was too little to late.

There was another emplyee who wanted to tansfer to a totally different departement and area (pretty much another company), he wasn't threateneing to quit but he may as well have been since the departement was so different and separated. He talked about it and asked how he could get into that part of the company. When raises came around he got the fattest raise I have ever seen, 14% (two combined raises). To top it off the guy was a goofoff and not very good at his job or well praised by his peers. But the compnay really needed him to stay around, even if he did a bad job.

I will not say the name of the company but it is one of the largest O&G service companies in the world, with hundereds of thousands of emplyees.

And the moral of the story is if you want something (raise or transfer) you need to let your compnay know you are willing to go to extreems to get it. Or at least let them think you are.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
As an update with my situation...My boss has sent written request to his supervisor indicating that he would like for me to be promoted to the next paygrade/title.  My boss's supervisor must convince the president of the company that I deserve a raise (its company policy that all raises must be approved by the president).  It now been about 3 weeks and I've heard nothing.  It's probably important to note that my boss is a very passive type who seems to have a hard time "getting his way" within the company (although he is a good engineer and is respected technically).  

When meeting with my boss a few weeks ago, I made it clear that I wanted a yes/no answer concerning my raise.  Yet another month has gone by and still no definitive word from above... I've not been looking *real* hard for another job, however if I do not receive the raise I plan on doing so.  Should I go ahead and start feeling around for other jobs?  

Once I get another offer, should I give my current employer another chance to promote me, or should I just turn in my notice and explain they've been "dragging their feet" too long and its too late to make up for it?  I enjoy almost everything about my current job and do not want to leave, however I feel that I'm getting taken advantage of from a $$$ standpoint.  

Thanks again for all the posts!

RE: Promotions in Engineering?


I had my first "promotion" a year after I started my first engineering job.  The promotion was from "Engineer I" to "Engineer II".  The difference in job description was never given to me.  I didn't really have any increase in responsibility either.  After 4 and a half years of experience I was promoted from "Engineer II" to "Engineer III".  Once again, I never really got any official increase in responsibility.  It basically was just a title change both times and they both came with raises in the ballpark of 8%.  I haven't had what I consider a big promotion yet and I'm getting close to 5 years experience.  Based on the other engineers at my company, I don't expect to see any other promotions for a while but I think the next one will be a management position.  It seems like all the engineers here plateau at "Engineer III" until they get an offer for a management position.  

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Dear Senslessticker
I am in a verysimilar situation to yours, we are not a huge company but have about 100 staff members or so.. Its not so hard to imagine that your actual work done at times goes far beyond a persons job description..

When i started with the company my salary was below industry standards i went through a probation period where i was promised a raise if my work was satisfactory.. After the first year i went to the Managing Director of our company.. He adjusted accordingly, they were vey happy with my work.. Now more than a year on my responsibilities hav grown..Moved on to bigger projects..more time away from home... No increase.. Back in the same boat , it seems there is no such thing as a pay performance review.
When you unhappy go to him and explain , beg , ect..

Needless to say i have also had my eye on Local papers and websites to see when and if anything worthwile will come available..


PS: If it takes you 2 months longer to complain, thats 2 month of your increase in his pocket..in my case at least

--Off all the things i've lost , i miss my mind the most--

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Senseless,

If I got another offer, I would evaluate it on its own merits. As I have indicated in other posts, I know what I want. If it is offered, then I take it.

In your case, you gave your company a chance to give you what you want (a raise in this case). Why would you want to give them 2 chances when another employer is already offering you what you are looking for? If I was the new employer, I would be ticked off since it appears you intereviewed for the job with no intentions of taking it, but only to leverage it with your current employer. No one likes to feel used.

Do you?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
Ashereng,

I think I understand the point you are trying to make, but really... Is going to a couple interviews and maybe/maybe not taking an offer from the company really "using" them?  Should I have written "I'm sorry for misleading you" letters to all the employers I've turned down in my life?    

In any case, the US is a society where "leverage" is the driving force of our economy.  Do you think my current employer (or any future employer) will/doesn't use financial leverage to advance the business plan of the company?  

Hmmm...maybe I should put a disclaimer on my resume indicating although I may receive a job offer, its possible I may not take position.  That way, I will not hurt the tender feelings of the ever so emotionally sensitive corporate america!! ;)


 

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Senseless,

That is the other side of the same coin. I understand your arguements and justifications.

Like I said, if I was the employer making the offer, I would feel used.

Here in my litter part of the world, it is truely a "small world", and people have long memories and many friends.  Maybe where you are, things are different.

Anyway, what you do is up to you - I am not trying to persuade you, just sharing my thoughts.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

I'm in exactly the same position at the moment. My boss has asked his boss to get me a promotion. His boss has asked his boss to promote me. That guy is the director who gets to take it to the next board meeting for approval, but unfortunately he's the passive one in this chain. I'm just hoping the other directors are in a good mood at the next board meeting.

I have been warned though, that promotions here tend to happen twice a year (March and September). So I'll hold off doing anything hasty until September passes (bearing in mind my boss started this process in May, so its been going a while). Maybe your company has a similar policy so it might be worth asking round before you rock the boat too much.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
Ashereng,

I suppose it is different where I am (but it is a small work here).  Most of the folks around here float from company to company (usually competators) chasing the almighty dollar.  Many go full circle and sometimes are hired again in a supervisory position over their former boss.  Few get their feelings hurt over someone "using" the system, but rather offer praise for someone who makes the right move in the chess game.  I suppose most of the folks around here skipped ethics class!

However, thanks for your posts.  You give me hope there is some form of dignity and respect still existing within corporate america!  I suppose I'm running with the wolves in my situation.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Senseless,

If I had my time back I would have let the company that didn't want to transfer me know that I was serious and I would leave if I did not get what I wanted. I am sure I would have gotten my way.

Let them know you are serious and they will most likely give you the raise you seem to deserve. If they don't they will never give that raise and you should leave them anyways.

As far as being ethical goes. Why should an employer (who for my situation I will assume to be very business orientated) pay you more for a job you are willing to do for less? Most "big bosses" got to that position because they pushed the limits and were aggressive in getting promotions and raises. I am certain that they expect to see the same drive in the people they promote. This may not be right but it is the norm, at least in my experiences.

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

A long time ago, probably four years out of university, I was transferred within the company from a position I loved to one that I was good at but wasn't desperately keen to do. The move was pushed through while I was on vacation without even a 'for your information' phone call, my boss was over-ruled, and I walked in to find my desk had been cleared. I was absolutely fizzing, told them that I would be leaving at the next opportunity and to be grateful if I worked my notice period.

A former boss from another division who I had enormous respect for came to talk to me, try to find out if I really meant I would leave and what was necessary to persuade me to stay. I told him I wanted a 50% raise (my salary was low at that time), my old job back, and a written apology from the Engineering Director for the shameful way I had been treated. They offered me eveything but the apology. I told them to ram it where the sun doesn't shine. Maybe ethics and principles overruled money and sense, but I worked my notice right up to the bell and walked away with my head held high and a lot of good wishes from people who would become lifelong friends.

----------------------------------
  Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
Update:  I got the promotion and pay grade bump!

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

Congrat's!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

how many percentage?

RE: Promotions in Engineering?

(OP)
At each annual review I've recieved 3.5% (at the beginning of each calendar year).  The recent raise was an additional 4% along with a title change from Engineer I to Engineer II.  I have been with the company 2 years 3 months and started right out of college.  I do not expect another raise (other than yearly inflation raise ~3%) until I'm licensed (which is a big deal in my company).  

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources