mechanical engineering advice
Discussion
Crusoe said:
If you are just qualifying from a different industry you will be competing with other new engineers, I can get engineering graduates straight from university for £12K a year (oil and gas industry). If they do well they would be on permanent contract for 18k the next year going up to 25-30k after 5 years and then climbing to 40-50K after 10years if they do well and get chartered. A lot of them go chasing the money off shore so we lose a lot after initial training so no point over paying while they are building their experience, though there are always a couple we try to keep. I would say competition is tight with lots of people lacking experience. Easy to find new starts with degrees but hard to find senior engineers with experience without paying a lot more £60k+.
Not surpised, I got paid £12k as an apprentice.Crusoe said:
If you are just qualifying from a different industry you will be competing with other new engineers, I can get engineering graduates straight from university for £12K a year (oil and gas industry). If they do well they would be on permanent contract for 18k the next year going up to 25-30k after 5 years and then climbing to 40-50K after 10years if they do well and get chartered. A lot of them go chasing the money off shore so we lose a lot after initial training so no point over paying while they are building their experience, though there are always a couple we try to keep. I would say competition is tight with lots of people lacking experience. Easy to find new starts with degrees but hard to find senior engineers with experience without paying a lot more £60k+.
Either you are clueless, your company pay less than minimum wage for said 12k employees, and/or a combination of the two.I wouldn't like to be working anywhere near you or the company if your opinion is a shared view across the company.
Crusoe said:
Only seen as I have been trying to get some of their wages increased now they have moved into my group. Just reporting it as I've seen it (senior engineering team leader with almost 20 years in the business)
Sounds like BS...Are these really Engineering Graduates? Or something else?
I'm an Engineering Grad (BEng + MSc both from an RG), and on a Grad Scheme with a starting salary of £28k, and it isn't in the O+G sector.
I can't imagine many willing to accept £12k! That sounds like madness...
stoop44rio said:
OK, whatever the wages they're going to be a step up from present.Now could anyone give me an idea of a mech engineers role off shore as its mentioned thats a 'hands on' role which would suit me better than a office type enviroment.
I work in O&G in Aberdeen (onshore) and the roles for engineering graduates are really varied. There are office based design jobs, project management, field service, quality control, production management and loads more. I have an engineering degree but I'm not an engineer.I guess it depends what you really want to do - what kind of engineering floats your boat?
I work in engine development btw.
You need to have a pretty in depth knowledge of how engines work, including the combustion process and what may affect it. There are seemingly a bajillion variables for this so planning testing that isn't going to go on ad infinitum is a challenge. Especially when you are trying to make gas and diesel burn at the same time and burn nicely.
That aside most of my time is actually spent analysing data, making models and doing engine maps. The actual running of the engine and performing most tests is done by technicians and test cell managers. This is primarily because it is time consuming and dreary and my time is better spent working out how to do things rather than doing them.
Also, regardless of engineering tranche, be prepared to become intimate with Excel and script writing to make those Excel chores go away faster.
You need to have a pretty in depth knowledge of how engines work, including the combustion process and what may affect it. There are seemingly a bajillion variables for this so planning testing that isn't going to go on ad infinitum is a challenge. Especially when you are trying to make gas and diesel burn at the same time and burn nicely.
That aside most of my time is actually spent analysing data, making models and doing engine maps. The actual running of the engine and performing most tests is done by technicians and test cell managers. This is primarily because it is time consuming and dreary and my time is better spent working out how to do things rather than doing them.
Also, regardless of engineering tranche, be prepared to become intimate with Excel and script writing to make those Excel chores go away faster.
MrsMiggins said:
I work in O&G in Aberdeen (onshore) and the roles for engineering graduates are really varied. There are office based design jobs, project management, field service, quality control, production management and loads more. I have an engineering degree but I'm not an engineer.
I guess it depends what you really want to do - what kind of engineering floats your boat?
Precisely - hence my amusement at the comment that 25k is a mad starting wage. 25k is barely enough to run a car, go holidays, drink beers, stay in a decent flat yourself - you could do it all but not without compromising. It is net 1650quid and most likely minus 100 odd for student loan. Let alone save for a house deposit.I guess it depends what you really want to do - what kind of engineering floats your boat?
Anyway, OP sorry to digress, I just don't want one tiny negative comment to put you off. It is very common to earn 50k+ onshore with a bit of experience.
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