Engineer to Project Manager 4

[2jdevine]

I have been offered a job by a current client as a project manager/estimator. It is a very good offer with a 14% increase in salary, some nice perks and possibly very good bonuses.
However, I would not be performing any engineering, or utilizing my license.
While I would not be advancing my engineering, I would be gaining management skills that would be useful.
My question is for those of you who have made this transition:
How feasible is it to make the transition back to the engineering side?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Lomarandil]

Haven't been there, but observations from the outside: I haven't seen it done, except by job change.

I don't know if that's because it's difficult, or grass is greener on the project management side.

 

[truckandbus]

My current supervisor went that route (within the same company). Everyone looks at it as a good thing - becoming more rounded.

My last company, if you left engineering you were dead to the engineering management and if you wanted to get back into an engineering role, you would need to leave the company

 

[IRstuff]

YMMV, and it'll depend on how long you're away, and how rusty you've become, and how much experience you had before you switched. You'd probably wind up with a pay cut if you switched back, since you'd essentially be equivalent, at best, to what you were before you switched out.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[weldstan]

I have known individuals who have made the transition from engineering to Management and back to engineering either with another company or with the same company. These were brilliant engineers and managers who decided that management was no longer for them and enjoyed getting back into development and design.

 

[MotorCity]

I have known individuals who have made this transition. Those that I have witnessed have had no luck with re-entering the technical side of things. The major obstacle is keeping up with the latest codes, technologies, methods, etc. Those things can be a challenge for engineers who do not make the switch. If you do jump into the world of management, you will need to make allowances to keep up with the times (maybe online courses, seminars, and even doing a practice problem every now and then). If you don't use it, you lose it. Good luck

 

[GroovyGuy]

Hi,
I have been blessed with 40 years of engineering experience ,and have had many roles from Junior Engineer thru to Project Manager, Dept Manager, Engineering Manager. But I have had the good luck to work with smaller companies where you get to wear many hats and have had the opportunity to change hats frequently. This allowed me to keep up my technical skills, where as If I had worked exclusively for larger companies, I may have lost that opportunity.

Today I have reverted back to the technical side, as an Engineering Specialist, and have never been happier (plus I earn a lot more money than a Project Engineer).
My advice to any young engineer is; any role is OK as long as you are learning new things, when you stop learning it is time to move on. And oh, have fun while you are doing it.
Anyways that's my story, and it worked for me.

Regards & good luck,
GG

"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." -- Bob Seger

 

[2jdevine]

Thanks all for the input.
After speaking more with the client, they are willing to pay for continuing education, and are open to me doing engineering work on the side.
So, I think I am going to give it a go, and hopefully I'll be able to keep my engineering skills somewhat sharp.
After a year or two, if I find the work doesn't suit me, it sounds like it is not unprecedented to return to design.
Thanks again.

 

[oldestguy]

You must have impressed the new company, which is a good sign that you will be progressing even from that new role, maybe with your own company. However, remember long hours and likely not much hands on engineering, but much better income.