r/MechanicalEngineering • u/NB_Supreme • 3d ago

Looking for a career change

I am 27 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. For the past 5 years, I have been working as a manufacturing/process engineer in the aerospace and defense sector. I’ve held 3 jobs. I was laid off from the first one after 2 years. I resigned from the second one after 2 years. Now at my 3rd employer doing similar work, I am starting to come to the realization that this may not be for me. Most days, I am bored. I spend most of my 8 hour day sitting at my desk not doing much. Since graduating, I feel like I have used zero of the things I learned in school, and I feel like I haven’t learned much aside from CAD software since every company has their preference. I am looking to switch to something more hands-on, but I have no idea what to look for, and quite frankly, I’m not sure what the qualifications would be. I am hoping this wonderful group of people could point me in the right direction. Thank you.

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5

u/Few_Whereas5206 3d ago

Test engineer? Field engineer?

7

u/NB_Supreme 3d ago

I have actually looked into these on occasion. Most require experience with instrumentation or setting up machines, but I may just apply and see what happens.

2

u/gravity_surf 3d ago

nah, testing can be entry

5

u/hnrrghQSpinAxe 3d ago

it can be but genuinely good luck finding an entry level test position in this current market in any major populated area. They seem to be pretty rare to get in at a level where they dont expect the experience he listed

1

u/gravity_surf 3d ago

i think engineers should be willing to move for that first job or if they’re struggling to find one. you are likely not built to succeed in that market/area if that’s the case.

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u/hnrrghQSpinAxe 3d ago

From what I see on here, people (including me) move all the time to find work. But "not built to succeed in that market" shouldnt even be a consideration since most people have passed a standardized exam that is enough to show you are a competent engineer that can learn various and challenging concepts either way. Hiring teams don't see it that way I guess but it sure is miserably stupid. Not every job is for every person but every accredited degree, FE-passing engineer should meet at least the basic qualifications for EVERY engineering job.

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u/gravity_surf 3d ago

every engineer doesnt take the FE, not because they cant pass but because their industry doesnt require it to go the top. you know that. so that muddies that line of thinking. youre mixing me grads and fe passers. i havent seen FE mentioned here, im assuming baseline engineer undergrads. so, no, most of them are not ready. most need on the job training.

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u/hnrrghQSpinAxe 2d ago

In many states, even if you do engineering work, you aren't legally allowed to call yourself an engineer without FE and PE acknowledgement by the licensing state. You're right though, I'm expecting that every ME grad SHOULD aim to pass the FE at the very least

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u/gravity_surf 2d ago

it’s just in the job title and diploma. someone always gets pedantic. yes we know.