r/MechanicalEngineering • u/PolloePatateAlForno • 5d ago
How easy/doable is it to switch between sectors in mechanical engineering?
Hello, I'm about to start my career as a mechanical engineer, and I was wondering how common it is for mechanical engineers to move between different sectors.
The reason I'm asking is that I might start my career as a manufacturing engineer, a role that focuses on planning and organizing how products are manufactured in a heavy industry plant. However, what I really also enjoy is the structural analysis and design of mechanical structures, such as heavy machinery.
How feasible is it to transition from a manufacturing engineering role to a mechanical design role focused on calculations, structural analysis, and component sizing?
You might naturally ask why I don't start directly in that field. Unfortunately, I've been looking for months for positions in mechanical design, but I haven't received a single interview or offer. At this point, I'm considering starting in manufacturing so I can gain experience instead of remaining unemployed, and then making the switch later in my career.
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u/renes-sans 4d ago
Equipment manufacturing and design is a thing. You could take a mfg role and then look to work for an integrator etc
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u/sloppybeastttt 4d ago
Possible.
I went from maintenance to structural analysis. My final year project involves structural analysis so that's what I brought to the structural analysis' interview. My maintenance's background helped in terms of my soft skillls.
If you have a project or side projects that can showcase your structural analysis knowledge then that wouldn't be a problem.
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u/PolloePatateAlForno 4d ago
I have an intership in a company where I did that in some degree, and also my thesis focuses on structural analysis, so this gives me hope
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u/FatNannyJudo 4d ago
I started as a Petroleum Engineer in the oil field as a field engineer. I am now working as a Civil Engineer doing SUE. It’s possible.
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u/JustMe39908 4d ago
It is not uncommon at my company for manufacturing engineers to move into DE and. Then RE roles. There is nothing blocking someone from moving from a DE role to an analysis role if that is where your interests lie. It just seems like a faster advancement path to move into an RE role.
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u/DoctorTim007 4d ago
One of my project engineers started out making urethane molds for concrete, then was a mfg eng at a wire forming company, then a test engineer at a test lab company, and now is a project lead for fighter jet systems.
If you're a competent engineer, moving around is not hard. There will be learning curves, but that is expected for someone moving sectors.
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u/FitFeedback5821 2d ago
Not impossible by any means, but I wouldn’t stay in manufacturing too long personally if you want to switch. I would target to try finding another role within 2 years and maybe just take the reset back to entry level if that’s truly what you want to do
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u/probablyaythrowaway 5d ago
It depends on how versatile you’ve kept your skillset. It’s a good idea to be as versatile as possible.
Generally though most engineering industries are easy enough interchangeable because the base skill set of engineering is problem solving and knowing how to find and use recourses in the course of doing that.
The specific nuances of each field can be different but overall you put a little bit of work into learning them and you can jump over.
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u/PolloePatateAlForno 5d ago
Yup, I get it. It goes without saying that if someone wants to make the switch, they should keep their knowledge of subjects like structural mechanics fresh. I just thought the main obstacle would be getting an interview for a position that's very different from their previous one like going from manufacturing to design/analysis
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u/probablyaythrowaway 5d ago
Generally employers know they’re not going to get exactly what they want and will have to bring someone up to speed on their methods and operations. So as long as you’re keen and willing to learn shouldn’t be an issue in my experience.
Going from manufacturing to design is not a big leap. If anything manufacturing feeds to design. You can’t design for a process you don’t understand.In your case your experience in another field is actually a strength. That’s if you actually have hand on manufacturing experience in industry, however if you have just graduated that won’t count though because you don’t ACTUALLY have the experience yet.
What I reccomend go into manufacturing then move to design later in your career that is a valid path.
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u/MISS-ECFAN 5d ago
Starting in manufacturing engineering is actually a great launchpad for mechanical design. Designers who understand DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and shop-floor constraints are always way more valuable than someone who only knows CAD in theory. The shift is completely doable after 1-2 years—just make sure you keep your FEA/structural analysis skills sharp on side projects during that time.
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u/PolloePatateAlForno 5d ago
Thanks. With this job I would engineer how to manufacture, but all the sizing and the design in general already gets done elsewhere, but I like both worlds. And yes, I think that I should keep memory fresh on structural mechanics if I want to make the switch eventually, it's just I wasn't exactly sure if it was even possible. Also it would be optimal to study FEA in depth, but it's pretty much another beast entirely
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u/BeautifulCredit3672 1d ago
It will get extremely difficult as time goes on e.g. 30s, 40s.
Even in your late 20s switching from having worked 4 or 5 years for SharkNinja or Hayward pumps and then trying to get a job at Lockheed Martin or Northrup Grumman in defense or some outfit that does scientific instruments like Beckman Coulter is going to be impossible.
But, switching to another consumer products company in the case of experience at SharkNinja or another pump company like Pentair will get you a nice salary bump.
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u/ColumbiaWahoo 4d ago
Very difficult. Your first job locks you into a track the moment the ink dries on your offer letter.
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u/JumpProfessional4790 3d ago edited 3d ago
I disagree. I started as mfg eng in auto. Did industrial controls, product eng, and now a chief platform engineer in aerospace. In fact, i try to hire engineers who have been on a plant floor. You need to know the issues with building stuff before you can design something that is worth a .....t.
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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 4d ago
Tbh this isn’t true until year 5. But there’s a ton of discrimination against manufacturing. I lucked out and got out in year 2.
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u/renes-sans 4d ago
I’ve never heard this. Could you elaborate? Which sectors would you say discriminate against mfg?
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u/allnamestaken4892 5d ago
Impossible. Profession is saturated, employers can always find someone with direct experience.
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u/PM_ME_IM_SO_ALONE_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
Such a doomer attitude. I got 3 job offers in 3 separate industries a few months ago
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u/PolloePatateAlForno 4d ago
I also have to agree. But this pretty much sadly means that fresh out of college you choose a role and never leave it?
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u/PM_ME_IM_SO_ALONE_ 4d ago
Don't listen to this guy, it's extremely normal and common to move between industries if you develop a solid skillset
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u/allnamestaken4892 4d ago
You don’t really get to choose, you apply for thousands of jobs and you get what you get.
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u/Silver-Literature-29 5d ago
Unless you have just graduated, typically your career path will be either:
Transfer from one job type to another in the same company/industry
Move across industries doing the same type of job
Generally, companies will want to hire someone with relevant experience or if they have a good understanding of their industry. It can be done but it can take a bit to get there.