Career - Engineering Degree
Discussion
Hello all,
I find myself in a position where I very much dislike my job after 2 years 8 months. I am a mechancial design engineer in the automotive sector, however in reality I do very little design and am stuck doing lots of administrative tasks.
I am mid-late 20s, masters in mechanical engineering.
Salary progression has also been very poor, with my promotion to a 'senior' level put off month by month. This increase would only be <£2,000 anyway.
I am fortunate in that I have a large amount of savings, and also live with parents, so I could be out of work with not much to worry about for a few months. I also have a small online business that generates anything between £300 and £2000 a month, mostly towards the bottom end.
I think I have discovered that automotive design is not for me, and looking to pivot to another sector.
I have always been interested in software / IT / computers / tech, and also building services / civil, however I am finding little traction in applications in these areas. I have intermediate python programming skills, always built my own PC hardware, and ran/built servers/ network for my parents small business prior to them selling.
I am also very close to quitting without anything lined up, as I am been taken advantage of greatly, and am really fighting the demons to hand in the notice. I have close friends in the consulting sector who feel I would do well there (tech consulting), however achieving an interview let alone securing a job is proving to be a difficult task.
Does anyone have any recommendations on alternative sectors that I have not thought about?
I find myself in a position where I very much dislike my job after 2 years 8 months. I am a mechancial design engineer in the automotive sector, however in reality I do very little design and am stuck doing lots of administrative tasks.
I am mid-late 20s, masters in mechanical engineering.
Salary progression has also been very poor, with my promotion to a 'senior' level put off month by month. This increase would only be <£2,000 anyway.
I am fortunate in that I have a large amount of savings, and also live with parents, so I could be out of work with not much to worry about for a few months. I also have a small online business that generates anything between £300 and £2000 a month, mostly towards the bottom end.
I think I have discovered that automotive design is not for me, and looking to pivot to another sector.
I have always been interested in software / IT / computers / tech, and also building services / civil, however I am finding little traction in applications in these areas. I have intermediate python programming skills, always built my own PC hardware, and ran/built servers/ network for my parents small business prior to them selling.
I am also very close to quitting without anything lined up, as I am been taken advantage of greatly, and am really fighting the demons to hand in the notice. I have close friends in the consulting sector who feel I would do well there (tech consulting), however achieving an interview let alone securing a job is proving to be a difficult task.
Does anyone have any recommendations on alternative sectors that I have not thought about?
SP_ said:
Hello all,
I find myself in a position where I very much dislike my job after 2 years 8 months. I am a mechancial design engineer in the automotive sector, however in reality I do very little design and am stuck doing lots of administrative tasks.
I am mid-late 20s, masters in mechanical engineering.
Salary progression has also been very poor, with my promotion to a 'senior' level put off month by month. This increase would only be <£2,000 anyway.
I am fortunate in that I have a large amount of savings, and also live with parents, so I could be out of work with not much to worry about for a few months. I also have a small online business that generates anything between £300 and £2000 a month, mostly towards the bottom end.
I think I have discovered that automotive design is not for me, and looking to pivot to another sector.
I have always been interested in software / IT / computers / tech, and also building services / civil, however I am finding little traction in applications in these areas. I have intermediate python programming skills, always built my own PC hardware, and ran/built servers/ network for my parents small business prior to them selling.
I am also very close to quitting without anything lined up, as I am been taken advantage of greatly, and am really fighting the demons to hand in the notice. I have close friends in the consulting sector who feel I would do well there (tech consulting), however achieving an interview let alone securing a job is proving to be a difficult task.
Does anyone have any recommendations on alternative sectors that I have not thought about?
First I'd say don't quit with nowhere to go to - While it might seem like a good idea, it probably isn't. I find myself in a position where I very much dislike my job after 2 years 8 months. I am a mechancial design engineer in the automotive sector, however in reality I do very little design and am stuck doing lots of administrative tasks.
I am mid-late 20s, masters in mechanical engineering.
Salary progression has also been very poor, with my promotion to a 'senior' level put off month by month. This increase would only be <£2,000 anyway.
I am fortunate in that I have a large amount of savings, and also live with parents, so I could be out of work with not much to worry about for a few months. I also have a small online business that generates anything between £300 and £2000 a month, mostly towards the bottom end.
I think I have discovered that automotive design is not for me, and looking to pivot to another sector.
I have always been interested in software / IT / computers / tech, and also building services / civil, however I am finding little traction in applications in these areas. I have intermediate python programming skills, always built my own PC hardware, and ran/built servers/ network for my parents small business prior to them selling.
I am also very close to quitting without anything lined up, as I am been taken advantage of greatly, and am really fighting the demons to hand in the notice. I have close friends in the consulting sector who feel I would do well there (tech consulting), however achieving an interview let alone securing a job is proving to be a difficult task.
Does anyone have any recommendations on alternative sectors that I have not thought about?
I'd also ask is it the automotive bit or the design bit that you don't like? - As a jump to Software / IT / something else is quite a jump. It would be a lot of effort to pivot to software only to then discover you don't like that either.
My experience is in Hardware & Software mostly for cloud connected widgets and we work with mechanical designers, product ID, and UX/ UI designers - All of these are still in the design world rather than a complete pivot away from your current role?
(p.s. Building PC hardware is worth absolutely nothing in the software engineering world - Most grads that apply to our roles have many many years of writing software, contributing to open source projects and a git portfolio of stuff they've built because they were doing it before they even started their degree. To get a decent / interesting role as a SW engineer would require this or possibly something like a bootcamp approach (which if you really want to write software would be where I would look.)
(p.p.s IT != SW imho. Working in corporate style IT is very different to writing brand new from the ground up software)
Plenty of more interesting roles in the automotive sector if you move into development/testing.
Automotive engineering salaries are never going to be great but can be ok, and if you get to enjoy your job it may be worth it.
Although if you're running an M2 you must be doing ok!
For a bit of variety look at smaller companies/test houses rather than big OEMs (e.g. JLR). Roles at larger companies can be very specific/restrictive and get a bit boring.
Automotive engineering salaries are never going to be great but can be ok, and if you get to enjoy your job it may be worth it.
Although if you're running an M2 you must be doing ok!
For a bit of variety look at smaller companies/test houses rather than big OEMs (e.g. JLR). Roles at larger companies can be very specific/restrictive and get a bit boring.
Can you look to expand the online business?
Edit: The poster below me has touched on it, but nuclear indeed with regards to growth. I'm a Mech Design Eng in Nuclear and a few years older than you and the money is much better than I've experienced elsewhere. The speed however is somewhat glacial, which I'm still not fully used to and I'm personally not sure I like, but I'm keeping my head down for now while I figure out what I actually want to do.
Edit: The poster below me has touched on it, but nuclear indeed with regards to growth. I'm a Mech Design Eng in Nuclear and a few years older than you and the money is much better than I've experienced elsewhere. The speed however is somewhat glacial, which I'm still not fully used to and I'm personally not sure I like, but I'm keeping my head down for now while I figure out what I actually want to do.
Edited by Sycamore on Wednesday 19th March 09:26
It may be worth tempering your expectations to begin with- you're masters qualified and working towards becoming a senior mechanical design engineer, you'll inherently be driving a CAD package less and writing more reports & documentation as you progress.
Maybe a change of scenery is a good idea. Try another engineering sector, it would be daft to pivot completely into something like software/IT where you aren't a competitive or qualified candidate. The biggest growth sector in engineering at the moment is nuclear and there's plenty of opportunities for competent engineers with an MEng.
Maybe a change of scenery is a good idea. Try another engineering sector, it would be daft to pivot completely into something like software/IT where you aren't a competitive or qualified candidate. The biggest growth sector in engineering at the moment is nuclear and there's plenty of opportunities for competent engineers with an MEng.
Edited by Gastons_Revenge on Wednesday 19th March 09:25
Have you considered the areospace or defence industry? They could well be even busier in the coming years! There's a wide range of options, whether its aircraft or airborne electronics (such as radar, electronic warfare, etc)
Whichever, as you progress up the chain you end up spending more time away from design work. I found (retired after 32 years working for the countries leading electronic warfare company) that up to Senior most time is spent designing, once a Principal the level of admin increases along with managing staff, and if becoming a Lead that goes up another notch.
Whichever, as you progress up the chain you end up spending more time away from design work. I found (retired after 32 years working for the countries leading electronic warfare company) that up to Senior most time is spent designing, once a Principal the level of admin increases along with managing staff, and if becoming a Lead that goes up another notch.
fat80b said:
First I'd say don't quit with nowhere to go to - While it might seem like a good idea, it probably isn't.
I'd also ask is it the automotive bit or the design bit that you don't like? - As a jump to Software / IT / something else is quite a jump. It would be a lot of effort to pivot to software only to then discover you don't like that either.
My experience is in Hardware & Software mostly for cloud connected widgets and we work with mechanical designers, product ID, and UX/ UI designers - All of these are still in the design world rather than a complete pivot away from your current role?
(p.s. Building PC hardware is worth absolutely nothing in the software engineering world - Most grads that apply to our roles have many many years of writing software, contributing to open source projects and a git portfolio of stuff they've built because they were doing it before they even started their degree. To get a decent / interesting role as a SW engineer would require this or possibly something like a bootcamp approach (which if you really want to write software would be where I would look.)
(p.p.s IT != SW imho. Working in corporate style IT is very different to writing brand new from the ground up software)
Thanks. I suspect it is a bit of both. Automotive I obviously have a passion for, but the world seems very bureaucratic which takes the enjoyment off. I'm also not fully enjoying the technical design aspect including engineering calculations etc, and far more prefer management side, which makes me think a project engineer is perhaps more what I am looking to do.I'd also ask is it the automotive bit or the design bit that you don't like? - As a jump to Software / IT / something else is quite a jump. It would be a lot of effort to pivot to software only to then discover you don't like that either.
My experience is in Hardware & Software mostly for cloud connected widgets and we work with mechanical designers, product ID, and UX/ UI designers - All of these are still in the design world rather than a complete pivot away from your current role?
(p.s. Building PC hardware is worth absolutely nothing in the software engineering world - Most grads that apply to our roles have many many years of writing software, contributing to open source projects and a git portfolio of stuff they've built because they were doing it before they even started their degree. To get a decent / interesting role as a SW engineer would require this or possibly something like a bootcamp approach (which if you really want to write software would be where I would look.)
(p.p.s IT != SW imho. Working in corporate style IT is very different to writing brand new from the ground up software)
Only SW experience I have is writing a 'procurement' bot for online sites to support the online business in Python. It is quite complex, but as you say many grads will have far more experience than this.
blank said:
Plenty of more interesting roles in the automotive sector if you move into development/testing.
Automotive engineering salaries are never going to be great but can be ok, and if you get to enjoy your job it may be worth it.
Although if you're running an M2 you must be doing ok!
For a bit of variety look at smaller companies/test houses rather than big OEMs (e.g. JLR). Roles at larger companies can be very specific/restrictive and get a bit boring.
Thanks. The M2 was bought & run with the small business (sales blew up at one point, but is no longer at that level unfortunately)Automotive engineering salaries are never going to be great but can be ok, and if you get to enjoy your job it may be worth it.
Although if you're running an M2 you must be doing ok!
For a bit of variety look at smaller companies/test houses rather than big OEMs (e.g. JLR). Roles at larger companies can be very specific/restrictive and get a bit boring.
I am currently at a small 2-wheeler OEM (narrows it down very much). I also worked at an engine dev company in motorsport for my uni placement, which I far more enjoyed, but I didn't really excel at the technical design side of things, but I did enjoy it far more.
Sycamore said:
Can you look to expand the online business?
Edit: The poster below me has touched on it, but nuclear indeed with regards to growth. I'm a Mech Design Eng in Nuclear and a few years older than you and the money is much better than I've experienced elsewhere. The speed however is somewhat glacial, which I'm still not fully used to and I'm personally not sure I like, but I'm keeping my head down for now while I figure out what I actually want to do.
I could look to expand it, and I am 100% wanting to own a business in the future. However, it requires a push to just quit and focus 100% on it, which I don't have the cajones to do...Edit: The poster below me has touched on it, but nuclear indeed with regards to growth. I'm a Mech Design Eng in Nuclear and a few years older than you and the money is much better than I've experienced elsewhere. The speed however is somewhat glacial, which I'm still not fully used to and I'm personally not sure I like, but I'm keeping my head down for now while I figure out what I actually want to do.
Edited by Sycamore on Wednesday 19th March 09:26
Gastons_Revenge said:
It may be worth tempering your expectations to begin with- you're masters qualified and working towards becoming a senior mechanical design engineer, you'll inherently be driving a CAD package less and writing more reports & documentation as you progress.
Maybe a change of scenery is a good idea. Try another engineering sector, it would be daft to pivot completely into something like software/IT where you aren't a competitive or qualified candidate. The biggest growth sector in engineering at the moment is nuclear and there's plenty of opportunities for competent engineers with an MEng.
Thanks both for the note regarding nuclear. I'll definitely have a look what's open atm.Maybe a change of scenery is a good idea. Try another engineering sector, it would be daft to pivot completely into something like software/IT where you aren't a competitive or qualified candidate. The biggest growth sector in engineering at the moment is nuclear and there's plenty of opportunities for competent engineers with an MEng.
Edited by Gastons_Revenge on Wednesday 19th March 09:25
mr pg said:
Have you considered the areospace or defence industry? They could well be even busier in the coming years! There's a wide range of options, whether its aircraft or airborne electronics (such as radar, electronic warfare, etc)
Whichever, as you progress up the chain you end up spending more time away from design work. I found (retired after 32 years working for the countries leading electronic warfare company) that up to Senior most time is spent designing, once a Principal the level of admin increases along with managing staff, and if becoming a Lead that goes up another notch.
I've certainly looked at defense, aerospace seems a little glacial in speed, whereas I quite enjoy slightly faster paced work?Whichever, as you progress up the chain you end up spending more time away from design work. I found (retired after 32 years working for the countries leading electronic warfare company) that up to Senior most time is spent designing, once a Principal the level of admin increases along with managing staff, and if becoming a Lead that goes up another notch.
shirt said:
Software to Civils is a broad spread.
I’m not knocking that. Just you need to narrow down for us what aspects of engineering you enjoy and which you do not. What does a good day / week / project look like to you?
Agreed. I think civils is potentially more interesting to me than software. My main problem at my current company is not learning anything, as I do mainly administrative work, so I am not developing at all. Effectively, I would like to do what my job description says!I’m not knocking that. Just you need to narrow down for us what aspects of engineering you enjoy and which you do not. What does a good day / week / project look like to you?
Reading your OP it's not clear if you want more engineering/design or less? I'm a senior mech design engineer, at a Fusion company, and there's lots of options if you look at the science and R&D sectors out there, both public and private.
I really enjoy the low volume and bespoke design work, and there's a good mix of problem solving, CAD design, concept development, project management, and the option to get more hands on at the build stage if you wanted.
Every company is different though, but if your current position is not valuing your skills as a design engineer, maybe a different employer would suit you better?
Obviously up the ladder are technical lead/chief engineer roles which have less CAD/design work, but it's not easy to jump straight up without spending time as a mech engineer (IMO).
I really enjoy the low volume and bespoke design work, and there's a good mix of problem solving, CAD design, concept development, project management, and the option to get more hands on at the build stage if you wanted.
Every company is different though, but if your current position is not valuing your skills as a design engineer, maybe a different employer would suit you better?
Obviously up the ladder are technical lead/chief engineer roles which have less CAD/design work, but it's not easy to jump straight up without spending time as a mech engineer (IMO).
I think you've tried a small taste of the pie and found you don't like it.
I would definitely look elsewhere in industry, and smaller organisations tend to be more hands on. Loads of good space startups in UK looking for everything from thermal to fluid flow to mechanical designers. Chance to grow quickly with the company, or stay on the tools.
I would definitely look elsewhere in industry, and smaller organisations tend to be more hands on. Loads of good space startups in UK looking for everything from thermal to fluid flow to mechanical designers. Chance to grow quickly with the company, or stay on the tools.
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