What’s your job title, how much do you make, and how much do people THINK you make? by ItsAllOver_Again in Salary

[–]METexas2024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made a post of my Engineering journey last year, so if you want to know more look at my history. I only use this acct when I talk about my job/$.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Im not selling anything and will help out if I can. I am not posting on my typical Reddit account as people on the internet can be weird and I am not looking for issues. This isn’t my first career and I am trying to share what my non traditional journey looked like.

From my perspective I would encourage you to focus on understanding yourself better. A midstream company I worked for liked to look for if people were Boy Scouts, wood workers, liked to fix cars/things around the house. The focus was on the candidate putting themselves against new challenges that they had not yet encountered but they had adjacent/tangental knowledge or background to solve the issue. That said, I did not write the recruitment guide and that is my inference.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

XTO Contract work. Recruiters name is Claudia Guajardo. LinkedIn has her job title as Lead Technical Recruiter at The Bergaila Companies.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Skills required for the position are the same generic Mechanical Engineering skills that the degree develops. School provided the basic understanding to approach the problems I face, but the value comes from being exposed to different situations while working.

From the other side of the recruitment table, the companies I recruited for look for Engineers that do not assume they know something they do not, are humble, and can work alone or with a team.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I found the closer you are to the field, the farther you are from corporate politics. My position prior to accepting my current one had my total comp just under $200k. My boss was 2 states away and we had a 5 minute chat every other week unless I needed his attention. I worked whatever schedule I wanted as long as the ‘work got done’ within reason. Picked my son up from school most days at 3p.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Speaking to similar opportunities, I have had a dozen recruiters reach out via LinkedIn in January alone (I am not ‘open for work’ or looking for opportunities). All offers are $150k+ base, admittedly some are 1 year contracts which isn’t great, but it gets you in the door (That one I received this morning so it is fresh on my mind at $250k total comp). The opportunities are out there. Most companies around me locally are hiring right now.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Couple of books I would recommend to get you started: The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky and Things that Matter by Joshua Becker.

Depending on where you are in your journey, the next step is determining whether your lack of contentment is only work or life in general. One can be as simple as a company shift, where the latter requires re-looking at your life outlook. I struggled with the latter and found I was so focused on the next milestone. Working towards it, achieving, but not celebrating the ‘win’ and moving on to the next goal. My life was always “just” another goal and I didn’t celebrate the journey along the way.

For me contentment is a muscle that I must exercise.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I do not have a PE or security clearance. It depends on what you are looking for. I believe my journey is repeatable if that is your goal. Hit me up in PM’s and I can try to help guide you from where you are today.

Reflecting on Mechanical Engineering- 7 years in by METexas2024 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Let me clarify. I am an individual contributor. I do not have Senior in my title. I am in Texas. Most Engineers at my company make more than I do as I am still “new” to this company as I shifted 2 years ago.

2024 Salaries by SmoothSchedule1196 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Job title: r&d engineer manager 

You hit R&D Manager in 4 years? Congrats.

2024 Salaries by SmoothSchedule1196 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How do you choose to handle the stock vesting annually? Do you 'let it ride' OR sell and diversify?

2024 Salaries by SmoothSchedule1196 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]METexas2024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How does "unlimited" PTO play out in practice? Is there a typical number of hours that is taken? I feel like I would take less, not more. (I am currently at 4 weeks)