Choice between Chief Engineer or Project Manager (non Technical) 1

[lonecrusader]

I apologize for a long winded post, but I wanted to provide as much information, I could. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

All,

I have personally benefited a lot from this forum in last 9-10 years of my engineering career. However, now I am at a cross road in my career. Your advice based on your experiences will help me a lot between Chief Engineer / Systems Engineer role and a NON-technical Project Manager role.

A little background on me

BS - Mechanical Engineering 2001
MS - Mechanical Engineering 2003
MBA - Finance and Marketing 2012
Current Job Title - Staff Mechanical Engineer (Medical Device Industry)
Aspirations: Leading a Product Development Company in 20-25 years from now.

I have had a decent career with increasing roles and responsibilities in mechanical engineering (new product Development) for last 9 years, of which last 6 years in Medical Devices. After 9 years, I personally feel I should diversify my skill set and move beyond just Mechanical Design.

My current company is going through major reogranization with significant changes in departments and overall work culture. My current department Head (Lets call him Mr. X) personally asked for my interest in a new role in new organization. He offered two choices, a chief engineer/systems engineer role (purely technical but with mechanical, electrical and Software exposure) and a Project Manager role (more commercial and no technical). Given my background and interest in Project Management, Mr. X was more inclined in me picking chief engineer/systems engineer role and then get into Technical Project Manager role (different from what is currently offered). He presented all the good points of the Chief Engineer's / systems engineer's role and why current open PM role may not be appropriate for me. Towards the end of discussion, he mentioned that should I consider Chief Engineer role, I should stay in that role for maximum 2-3 years and then move into Techanical Project Manager role. As I was about to leave, he did also mention that I should not loose on an opportunity just waiting for a perfect opening.

Given my background, inkling to utilize my skill set learnt in B-school and long term goal, I am confused as to what I should be doing. Yes money is a big factor, but I do not anticipate too much variation (+/- $5-10K) between a Chief Engineer role or current PM role opening. One option leads me deep in technical role and other option opens up my skill set. I am not afraid of challenge but it appears my department head thinks that I might face too many challenges. At the same time, I dont want to take a path without having your input based on your experiences and regret later.

Your insight will greatly help.

Lonecrusader

 

[kingnero]

Question however becomes, is he thinking in my best interest or is he looking to fill roles within his organization and does not want me to go to other department.

In my (limited) experience, they seldom are making decisions based on your best interest. [sarcasm] A boss ain't no boss unless he's got a hidden agenda. [/sarcasm]
As I've always worked the mechanical/engineering side of things, I cannot give you advice about PM role. Working on my own part-time forces me however to undertake a shot at it.

 

[Overvoltage]

I think it's obvious here that if you're wanting to "move up", you should take the Chief Engineer job. It seems that both your manager and Mr X have both made it abundantly clear that the PM role either won't be available soon, or you won't be chosen for it (or both).

If you want to stay with the company, either take the Chief Engineer job or stay in your current position. However, if you turn down this promotion, I wouldn't expect any "opportunities" to open up in the future at this company.

Otherwise, if you have to go into PM, you'll probably have to go elsewhere.

But, maybe that's just the coffee talking...

 

[KENAT]

I'm just amazed that a company still exists where management is pushing the technical route instead of project management, I thought they were history. From what you say it seems that at least the immediate choice is fairly easy to make. Everything seems to be pointing to the technical role.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[lonecrusader]

Yes, the company seems to be pushing for technical role.

I asked around within the company with few trusted sources. It appears, there is a dire need for few Chief Engineers / Systems Engineer and hence apparent push. It appears general perception is Project Managers come Dime a Dozen and one bad project (for whatever reason - even beyond control), as PM, can banish the individual to that position/title with the company forever. In other words upward movement is next to impossible. However, at the same time most of the current Directors have risen up through PM roles. On the flip side systems engineers have been at the same title / role for 7-10 years, even after successful projects. There seems to be a cieling / plateau. Part of it could be content and satisfaction with job. I dont know!

I could potentially say yes to Systems role, do it for few years (say 2-3 years) and then again try to push for management role with increased cross functional knowledge base (that I may be lacking due to my current Mechanical Engineer role). The positive I see is if and when I lead teams, I will have much broader knowledge and experience and can appreciate interdependencies and engineering pitfalls. On the flip side, as time progresses will a Chief Engineer / SYstems Engineer role take me out of consideration from a PM/director role in other medical device companies?

 

[KENAT]

I'm not sure it will be much more difficult to switch to a PM role from a systems engineer position than from a mechanical engineer position. If anything on average I'd expect it might be an easier shift.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​