Any career advice for a young engineer?

[mechman7]

Hello,
I'm in my first full time position out of school, working for a small private company. I've been with this company for about 10 months now. I'm ready to leave because I don't believe the company is making decisions based on the end-users best interests. Instead, the decisions are tailored to short term solutions in an effort to get the product to market quicker (even though it will be an inferior product), with the ultimate objective of selling the company and technology to an industry giant for a mass payout. This product directly affects the end-users health, although the flaw within the product may not present itself for several years.
I believe that leaving the company is the right move for me, but I'm hesitant to start the job search process knowing that potential future employers will likely have suspicions about someone who left their first job in less than one year. My explanation for this will be based on the fact that my ethics didn’t match up with the companies. My fear is that I will come off as being negative towards my current employer in the interview with the potential employer. I’ve always been told never put anyone else down in an interview, and this is what I would be effectively doing by saying my current employer lacks ethics in certain regards.
Is there any way I can frame my position so that it’s less about “ethics” and more about “engineering judgment”… This maybe semantics, but would using this language help me look better to a potential employer? Or, will this make it look like I’m a know-it-all who thought they knew more than management?
I don’t see how I can honestly explain my opinion without the possibility of the interviewer misconstruing my motivations.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, greatly.

Thanks.

 

[MadMango]

First off, understand that all companies are in business to make a profit. In engineering we design systems that are "just good enough", not perfect. If that were the case, nothing would ever be released to the market (at least in the manufacturing world).

When asked why you left your previous company, a short and simple answer is better. "Management decisions opposed my work ethics." To me, this is totally acceptable to state. I believe you can state your position without “putting down” your past employer. I feel most companies would find strong moral character to be a plus.

[green]"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."[/green]
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
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[TDAA]

If there is a follow up with reguards to MadMango's answer. Politely state that you do not wish to discuss the details of the situation because you do not want to speak poorly of your current employer.

 

[l3city]

I agree with previous comments, but also, according to your statement: "This product directly affects the end-users health, although the flaw within the product may not present itself for several years"

One principal ethical statement: "Engineers must consider the safety, health and welfare of the public in all work performed"

So think about it, if you participate in the design or important decision, you can be in problems in the future even if you don't work in that company for years

 

[SnTMan]

mechman7, I would take the position that you do not find the job sufficiently challenging and/or that you do not see the potential you are looking for.

I WOULD NOT mention ethical considerations or engineering judgement at all.

Nobody wants employees with an overdeveloped sense of ethics.

Regards,

Mike

 

[mechman7]

Thanks to all who've responded. You're suggestions and opinions are welcomed.

In response to l3city:
Because I am a younger engineer I do not have to sign off (and I wouldn't) on the project. My bosses will be the one whos names are on the line. One of them is the co-founder of the company and has substantial finacial interests in this product making it to the market, one way or another. The other boss is a Polymer scientist, and may or may not understand what is actually going on. (who knows?)

More background info:
The spec. calls for a 40-year working life. My engineering judgment, based on mechanical test data that I've seen, suggests that the design will not meet that criteria.

 

[l3city]

If someone else is signing-off, than, you're ok. However, if something happens to that product or someone gets hurt, the company reputation will sink, and together with that any engineer that worked there (even if they did not had anything to do with the project). Than you will look for another job, and they will ask:
"Where have you worked before?" Is going to be hard to get hired. Again, think about it (is a hard decision, I know, but as you said, you are barely starting in this great bussiness)

 

[BelspringKen]

There is a lot of good info here. I recommmend that you stay for a little longer to get to 1 year, then seek out a firm or 2 that you feel does quality work. Apply with a limited number of firms, but good ones and research them before you go to talk to them.

Make sure you emphasize that you are looking for more of a challenge and to do some new things. Think of some of the things you would like to get involved in to give as examples. Try not to say negative things about the old firm, especially if there was a personality issue. Its OK to mention that you are interested in better compensation as well. Stick to facts, not opinions such as saying the firm is not ethical.

 

[HVACctrl]

If the product fails and company rep diminishes of it, I doubt that it will be hard for you to get hired because of your affiliation with them.

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[Ashereng]

"This product directly affects the end-users health, although the flaw within the product may not present itself for several years"

While on the topic of ethics, what have you done with this concern of yours, besides deciding to leave the company?

If this is indeed a serious flaw, with consequences to the general public, as an engineer (or anyone with a strong ethics as you seem to be saying you are), you need to take further actions other than look for another job.

This needs to be reported to your boss. If he is the problem, then you need to report it to the engineering governing board for your state, and also the relevant safety agency with jurisdiction.

Your example is one of the more direct, clear and very likely to cause real damage to someone. You need to take more action.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[mechman7]

Ashereng,
So far I've raised concern to both my direct boss (the Polymer Scientist) as well as their boss (the company co-founder). In both of these discussions I was not allowed to formally present my argument (i.e. reference FBD's), but was told that they both had vast experiencies in dealing with this type of device and the testing used to qualify it. (Although, their prior experiences sounded quite different from the current case). I was then called in by the co-founder and given a little bit of a lecture on knowning what battles I should fight, and when I should fight them (during this conversation he also told me that I was a very bright engineer.). I think he was using flattery and intimiation to silence me and that's why I don't want to work for him anymore.
As for the public and the product... This product has to be reviewed by a government agency before it can be legally marketed. I'll leave it up to the government agencies to do their jobs. My only concerns are 1.)that the government agencies are provided all the pertinent information in a clear fashion; 2) the small quantity of experimental cases currently using the device (although, they have already been notified that the device is currently under development and everyone is using it at risk.)
If the government agencies don't see things as I do, then I guess I'm wrong. But based on the test data that I've seen (and more importantly, the data that I haven't seen), I still would not use one of these products even if the government approves of it's use.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're talking about medical devices? As in things what go inside people? Let me know if I'm way off.

There are (hopefully) multiple levels of review above you considering your junior engr. status, especially if your industry is regulated by the government (FDA?)

If you're truly worried about things then you need to make as big a noise as it takes. Certainly keep in mind your career and reputation, but you should not be in a position where you cannot sleep well at night. No (reasonable) amount of money is worth that.

 

[bvanhiel]

Companies are not run for the benefit of the end-user, hence, no company makes decisions based on the end-users best interests. They make decisions based on the bottom line, and if creating the perception of a caring, law-abiding corporation makes them more money, then that's the tack they'll take. The FDA (assuming this is indeed a medical product) is what restrains this unfettered capitalism. We have laws to more closely align the goals of the corporation with those of the public.

Unless they are going so far as to falsify test results I'd keep my mouth shut and leave. If they are breaking the law that's one thing, but otherwise they are just being "shrewd". You will find that most medical startups have the same goal: develop the product far enough to sell the company to someone with real resources.

These guys sound like they're only in it for the short term, so they don't have any incentive to look after you. That's the real reason to leave.

-b

 

[Ashereng]

Hmmm. Which battle you should fight?

When someone tells me about which battle I should fight, it usually means not the current one that they are in.

If they are right, then they wouldn't be bothered by your questions. If they are wrong, that is usually when they care about questions. Doesn't that sound much more likely?

Your lack of experience should not matter if you have the correct answer, or if you are asking the correct question.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[mechman7]

First, thanks for all the suggestions and feedback.

I have pursued a couple of new opportunities recently and had no problems explaining my current situation. I just had to practice a little bit before hand on what I truly wanted to say (I went solely on facts, no speculation).

I have since interviewed with a company about 3 weeks ago, and have had multiple conversations with the HR rep (not the engineering manager) since then. I have been told that I am a strong candidate, but they still had some more in-person interviews to conduct (their process seems to be phone screen, then in-person interview) and that I could expect to know more by next week.
I am worried that I was one of the first candidates to interview and since the process has taken 3+ weeks that the more recent candidates will be more fresh in the Hiring Manager's eyes (maybe I’m being forgotten about?)
I would like to send an e-mail to the engineering manager stating something to the effect that I am still highly interested in the position.

This seems like a reasonable idea, am I overlooking anything?

 

[johnsmith2]

Sure, you need to send the manager e-mail to re-state your strong interest and why you are situable to them.

Keep us posted!