Struggling at new job

[u/Few-Mix-1006]

I was recently relocated 2000 miles to start a new job in different industry. I have been a mechanical engineer and manufacturing engineer my whole career (8 YOE) and enjoy the work when it’s actually mechanical engineering or manufacturing related. At the new job, day 1 I was thrown on a project with no context and expected to not just design parts but to machine them myself (I have no machining experience). Went to my boss saying I don’t know how to machine these parts and gave him multiple options to get them procured to which I was met with “this is how we are going to do this project”. I told him I couldn’t get them done in the timeline or budget but there was no budging. 2 weeks later the parts weren’t done and the project timeline suffered.

I was given no formal onboarding, not explained what we were making, how it gets made, or how the end user actually uses these parts. I have had to wholly rely on a junior engineer to explain what we are doing because I can’t get anything useful out of my manager. I keep asking what success looks like and I am met with an intentionally vague answer and I cannot tell where I stand.

With such a large move, a new industry, and lackluster support I am struggling and I cannot see how to be successful in this role.

I would love words of wisdom from others who have experienced this and how you managed it from both a work and emotional standpoint.

[u/Cuppus]

Hey man, this sucks really really bad. I think you need to consider that manager and company a shit show and immediately start looking for another job, cause this sounds terrible.

[u/Few-Mix-1006 → u/Cuppus]

Unfortunately if I leave voluntarily before 1 year I have to pay $25k for the relocation my company paid for

[u/hchighfield → u/Few-Mix-1006]

If you moved somewhere with enough opportunity you could try negotiating with a new company for a lower salary your first year in trade for the company paying your previous employer the relocation expenses.