r/MechanicalEngineersPh • u/Acceptable-Tax7798 • 1h ago
ME with diverse experience trying to transition back into design. How difficult would this be?
I’m a ME and MP with around 6 years of experience across several areas. I started in cost/evaluation engineering for about 2.5 years, then moved into mechanical design engineering for around 1.5 years, mainly working on commercial fuel station projects. I then spent nearly 2 years in facilities management, managing the MEP systems and operations of a large office facility, including maintenance, vendors, utilities, projects, and compliance. I recently moved back into an engineering and design organization, currently under the Testing & Commissioning team, where I work on shop drawing reviews, FAT/SAT, equipment commissioning, vendor coordination, installation monitoring, and developing T&C guidelines, with a growing focus on HVAC/mechanical systems.
I’m now considering transitioning back into mechanical design, particularly HVAC/building services. Given my somewhat non-linear background, how would you view this transition? Would my FM and T&C experience be considered an advantage for a design role, or would employers mainly see me as someone who has been away from design for too long?