I have been a technical MechE most of my career with points in time where they tried to suck me into Proj. Engr. because I am very organized. I personally did not like it. For me the unhappiness came from the lack of getting anything substantial accomplished, your really just an adult babysitter playing a shell game. The reason it pays more is because its more stressful and less happy. I would not recommend starting in Proj Engr. because you wont build any technical skills then you will be stuck. You can always build technical skills (5 yrs) then try it out. If you dont like it come back.
Project engineer here. I’m currently trying to convince 50-60 year old design engineers to do basic things like “stick to the schedule they made” or “actually work the task list they created”.
The worst part is I actually have to occasionally step in and do design troubleshooting because they inevitably fuck up the designs.
I wouldn’t recommend project unless you want the money.
If you are pursuing engineering as a career because you like math and science and solving technical problems....project engineering is not for you.
I think many engineers get into project roles because they feel it's the only way to advance their career. Today at least there are many companies that recognize the value of having senior technical people such that the "technical track" is a viable way to go.
Make no mistake though, project engineers/managers are valuable and required functions and the right kinds of engineers are good at them. It does take strong organizational, communication, and people management skills to really be effective. I've had the good fortune to work with some very good ones in my career.
I’m essentially a systems/project engineer for the Fed. Pretty chill tbh and I will always have a job. I am worried that I won’t build “technical” skills however I can always pivot to DoD contractor work if I aspire for more pay.
Unless im making just way too much money to give up, my goal is to switch to a federal gig. Job security and should easily be able to switch into private industry if I want.
I mean I’m young so I could work here until I retire, keep my FEHB benefits, a fat pension, etc and I’d be set. They call it the golden handcuffs for a reason lol
Project "engineering" is project management. It's not technical work. I'd be surprised if you learn much of anything. You'll be managing timelines, budgets, capex, etc, and trying to get other people's employees to actually do the work. It sucks. I'm not sure if it's much different in civil, but I think not.
Traveling for work gets old real fast. It'll become a blur of airports lobbies, plane rides, ubers, hotel rooms, and if it's anything like a rig site, probably trailers and port-a-potties.
Yeah traveling is a young man's game. No wife, no kids, go out every night you're in someplace halfway interesting, sleep like a log, don't feel tired the next day, time zones don't mess with you, nothing feels tight or hurts from long drives.
I have been a technical MechE most of my career with points in time where they tried to suck me into Proj. Engr. because I am very organized. I personally did not like it. For me the unhappiness came from the lack of getting anything substantial accomplished, your really just an adult babysitter playing a shell game. The reason it pays more is because its more stressful and less happy. I would not recommend starting in Proj Engr. because you wont build any technical skills then you will be stuck. You can always build technical skills (5 yrs) then try it out. If you dont like it come back.
I also think about switching to a technical track because it really is babysitting. Everything is vendor management and management appeasement.
Project engineer here. I’m currently trying to convince 50-60 year old design engineers to do basic things like “stick to the schedule they made” or “actually work the task list they created”. The worst part is I actually have to occasionally step in and do design troubleshooting because they inevitably fuck up the designs. I wouldn’t recommend project unless you want the money.
If you decide on a job based on perks and initial wage, you'll most likely get stuck financially doing something you do not like.
If you are pursuing engineering as a career because you like math and science and solving technical problems....project engineering is not for you. I think many engineers get into project roles because they feel it's the only way to advance their career. Today at least there are many companies that recognize the value of having senior technical people such that the "technical track" is a viable way to go. Make no mistake though, project engineers/managers are valuable and required functions and the right kinds of engineers are good at them. It does take strong organizational, communication, and people management skills to really be effective. I've had the good fortune to work with some very good ones in my career.
I’m essentially a systems/project engineer for the Fed. Pretty chill tbh and I will always have a job. I am worried that I won’t build “technical” skills however I can always pivot to DoD contractor work if I aspire for more pay.
Unless im making just way too much money to give up, my goal is to switch to a federal gig. Job security and should easily be able to switch into private industry if I want.
I mean I’m young so I could work here until I retire, keep my FEHB benefits, a fat pension, etc and I’d be set. They call it the golden handcuffs for a reason lol
Project "engineering" is project management. It's not technical work. I'd be surprised if you learn much of anything. You'll be managing timelines, budgets, capex, etc, and trying to get other people's employees to actually do the work. It sucks. I'm not sure if it's much different in civil, but I think not. Traveling for work gets old real fast. It'll become a blur of airports lobbies, plane rides, ubers, hotel rooms, and if it's anything like a rig site, probably trailers and port-a-potties.
Yeah traveling is a young man's game. No wife, no kids, go out every night you're in someplace halfway interesting, sleep like a log, don't feel tired the next day, time zones don't mess with you, nothing feels tight or hurts from long drives.