Department change
Department change
(OP)
Hi,
The Project Engineering Department want to involve to to its department. And, i want to know, if i change my job from process engineer to project engineer, is it will be better for me or not?
The thing is i want to work as an process engineer in future. But, think that may be it will be useful for me to change department for some time. What do you suggest me?
The Project Engineering Department want to involve to to its department. And, i want to know, if i change my job from process engineer to project engineer, is it will be better for me or not?
The thing is i want to work as an process engineer in future. But, think that may be it will be useful for me to change department for some time. What do you suggest me?





RE: Department change
RE: Department change
Thanks for your answer,
The problem is, there is not much work for process engineer (even doing nothing for a couple of weeks), but no enough workers in project engineering, you think that there isn't anything for me to learn/experience which i can use it in process engineering right? And, i'm planning to get master degree in process engineering. The situation is really important for me. I don't want to make a wrong decision. Your opinions are important for me
RE: Department change
In my experience, the process engineer performs the maintenance or does small projects related to that field. The project engineer does the design of process for larger plants or processes, or larger capital budgets related to your field. As a project engineer, you will still be asked for your input from your process knowledge.
Again....just from my experience....
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: Department change
There is plenty to learn and some of it may make you a better process engineer down the road. But like I said, all the project engineering roles I have seen and been around are just project managers for engineering. This may vary some with different companies, but I haven't seen much difference. At my last employer we had several project engineers, they reported directly to the projects managers for a specific project. They had to manage all disciplines (elect, mech, civil, etc.) and didn't do much technical work, if any at all. They will manage contracts and work schedules, coordinate technical reviews, etc. as well for engineering related scope.
My current title is Senior Project Engineer. We have four other project engineers at my current employer. All of them fit the description above. I am the exception here. Thus far, I have done all of the engineering for my projects myself, managed contracts, oversee field work, etc. Really, I am more of a plant engineer that manages all my own projects, but also gets involved in operations and maintenance issues.
To me, if you plan to get a masters in the field, I would stick with the process engineer role. Project engineering may bore (you or maybe you will love it, skip the masters and go in to proper management).
RE: Department change
Depending on the company, I think project engineering provides a good foundation as you are exposed to numerous sub-disciplines. I did it for about 4 years before deciding to branch out to a more specialized area. I wouldn't have been able to figure out where to take my career without doing project engineering.
RE: Department change
In my former company, project engineer meant systems engineer and required to do highly technical stuff.
Typically, if it is not a project manager in disguise, go for it and it should not be too difficult to get your return ticket to a more specialized role.
RE: Department change
Yes, this is an informal forum, and one that will not be selecting you for a future promotion, nor for future employment. But your project reports, daily status reports, reviews, recommendations, customer feedback reports, and everything else will be viewed very critically by those who will select you, or fire you, for future work.
RE: Department change
I appreciate for your opinions. You showed me what to think about
RE: Department change