Getting out of the office - design/technical type roles?

[snotrag]

I am in my 2nd job since leaving Uni a few years back, moved from a 'junior' position at a small company to a better job at a bigger outfit, within same industry. I'm enjoying it, glad to be in a safe position and like the job in terms of the people are pleasant enough etc. But it doesnt really 'spark' me. The particular industry doesn't particularly interest me - I've 'fallen' into it and am picking up experience, but its probably not what I want to do forever.

My role is basically product design/development

My issue is - I do not want to be in an office. It just doesn't suit me. I am a practical, hands on person, a problem solver, a 'do-er', good with tools, equipment, machinery etc. I relish every opportunity I get to leave my CAD station and BOMS and go down to the workshop to do some measuring or build a sample.

How could I get out?

I want to be out and about, I can do travel, I can do long hours, I can do cold and wet, much more than I want to do Air conditioned office and gazing into a 21" monitor all day.

I've tried looking at it before, but I don't really know how to start, what to look for, what questions I need to ask myself?

[Munter]

Commissioning Engineer?

I was lucky to do that for a bit. I was setting up water treatment plants. Problem solving, spanner twirling, and a bit of heavy lifting with IT thrown in for good measure. Not to mention keeping the customer happy if things were being trouble.

[snotrag]

Thanks to the member who PM'ed me R.E. this the other week.

Munter - How did you get into that?

I did have a lead last year regarding commisoning for Siemens turbines, but it never led anywhere.

I am looking for some kind of 'field' job really - Commissioning, service, maintenance, inspection etc. No particular field in mind.

How do I get into this? There doesn't seem to be any kind of 'trainee' roles ?

Most roles seem to be IRO 20-30k a year, few years experience in a particular product type/sector.

That is way more than I'm on now - I'd 'train up' for less than that. I AM capable of it.

One thing I don't have is any electrical qualifications - do you think this might be a problem?

[Mobsta]

My comment is probably of absolutely no immediate value and certainly no short term help to you, but it may be worth remembering (for the longer term) that many folk have found their way in life, simply because time passes. With the passing of time comes opportunities you never imagined you would have, or unexpectedly pleasant choices or lateral career moves you couldnt previously have imagined yourself taking.

I couldn't have planned my life at your age. I had no clue, long term. Unless your head is full of feathers, you shouldn't be overly worried about the 'forever' long term you mentioned. Sorry I cant offer any more relevant advice for today, but there will be some truth in the above if you want to move onwards and upwards

[snotrag]

Does anyone have any further advice?

I'm getting frustrated and bored - Sitting at a desk all day is driving me mad.

I dont know how to change though - I don't know what to search for?

I've tried searching for terms such as 'trainee field service' etc etc, but nearly everything seems to be electrical based, or not open at a proper trainee level.

I feel like I am missing my calling - but I don't know how to find what it is?

I'm willing to upsticks and move for a job too within reason, but I can't work out what to look for?

What job for an engineer/technician, who's smart, understands how things work, how they are made, has a massivr thirst for knowledge, excellent practical skills...?

I'm also very good at 'teaching' or demonstrating perhaps. Dealing with people in a technical manner or capacity.

Yours, frustrated of Yorkshire.

[Bodo]

What about application engineer?

You'll help customers implementing a product, which they don't have enough experience with. Think of a tier-2 part for a tier-1 manufacturer.

[Frik]

Agree with Bodo, this is how I escaped the office. I think a general point would be at there's no need to step too far outside your realm of expertise. You don't need to be looking for a different job as much as a company that does different things.

[rog007]

Army; Royal Engineers? Royal Navy; Engineering Branch? Seem to fit your criteria. Good luck!

[shirt]

morning mate,

we've exchanged emails before, but can't for the life of me recall your background.

are you any good on the controls side of things? we have an immediate requirement for a junior controls engineer. it's a development job [R&D] based out here in the sandpit with plenty of opportunity for travel and field work. there is a design/programming element but projects have a fast turnaround so there's a good mix of office, factory, and field work. if you recall i used to hate my old job, but have zero complaints in this one.

we might also have some field type electrical commissioning roles coming up which tend to go to young guys such as yourself. rotation would be 8wks here/on site and 2 weeks home. tax free salary in both cases and ability/attitude/experience counts for more than qualis.

if you're interested, send me a PM.

[Jonny_693]

snotrag said:

Does anyone have any further advice?

I'm getting frustrated and bored - Sitting at a desk all day is driving me mad.

I dont know how to change though - I don't know what to search for?

I've tried searching for terms such as 'trainee field service' etc etc, but nearly everything seems to be electrical based, or not open at a proper trainee level.

I feel like I am missing my calling - but I don't know how to find what it is?

I'm willing to upsticks and move for a job too within reason, but I can't work out what to look for?

What job for an engineer/technician, who's smart, understands how things work, how they are made, has a massivr thirst for knowledge, excellent practical skills...?

I'm also very good at 'teaching' or demonstrating perhaps. Dealing with people in a technical manner or capacity.

Yours, frustrated of Yorkshire.

If you find the answer, I would love to know!

Also Frustrated/stuck in an office programming CNCs. (of Yorkshire)

[rossw46]

Munter said:

Commissioning Engineer?

I was lucky to do that for a bit. I was setting up water treatment plants. Problem solving, spanner twirling, and a bit of heavy lifting with IT thrown in for good measure. Not to mention keeping the customer happy if things were being trouble.

Agreed,it is a pretty good career,and the "not being in the office" factor makes it worth it for me.

Like Mobsta said,this wasn't what I planned on doing,it was just sort of a progression,and some opportunities at the right time.

[snotrag]

Getting more off-forum help again guys - very, very much appreciated.

I've been thinking about where to look.

I've just decided to try and come up with a list of large organisations that may have the types of roles i've been looking for.

Companies I'm looking into already include
Siemens - various parts of.
Then -
Halliburton,
Schlumberger
Which obviously leads into all the other companies I can find that do similar work.

And on a smaller scale, a variety of UK based utility/energy companies - Yorkshire Water seem to be taking on a large number of people in a variety of technical roles which is good.

Does anyone else work for large organisations that use people in technical/field type roles? Could you PM me? I'd like to start this list and then run with it, see what I can come up with. Large national/international scale manufacturing, services, Utilities etc etc.

shirt said:

morning mate,

we've exchanged emails before, but can't for the life of me recall your background.

We have - What you've posted sounds interesting, but all electricallly biased? My background is Engineering Design, from a mechanical, or 'nuts and bolts' slant. I'm sure theres plenty of these roles I could do, but I'm starting to think that having zero experience/qualifications in electronical enginering/electronics might be a big issue???

[shirt]

i thought you were electrically biased? hazy memory, sorry! we have quite a few roles going, i'll take a peek at the current vacancies and fire something across.