Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
(OP)
Hello,
I am 25, mechanical engineering. I have started my first job few months ago as a machine designer in Europe. The company produces high tech machines for packaging and assembly.
My resposibilities are:
Designing (3D CAD with Autodesk software's) of machine systems. Technical drawings etc.
Currently, I fell I can also start my career in some other engineering branches. I also have some other offers.
Unfortunately, I do not have very clear view and interest about a specific direction of my future career. I only want to have a successful, satisfied and secure engineer career. I also want to go far in my career. With my present job I would be "A machine designer with experienced of designing special machines" after some years.
This is true that talented person would be successful in any field. But prospects in a field could also play a part.
As the first job may define the direction of my whole career. I desire to collect some opinions of engineers in this forum related to some of my career questions. I will be very thankful.
Is a career of "machine designer" good choice in term of:
Future prosperity prospects
Prospectsts to have a great career
World wide demand
Future Security
Some other advantages, disadvantages, Limitations or risks?
Thanks and regards
Smar
I am 25, mechanical engineering. I have started my first job few months ago as a machine designer in Europe. The company produces high tech machines for packaging and assembly.
My resposibilities are:
Designing (3D CAD with Autodesk software's) of machine systems. Technical drawings etc.
Currently, I fell I can also start my career in some other engineering branches. I also have some other offers.
Unfortunately, I do not have very clear view and interest about a specific direction of my future career. I only want to have a successful, satisfied and secure engineer career. I also want to go far in my career. With my present job I would be "A machine designer with experienced of designing special machines" after some years.
This is true that talented person would be successful in any field. But prospects in a field could also play a part.
As the first job may define the direction of my whole career. I desire to collect some opinions of engineers in this forum related to some of my career questions. I will be very thankful.
Is a career of "machine designer" good choice in term of:
Future prosperity prospects
Prospectsts to have a great career
World wide demand
Future Security
Some other advantages, disadvantages, Limitations or risks?
Thanks and regards
Smar





RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
Chris
"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics." Homer Simpson
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
Chris
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RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
Do what you enjoy. You shouldn't care so much about long term prospects as there will always be a need for everything. It just may be cyclical in nature with high/low times. I don't care who you are these days it's not a "great" market.
I take on enough manufacturing improvements and engineering calculations to keep things interesting. I have a degree in industrial engineering so I really enjoy being in a manufacturing environment personally.
As far as real long term security goes...in 10 years there will probably be a huge demand for engineers and designers as the baby boomers start phasing out of the job force. If you can get 10 years experience in any field by then you'll be sitting pretty.
James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
As hinted at above, if you want to be more than just a draftsman/CAD Jockey/designer you may need try and apply some more hardcore engineering skills such as the analysis Jspisich mentions.
I also got the impression it wasn't the highest paying field, which I find interesting because some of those machines are really quit ingenious and many of them one offs.
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
I dont know what goes into your machines, but if you can be the guru in an engineering skill like PLC's, Structures, materials, hydrolics, etc. you can have a good sell able skill, and all the general skills you may pick up form machine design.
currently being a guru may also help you keep your job... at lest in some areas.
Best of luck
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
But seriously, you are not alone in not knowing your path. It will come to you I am sure. Meanwhile, any engineering experience is better than none.
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
I echo what Jspisich says and do what you enjoy.
Tim Chung
Mechanical Designer, CSWP
www.kinderdesign.ca
RE: Career as a machine Designer (3D CAD): good choice?
I make a fair salary. I could make much more in a big city, but where is the fun in that?
If you enjoy it, do it. If not, don't.