Working abroad from the UK

[TechyC]

I was hoping to get some information on working in other countries. I have a MEng from Durham University and am currently working towards CEng through the IMechE. I work in the aerospace industry but heavily biased towards manufacturing engineering. I’ve been told that the only reason to go for CEng is if you intend to move abroad where engineers are better respected higher paid etc, hence this has always been the plan. However from reading posts in this forum it seems the deal seems equal wherever you live.

Does anyone have any advice on the best places to look for work when I get my CEng I don’t want to sound very materialistic but I’d like to travel more and get paid for what I do. (oh and I speak a fair bit of French German and Italian)

Before anyone says that engineering is a vocation etc etc I do love my job. If I wanted money at the expense of all else I’d be an investment banker.

Oh and I’m a girl - that might matter in some places.

 

[Ussuri]

If you are going to move abroad you need to identify where you wish to go. The CEng status may not been seen as a qualification in some countries.

If you want to work in Europe I would suggest getting your CEng and then Getting your Eur Ing status as this is a far more recoqnised qualification on the continent. Once you have your CEng you dont need to do any more reviews, just pay more money. The Eur Ing is administered by FEANI.

http://www.feani.org/

I think in general Professional Engineers are respected more on the continent, and probably do get more pay, but I dont think the difference is astronomical, but I could be mistaken.

The states doesn't recognise the CEng status at all so I think you would have to go through the PE route as per any other candidate.

 

[bvanhiel]

There is no aerospace specialization of the PE. Most US engineers outside of the building/plant construction industry do not have PE certification. Depending on how respected your university is in the area you wish to work, you may consider getting a MS at a US university. A US degree will make you more marketable to US companies by giving them a familiar university name to rate the quality of your education.

-b

 

[KENAT]

If you're thinking of the US then there are many immigration issues probably more problematic than your qualifications. Also not presumably being a US citizen would make employment in aerospace difficult due to the tie in with defense and clearance issues.

I'm starting to think what bvanhiel is saying may be true. My BEng from Southampton doesn't count toward EIT/PE in California.

I'm thinking of getting an American Qualification to make myself more appealing (see my post on the subject)

Out of interest why not RAes for aerospace?

 

[ajack1]

Try airbus they are always hiring and if you speak French HQ is in Toulouse, a great city.

http://www.airbus.com/en/careers/

 

[GregLocock]

Toulouse is a terrific town.

TechyC you'll easily get a job in Australia. Pay rates are better than in the UK, and lifestyle has a few (grin) advantages. Pubs aren't as good.

I'd hang around and get the CEng, it won't do any harm.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[MedicineEng]

Last week or so I saw in a newspaper that airbus wanted to hire engineers for its factory in North Germany ( I believe where they make A380) and they were facing difficulties because german engineers didn't want to move from South of Germany to North and thus they were considering hiring from other countries.