Career change into Automotive Engineering ?

[Blacknight]

I am currently a Semiconductor R&D engineer working in process development. I have been at it for 10 years and growing tired of the industry and wanting to move on to something different. I am very interested in the automotive field as I am a certified car junkie.

I am having a hard time finding a way into the automotive industry. I don't exactly qualify for college grad or intern positions with 10 years of engineering experience, yet I don't seem to compete very well with other applicants that have a lot of automotive experience. All of my work experience is in semiconductor. I do however have a lot of experience with cars (repairing, modifications, auto-X driving).

Any suggestions or getting my foot in the door? So far I am mainly focusing on working major companies such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[GregLocock]

Apply to an electronic Tier One supplier where your semiconductor experience is relevant. Then move out of your semiconductor job there into a system design job, from which you should find it relatively easy to transition to an OEM, again as electronic system design. Then your next step is to take whatever other job takes your fancy.

OK, I appreciate that 4 job moves is maybe not quite the answer you were hoping for!



Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[Blacknight]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately I am not a EE designer. I am a materials engineer working at process development. I have a great deal of experience in my field but none of it terribly relevant to automotive.

 

[GregLocock]

Oh well, apply the same strategy. Basically what I am saying is use your current expertise to get into a tier one, then get into a job that has a direct equivalent at an OEM, then move across to an OEM. From there onwards your career path is pretty much open, particuarly if you want to work in manufacturing, they like moving people around between different areas.

Alternatively - we do have process engineers by the bucketful, and we do have materials engineers (not many of the latter).


Cheers

Greg Locock