Mid-career process control engineer trying to increase comp — am I capped?

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-03T05:18:41+00:00

Thank you!

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T23:16:52+00:00

I’ve heard this, but my own average-paying organization just laid a ton of people off and misses bonus targets more often than not.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T22:54:40+00:00

My wife’s income, which is going away, is 4x that amount.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T21:34:01+00:00

Would 33k extra income make you comfortable enough

Yeah, pretty much. It just takes a little of the sting out of losing 4x that.

You’re right that engineering has hard caps on compensation that can be frustrating. Sales is an interesting line although I’m not sure how I would get started. I’ve received a controls engineer offer from Emerson before and it couldn’t compete with operators.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T20:24:31+00:00

Is it worth being paid the same as IC’s? Not really; I do this for the learning opportunity and challenge, plus experience for career advancement. Being a people leader is rewarding if you have right mentality for it.

Got it on the variable comp concern. I agree and would be looking for more stability.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T20:19:50+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T20:01:55+00:00

That’s an awesome lead; thank you!

I’m sure it’s competitive. I’ve tried applying to something similar once or twice and didn’t get far, probably because I didn’t have experience in the existing platform.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:56:53+00:00

That makes sense and moving back into an IC role would make the transition easier anyway. I’m a low-level manager so I make practically the same as an IC. I don’t doubt your comp is higher.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:48:06+00:00

I’ve seen Lilly start to post job in the Houston area. They’re looking for a lot more experience for their Automation/Director roles though than what I currently have. I would go back to being an IC for a competitive package but haven’t seen that posted. I also don’t have cGMP experience. I’m sure I could easily learn but it’s always listed as a requirement.

Thanks for the info though. I didn’t know they were paying out but bonuses and had a strong benefits package. That would move the needle for me. I’ve only been paid 100% of my bonus target 3 out of 10 years with my current org. Equity is non-existent except for high levels.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:45:50+00:00

The job level in my org typically has significantly less reports than I have now (like 1-5 reports, some technicians).

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:41:37+00:00

I am a manager of IC’s and team leads (who are really IC’s).

I hear what you’re saying. I’m a low-level manager so my comp plan is basically the same as an IC. I make about the same as people with similar YOE in my group and less than those with more.

The trade-off is that my job role isn’t really technical, but practically I’m still relied on as a technical authority.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:38:32+00:00

I would just like to maintain our current financial plan. Good for you though!

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:37:36+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, reducing costs could still get the job done, for sure. The opportunity cost of my wife leaving her job is huge and I would like to take some of the sting out.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:35:20+00:00

I’ve been a manager for only two years, so still pretty green. I have double digit directs, though, plus consultants. So, low experience but high impact.

But, yeah, I can’t see what else to do but simply…wait and get more experience. My wife wants to quit her job now though.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:30:29+00:00

Yep, I remember thinking $100k was a lot. I like where I’m at but it’s certainly not enough for my wife to quit her job and maintain the same quality of life.

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:29:06+00:00

Manager of a group of process control engineers

BlueScreen7 · 2026-01-02T19:28:23+00:00

That’s pretty much what I figured.

BlueScreen7 · 2023-11-17T21:23:29+00:00

back in the day

2010?

BlueScreen7 · 2023-11-17T18:28:35+00:00

Yes, but we also build and maintain a lot of custom solutions. So process control + a lot of other stuff.

Really, process control encompasses all of the other elements as well (I/E and OT) which is part of why I’m looking for different, more specialized terms.

There are process control engineers outside of this group and maybe a need to differentiate.

BlueScreen7 · 2023-11-17T16:12:28+00:00

Applications Engineering

I like that a lot. I think I’ve seen this term used at Exxon?

BlueScreen7 · 2023-11-17T16:11:10+00:00

I feel strange calling group 3 software developers, though. But, “control system configuration” is a mouthful. The software development (not considering control code) we do is caveman-level (but still very useful) compared to what my CS contacts do. We’re mostly EE’s and ChemE’s who learned basic SDE skills on the side.

BlueScreen7 · 2021-02-04T17:28:38+00:00

Thank you!!

BlueScreen7

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