Change in Engineering Direction

[Scoobystu]

I have been working as a design engineer for the last 4 1/2 years in the light engineering sector. Although I enjoy my job most of the time I am considering a move into building engineering. I think (although I am basing this on work I did in between engineering jobs when working on building sites) that I would enjoy working on buildings rather than small components.

I know that building companies wouldn't be interested in me at the moment as I have a BENG in Mech Engineering and am considering doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Building Services Engineering.

For those of you out there who work in the building industry do you think I would stand a chance of getting a job if I gained a post grad qualification. I would be happy enough to take a pay cut if it meant working at something I enjoyed.

 

[ctopher]

Have you only been doing mechanical engineering? If so, I suggest taking courses in Arch or some type of building/contractor.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[Scoobystu]

I have mainly been designing machines and components but would like to get away from that if possible.

The course I am thinking of doing is a two year distance learning course which covers, Introduction to Construction Technology; Air Conditioning; Building Acoustics; Energy Studies; Contracts and Procurement; Economics and Finance in the Built Environment; Project Management. It costs about £1000.

Am wondering if it would be enough to change direction. I would be about 32-33 when I finished it.

 

[ctopher]

Seems like your headed in right direction. Also study building codes, maybe even do some side part time construction work for experience.
I did the same type of design as you for a while, but was very hard to get back into it. A lot of that type of engineering is contracted out and is hard to get a job with them unless you have arch/civil eng degree/experience.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[JAE]

I would suggest you find a couple of engineers who practice in the areas you are interested in and seeing if you can get a discussion with them as to what they would be looking for in hiring, what credentials they look for, etc. If you make it plain to them that you aren't out sniffing for a job yet...just looking for some qualified advice, you might get some good insights.

 

[Sparweb]

Scoobystu,

Hopefully this won't sidetrack you, but I'm curious: Why you are trying to get away from component design? I find myself drawn toward it.

STF

 

[Slugger926]

I would think your Mechanical Engineering would be an asset for a building company that also had HVAC work required. And think of a building as a large machine that doesn't move as well.

 

[Scoobystu]

I am looking to change as I am getting fed up with sitting at a CAD station all day. I thought it might just be the place I work in but when I looked for another similar position I realised that it's not what I want to do.

 

[ctopher]

Eventually all design professions will be sitting in front of a CAD station, most are already.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[PSE]

Scoobystu,

For essentially the same reasons, I went the manufacturing/industrial route in my career. I am definitely not in front of a PC all day and I get to work on a variety of problems. It is never dull to see what happens with a new design once you throw some volume at it along with a variety of people working on it.

Just curious as to whether it is the attraction of potentially working on "systems" instead of component level design or is it project scale that makes you interested in doing buildings?

Regards

 

[davidinindy]

I'm considering the same type of change. I'm tired of the uncertainties of being directly linked to manufacturing. I belong to a career networking group, and there are a half dozen mechanical designers in the group, and not a single architectural, civil or industrial designer. That's tellign me that those industries may be a little more stable. I hate not knowing if I'm going to have a job next week.
I'm having trouble even getting an architectural firm to return my calls. I'm not asking them for a job. I'm asking them to call me to give me some professional input on the best steps to take to make the transition.
What kind of fedback are you getting?

David
Just an out-of-work designer... Again!
Tired of the drama!

 

[DonPE]

I, too, am considering moving out of circuit design into building engineering. There seems to be more stability in that industry, perhaps because the PE is actually respected/needed in that industry...I don't know for sure. I do worry that I'm suffering from "the grass is greener" syndrome, so to that end, I'm also trying to get informational interviews from engineers in the field. I don't want my next 10 years of employment to be like my first 10.

I am taking AutoCAD courses right now, which seems to be the standard. Any other insight from those in the industry would be appreciated.

 

[bme0319]

Check-out medical/orthopedics - instruments and implants. The industry is booming and it is very exciting and satisfying work (in my opinion).