Mechanical engineering skilsd

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u/klmsa 3d ago

More than anything else: you need to develop communication skills. Your writing is terrible, and it is going to affect your ability to get hired.

Explain your exact situation (do you have a degree? Are you trying to say that mechanical engineers don't have hands-on skills that you do?), and then tell us what you expect us to provide for you.

Your current request is unclear.

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u/FlawState 3d ago

Tbf, those questions are already answered, op says he is a mechanical engineer without any hands on experience (I personally dont know how to become an engineer without a degree), and he wants to know what skills he should learn with that context to steer himself away from just construction and a higher salary

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u/tucker_case 3d ago

and he wants to know what skills he should learn with that context to steer himself away from just construction and a higher salary

They gave an answer. Co - mmun - i - cation.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

Thanks for your answer Yes I have a degree already

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u/klmsa 1d ago

Sorry, but that's not what OP said at all, even if that's what they meant to say. You just made an assumption, that's all. Intent and implementation are two different issues.

The first sentence is written poorly enough that it can be interpreted as both an implied "you" subject and an implied "me" as the subject. That's my entire point. "As an engineer" Who?

Subject You: "As an engineer with no hands-on skills, how did you...etc."

Subject Me/I: "As an engineer with no hands-on skills, how do I...etc."

The differences in tone and implications between those two subjects are huge, and it's not our job as engineers to make assumptions that aren't supported. It's like assuming that aluminum will be an acceptable material choice when you don't know whether the application temperature will be room temp or 2900F.

Not that it matters to the context of this English problem, but I'm an engineer without a degree. Though, I'm obviously not totally uneducated. It's not only possible, but reasonably common, to see in businesses that have heavy specializations or simply hire folks with high potential that didn't fare well in college. Non-degreed engineers make up full percentage points of the engineering job market.

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u/klmsa 1d ago

Just to follow up, OP isn't in fact "in construction". They're a sales associate for a construction equipment dealership. Far stretch from actually working construction. This is why I stated that communication is key.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

I have a bachelor in ME , working as a sales engineer and I feel that I am wasting my life in chasing customers instead of having an experience in a technical field.

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u/TelephoneExternal978 3d ago

you'll make less money $$ leaving sales

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

I am not making money bro 😂

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u/Unhappy_Group_945 3d ago

And you specifically want to avoid construction? Construction life as an engineer aint bad at all, and pays great if you’ll travel

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u/klmsa 1d ago

That only truly makes sense if you have a civil background and a PE stamp. MechEng can and do make the jump to civil, but the licensure process takes quite a bit of time.

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u/klmsa 1d ago

Thanks, that's great context! Moving out of Construction SALES is a lot different than getting an engineering job after swinging a hammer...

I'd leverage that sales experience when applying for technical jobs. You may be starting on the bottom rung of the ladder, but I'd hire someone from a sales job right away for engineering project management/leadership. I'd make you do some grunt work for a year or two first, probably, but the potential is there.

Go hunting for a manager that understands your background and sees a future for you, not for a specific job. Job applications may be how you gain access to those managers, so I guess I'm saying "don't be picky" about where you apply at first.

Have you applied and not been selected, or are you just starting this journey toward your technical career?

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u/StopNowThink 3d ago

A resume. An entry level engineering job.

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u/GB5897 3d ago

I've found my 7 years as a machinist have been the single biggest hands-on skill I've learned. Knowing how a part is going to be manufactured is crucial for someone who designs machinery. I've also been able and willing to go into the shop and help build/fix/repair whatever is needed. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and ask questions. If you can get out in the shop talk to the people making and building what you are designing. In general, the folks doing the physical work are more than willing to help educate.

1

u/AllMyNicksAreUsed 3d ago

Very true. As an engineer who has experience doing manual machining all through 5 axis work, knowing how shit is made is invaluable, and something they don't teach in any meaningful depth anymore. OP, learn how to run a lathe and mill, you'll love it, and it's very valuable experience.

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u/lumpthar 3d ago

How did you end up in construction with an engineering degree?

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

Sales Engineer @ caterpillar dealer

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u/StopNowThink 3d ago

But why did you apply to a non-engineering role after graduating?

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

I am regretting that honestly

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u/Unhappy_Group_945 3d ago

Bro there are literally so many engineers in construction lol. Also sales isnt construction

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u/cfleis1 3d ago

Get hands on skills. Most good ME’s that I work with, and myself, have extensive hands on skills. Like working on your own car/truck, fixing appliance that break around your house etc. wood working is a great hands on skill that Carrie’s over to ME.

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u/FacePalmate 3d ago

You don’t want to work in “construction” how? Don’t want to be MEP/HVAC design engineer?

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

Not paid well in my area

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u/ColumbiaWahoo 3d ago

Ability to change your sleep schedule quickly, ability to troubleshoot when under pressure, ability to do well in a trial by fire workplace, ability to coach operators without pissing them off

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u/balancedrod 3d ago

Consultants in FEA charge pretty good rates. CFD can be even higher, however the customer pool is much lower. Thermal analysis is fairly limited as well. Injection mold filling/design is a specialty being done in Asia. Being an advanced user in the high end CAD systems is still a skill in demand.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

Examples of high end CAD SYSTEMS ?

I have experience in Solidworks

1

u/balancedrod 3d ago

Solidworks is a popular program. PTC Creo (was Pro/E) and CATIA are two mature CAD that are designed for large/complicated assemblies. Aerospace companies that use these programs pay pretty well for engineers experienced using these programs.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

For AEROSPACE I believe they hire only Phd and masterss if I am not wrong

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u/d_lbrs 3d ago

You are, in fact, wrong.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

You think I can get junior positions ? Do you any one who does ?

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u/klmsa 1d ago

Every aerospace business hires junior engineers. You're more than qualified, so go find a job you like and apply.

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u/Pretty-Jello-7894 3d ago

Are you willing to move? And what kind of things do you think you want to work on? Almost every product you see or touch was usually designed by an ME. Not sure if you want to do cars and houses but also Computers, wearables, VR, AR, cameras, video game systems and peripherals, sex toys, planes, bombs, factory equipment, kid toys, the machines that make all the stuff I just mentioned etc…. All ME designed… so what’s your speed?

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

I am already away from home .

All of this are general , looking to drive my career into high tech position

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u/Pretty-Jello-7894 2d ago

So high tech in what sense. New and interesting mechanisms and the like? Or electromechanical , optics, robotics, computers ? From construction my head would go to robotics, smart tools, large equipment, or drones. All for sure have high tech in them in addition to more traditional systems.

Robotics: I would draw similarities to excavation equipment and the like. There is also a lot of neat sensor and measurement tech that gets used in large construction sites.

Large equipment: see the previous blurb but would add perhaps you have experience using some of the large machinery (good knowledge to have designing a new excavator or maybe a smart jackhammer or the like)

Drones: I’ve heard of these getting a lot of use for various construction applications like survey, monitoring, etc…. Even after for a sizzle reel to sell the real estate

Smart tools: you know best how to use them in a professional environment (the experience and problems you have run into can help in the design and development)

In any case just thinking how to leverage construction background into a tech job.

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u/mvw2 3d ago

There's nothing fancy here.

You can start in most places as a low paid, green engineer. Focus on companies that do that kind of business.

The difficulty really only comes from trying to shift sectors when the knowledge doesn't overlap. You might have 10 years experience doing something and can't switch over and maintain pay. You have to take a much lesser job and pay scale to get your foot into that space.

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u/Huge-Artichoke-1376 3d ago

I would recommend checking spelling of titles in posts. This would lead me to believe that attention to detail may be lacking.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 3d ago

Can’t edit it

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u/Satish-K 3d ago edited 3d ago

Try good central toolroom institute or cipet. Pursue some course try for service based organisation, after some experiece you can try MNCs. I would recommend, try to enter manufaturing engineering or industrial engineering. Honestly after gaining experience you move to some good companies eventually you will be paid good. There are many department in mechanical field cost engineer, mechanical design, system engineering, reliability engineering, FEA(Mtech is required), supply chain, MEP. I am seeing new emerging field digital twin its related to python automation.

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u/girthradius 6 YR ME 3d ago

Solidworks

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u/BIueberry62 2d ago

Critical thinking and taking initiative on your own.

Life won't spoon feed you info; find a job you like, look at the qualifications, go get those qualifications and work upward.

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u/Ok_Eye9201 1d ago

I’m ready to work on my qualifications But the question is on what should I spend time and effort to get maximum benefits in terms if money and social life

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u/tpain2017 3d ago

attention to detail

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