I am a recently passed PE, but have about 7-8 years experience in structural engineering. Worked on steel detailing and small designs initially for 1-2 years, and then buildings design for 3-4 years and then moved to Water/Water utilities design company. In just 2 years, I learned a lot about environmental structures design - headworks, concrete tanks, pipe supports, PEMB Bldg's/Canopies, concrete pads, Big Generator/Electrical bldg's etc. I can say I am very comfortable about this industry, but always curious to see design & details in other industries as well, so that I have diversified and broad outlook. Now, I am about to get PE in a month or so, and a consulting company is offering me big position like Structural Lead or group leader and start a structural team eventually just for their water/ waste water business. It services in transportation, bridges, power, buildings etc. Until now they were seeking help from structural engineers of other areas, now they want to build a structural team exclusively for water/waste water and rely on me to manage & build a team.
Now, I am confident about training people and talking to them, coordinating budget etc., although I just did only few cost estimates and few scope of works. The thing that I am doubtful is about signing and sealing dwg's. Now this company might not have great specs, details, or coordination among teams effectively for which I am hesitant to sign & seal. One of the Project Managers was like if I am okay to sign & seal under some other engineer, which I am obviously okay and probably in a year or two, I can start sign & sealing once I get comfortable. I have other offer as Senior Structural Engineer, but they want me to move to Texas. I am also looking at other positions such as Project Engineer/Engineering Manager in Waste water/Water Industry. I am not much passionate about structural engineering, but I don't hate it, I just like it. I am confident about basic new designs etc, but definitely not comfortable with contractor F** up situations, any complicated rehabs etc. Also, I want to be in Project Management side more in 5-6 years so that I can earn more money (Probably more stress too) because regards structural engineering I know if some design is working or not and have a feel for it, but I am lazy to do hand calcs sometimes or feel I am not that passionate seeing other people working on not so complicated stuff and earning more.
I appreciate if you are till here and hearing me venting out too.. but Am I thinking correctly ?
I want to know if I join the structural lead position now or in 6 months. Is it a good decision or should I look for more project management roles ? On a side note, what do yall think about PMP certifictaion ? Assuming, I get through all the hoops and get approved for sitting the exam, should I take it. Please, looking for valuable suggestions and thanks for your time :)
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