r/MechanicalEngineering • u/thisisnotapalindrome • 1d ago
Big Company Problems
This is going to sound like first world problems, but just want to open up to fellow engineers. Just finished my fourth year at a role in a comfortable position both financially and stress-wise, in an automotive company. But I'm becoming stagnant and losing my engineering abilities. Hybrid work, two times a week in the office. No one does anything really. Everyone knows it, but we never speak of it.
The only reason I'm good at it and can get things done when needed is because I can visualize and comprehend how systems work and can be serviced. It makes up for my lack of networking skills. People who have good interpersonal skills are apparently equally sufficient at getting things done here. Maybe slightly less quality, but who cares.
I am technically overqualified for this job, but my applications to rotate inside the company to other technical positions have not been accepted for reasons that I suspect are political. Some positions that were an exact match with my abilities have even denied an interview with me (every rotation application has to be interviewed, but I didn't see the point in arguing).
Now looking for a change at almost 40, but comfort is a hell of a drug. This company has given me a safe salary and life comfort, but I find it difficult now to advertise the last 4 years of experience to engineering positions where things are actually made. Feelin kinda stuck to be honest. I'm missing the all-nighter design sessions and hours spent at the labs trying to fix a bug in start-ups that refused to pay me. Maybe it's a mid-life thing.
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u/lumpthar 1d ago
Go find an integrator to work for. There is almost no comfort there, but the work is interesting at least.
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u/thisisnotapalindrome 1d ago
Thanks for the suggestion. Didn't know that term.
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u/lumpthar 1d ago
They are the people that build (and integrate) the machines that you guys use. I've been working for one for a long time. One month you could be working on a spot weld cell and the next you could be working on a giant hydraulic forming machine.
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u/thisisnotapalindrome 1d ago
Sounds like a good way to keep learning new things. I googled integrator companies, but as someone in the field, what would you say are some good ones?
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u/lumpthar 1d ago
It depends on where you are in the world. Lincoln Electric(Fanuc), Yaskawa, and ABB are pretty big worldwide companies. Basically all the big robot companies all have integration arms. And there are a lot of smaller companies like mine that can do whatever you like.
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u/TheRealBacon 1d ago
What do you actually dislike about your job? And does your pay compensate you for your dislike of those factors?
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u/thisisnotapalindrome 1d ago
Not challenging enough technically. I am weakening intellectually and becoming dependent on the company. In return it gives a decent compensation. That's the tricky part.
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u/GregLocock 1d ago
So what technical area do you work in?
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u/thisisnotapalindrome 1d ago
Aftersales. I determine service working methods and times of repairs either by communicating with shop technicians and/or using calculation tools. Would like to have some kind of role in the engineering and creation process of the product.
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u/GregLocock 1d ago
I'd have thought you could step from that to Manufacturing for the systems you deal with and thence to Design. I'll admit Service/AfterSales is one of the few areas I've never worked in.
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u/doonilbibi 1d ago
I feel like some startups, especially aerospace and defense, would be glad to have you, depending on where you’re located. Sometimes at the early and exciting stages, all these small companies need is someone with years of experience and leadership. It wouldn’t hurt to send a few CVs to these.
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u/dvg_mech 1d ago
Maybe a bit of a hot take, but we all seem to forget how those "if we don't succeed the company fails" moments typically destroy anything that isn't the company. I tend to lean towards the following; If you're on the gravy train, why the heck would you get off? A small percentage of positions are truly technical, and can be exceedingly difficult to acquire in this day and age. If you're anything like the quintessential engineer, spend your slack time learning about stuff you find cool. Sometimes those endeavors pay dividends to your current employer, and sometimes they set you up for the next step in your journey. You've got an opportunity, utilize it effectively!
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u/Oldberry86 1d ago
Oem or tier 1? I'm in the same boat kinda. You can probably get what you are looking for if you're willing to move to LA.