Contract Engineer

Off Topic
1

I have an interview (good) coming up with a contract (bad) engineering firm. I would be working on projects for a large construction equipment manufacturer (good). I’ve been told it’s a 6mo contract position (bad) with the opportunity to be hired on as a full-time employee (good, but of course they always say this).

I currently work at a small company (bad) where I make a salary that is equivalent to a post-grad salary (bad). Labor day this year will be my 2 years so I am quickly outgrowing my salary. I did receive our companies standard raise of $xxxx which amounted to 2.9%â?¦barely above inflation (bad).

The new position would pay about 20% more than I make now (great) but it is HOURLY pay (good I suppose) and I would also get paid for my time, so I would be paid for 50hrs/week if I worked for that amount of time.

Does anyone here have experience working as a contract engineer? I can’t feel good with a mortgage knowing that I may be in a WORSE position in 6mo looking for a job, being unemployed.

I am not going to entertain the “you have to enjoy what you do” BSâ?¦work is work, make the most money you can in order to provide the best for you and your family.

these are the criteria I am most concerned about;
income
stable position with a future
opportunity to move up, and make more money
experience

2

Would you be eligible for benefits?

3

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
Would you be eligible for benefits?[/quote]

Yes, but even in his words they aren’t very good. It would be $25/week for a $3k deductible. And it also looks like 401k match of 25% of first 6% of salary, which is better than my current employer

4

Are you networked with any other engineers or know anything about the companies m.o. for completing large contracts?

Reason I ask is that I hooked up with a company that looked great, said the same stuff, yadda yadda… and found out through one of the other contractors that the company was famous for scooping up a bunch of people, getting a ton of work done, then letting everybody go upon completion.

Sure enough- we knocked out about 20mil. worth of work in about five months and got a pizza party and contract terminated.

5

That’s pretty unethical

6

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:
Are you networked with any other engineers or know anything about the companies m.o. for completing large contracts?

Reason I ask is that I hooked up with a company that looked great, said the same stuff, yadda yadda… and found out through one of the other contractors that the company was famous for scooping up a bunch of people, getting a ton of work done, then letting everybody go upon completion.

Sure enough- we knocked out about 20mil. worth of work in about five months and got a pizza party and contract terminated.
[/quote]

That sucks, I’ call that a “Terminal project contract position” and I am aware of this type of shit. Last Friday I sat down and had an interview with a recruiter who told me about a big biomedical company that is know for massive layoffs, this confirmed what my dad told me a eXcoworkers (engineer) if his who is now working at that same biomedical company said.

I am unsure of really what the reputation of either (engineering firm or the large construction equipment company) is. As with a lot of decisions in life, it will be a gamble, but I could easily see myself accepting the job offer if things work out.

Although the real answer is to probably just go through the interview and see what happens. But I remember hearing, while in school, that contract positions were the norm for young engineers

7

I would ask very specific questions about why they’re looking to fill the position you’re interviewing for. Some companies do contract-to-hire as a standard hiring procedure to see what you can actually do before they commit to you. I got my second job this way, and I was basically in your shoes (worked for small company, got minimal raises on a shit salary, got 25% bump when I made the move).

Honestly though, engineering is pretty booming right now relative to other fields. I’d take the salary bump and if they don’t renew your contract (or try to hire you direct) a month or so before it’s up, start looking. There aren’t a whole lot of young engineers with experience sitting around looking for work unless they’ve already burned some bridges and earned a bad rep.

8

You say it pays 20 percent more… do you think that extra income would be enough padding while you look for a new position?

9

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:
Are you networked with any other engineers or know anything about the companies m.o. for completing large contracts?

Reason I ask is that I hooked up with a company that looked great, said the same stuff, yadda yadda… and found out through one of the other contractors that the company was famous for scooping up a bunch of people, getting a ton of work done, then letting everybody go upon completion.

Sure enough- we knocked out about 20mil. worth of work in about five months and got a pizza party and contract terminated.
[/quote]

That sucks, I’ call that a “Terminal project contract position” and I am aware of this type of shit. Last Friday I sat down and had an interview with a recruiter who told me about a big biomedical company that is know for massive layoffs, this confirmed what my dad told me a eXcoworkers (engineer) if his who is now working at that same biomedical company said.

I am unsure of really what the reputation of either (engineering firm or the large construction equipment company) is. As with a lot of decisions in life, it will be a gamble, but I could easily see myself accepting the job offer if things work out.

Although the real answer is to probably just go through the interview and see what happens. But I remember hearing, while in school, that contract positions were the norm for young engineers
[/quote]

Yeah, as with a lot of things, it is a gamble. Risk is that in 6 mos. you’re looking for a job in a field with high demand. Rewards can be- wider variety of experience, bump up the pay bracket, making a bunch of new connections etc. Probably many others that I can’t think of right now too.

Not engineering, but I bounced around a little and widened my range a good bit, connected with some good people and learned a lot in the process. It’s also just good for the feels to know that you have a more dynamic skill set than the guy who has been in a somewhat more confined career track. If I were stuck for ten years doing the same mundane shit day in and day out I would chew through my own neck.

Stability is nice, but so is range and experience.

10

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
I would ask very specific questions about why they’re looking to fill the position you’re interviewing for. Some companies do contract-to-hire as a standard hiring procedure to see what you can actually do before they commit to you. I got my second job this way, and I was basically in your shoes (worked for small company, got minimal raises on a shit salary, got 25% bump when I made the move).

Honestly though, engineering is pretty booming right now relative to other fields. I’d take the salary bump and if they don’t renew your contract (or try to hire you direct) a month or so before it’s up, start looking. There aren’t a whole lot of young engineers with experience sitting around looking for work unless they’ve already burned some bridges and earned a bad rep.[/quote]

Yes, that is my plan. And furthermore since I will be meeting with 3 managers from the large construction company, I will be asking them (not the engineering firm guy) what they are looking for to make sure its not a terminal project timeline and that they are in fact looking to bring someone as a full employee.

Talking to my dad last night he said it wouldn’t be detrimental to my career to stay at my small company for another few years. I disagree with this because right now I use AutoCAD, but I don’t have my hands on the 3D design software. The only experience I have with 3D/solidworks was when I was in school (and it was quite extensive) so every minute that passes I am only getting further and further away from my relevant 3D design software experience. So for this reason, I need to get back into the 3D stuff cause that is what I want to do, I want to build, create, fix, design, and revise current designs.

I want to be an engineer, not a project manager/engineer (my current position).

11

[quote]1 Man Island wrote:
You say it pays 20 percent more… do you think that extra income would be enough padding while you look for a new position?[/quote]

that is definitely what I would be doing saving up for a potential gap in unemploymentâ?¦.I haven’t been able to save up the 6mo living expenses that everyone says you need to do in your 20s, but I have been putting in $150/mo of my money into my 401K so I am looking out for my future.

I mean for fucks sake, I hit a damn deer yesterday leaving work and I need a new radiator on my car. I have the money for it, but not a whole lot extra. In february I nailed a pot hole which resulted in $1100 in damage, I was freaking out cause I didn’t have enough money to handle it, luckily my car insurance took care of $750 of the bill.

another random/related thought. Most of the cars in my companies parking lot are old and beat up, that should be an instant indication of the lack of money! Across the street is a company with a parking lot full of audis, bmws, and newer cars.

12

Sounds pretty much worth it to me, man.

13

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

another random/related thought. Most of the cars in my companies parking lot are old and beat up, that should be an instant indication of the lack of money! Across the street is a company with a parking lot full of audis, bmws, and newer cars.[/quote]

Funny, I always look at that too.

14

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

another random/related thought. Most of the cars in my companies parking lot are old and beat up, that should be an instant indication of the lack of money! Across the street is a company with a parking lot full of audis, bmws, and newer cars.[/quote]

Funny, I always look at that too.

[/quote]
Yeah I always overhear the people at my workplace talking about traveling and buying real estate.

15

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

another random/related thought. Most of the cars in my companies parking lot are old and beat up, that should be an instant indication of the lack of money! Across the street is a company with a parking lot full of audis, bmws, and newer cars.[/quote]

Funny, I always look at that too.

[/quote]
Yeah I always overhear the people at my workplace talking about traveling and buying real estate.[/quote]

Different strata I guess. We usually talk about making bond, last time you did time, and that cheating bitch. And the ever present “My truck can kick your trucks ass…”

I shoulda stayed the course for ME or an AAS in welding science. Although, one engineer I used to catch a smoke with did tell me about buying into Tesla last April.

16

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

another random/related thought. Most of the cars in my companies parking lot are old and beat up, that should be an instant indication of the lack of money! Across the street is a company with a parking lot full of audis, bmws, and newer cars.[/quote]

Funny, I always look at that too.

[/quote]
Yeah I always overhear the people at my workplace talking about traveling and buying real estate.[/quote]

Different strata I guess. We usually talk about making bond, last time you did time, and that cheating bitch. And the ever present “My truck can kick your trucks ass…”

I shoulda stayed the course for ME or an AAS in welding science. Although, one engineer I used to catch a smoke with did tell me about buying into Tesla last April.

[/quote]
LOL I did overhear one guy talking about an experience with the cops rather nonchalantly. Had no idea what he was talking about.

17

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
I have an interview (good) coming up with a contract (bad) engineering firm. I would be working on projects for a large construction equipment manufacturer (good). I’ve been told it’s a 6mo contract position (bad) with the opportunity to be hired on as a full-time employee (good, but of course they always say this).

I currently work at a small company (bad) where I make a salary that is equivalent to a post-grad salary (bad). Labor day this year will be my 2 years so I am quickly outgrowing my salary. I did receive our companies standard raise of $xxxx which amounted to 2.9%â?¦barely above inflation (bad).

The new position would pay about 20% more than I make now (great) but it is HOURLY pay (good I suppose) and I would also get paid for my time, so I would be paid for 50hrs/week if I worked for that amount of time.

Does anyone here have experience working as a contract engineer? I can’t feel good with a mortgage knowing that I may be in a WORSE position in 6mo looking for a job, being unemployed.

I am not going to entertain the “you have to enjoy what you do” BSâ?¦work is work, make the most money you can in order to provide the best for you and your family.

these are the criteria I am most concerned about;
income
stable position with a future
opportunity to move up, and make more money
experience [/quote]
I know you have discussed this in the past, but just a question.

Are you willing to move?

18

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
I would ask very specific questions about why they’re looking to fill the position you’re interviewing for. Some companies do contract-to-hire as a standard hiring procedure to see what you can actually do before they commit to you. I got my second job this way, and I was basically in your shoes (worked for small company, got minimal raises on a shit salary, got 25% bump when I made the move).

Honestly though, engineering is pretty booming right now relative to other fields. I’d take the salary bump and if they don’t renew your contract (or try to hire you direct) a month or so before it’s up, start looking. There aren’t a whole lot of young engineers with experience sitting around looking for work unless they’ve already burned some bridges and earned a bad rep.[/quote]

Yes, that is my plan. And furthermore since I will be meeting with 3 managers from the large construction company, I will be asking them (not the engineering firm guy) what they are looking for to make sure its not a terminal project timeline and that they are in fact looking to bring someone as a full employee.

Talking to my dad last night he said it wouldn’t be detrimental to my career to stay at my small company for another few years. I disagree with this because right now I use AutoCAD, but I don’t have my hands on the 3D design software. The only experience I have with 3D/solidworks was when I was in school (and it was quite extensive) so every minute that passes I am only getting further and further away from my relevant 3D design software experience. So for this reason, I need to get back into the 3D stuff cause that is what I want to do, I want to build, create, fix, design, and revise current designs.

I want to be an engineer, not a project manager/engineer (my current position).[/quote]

One thing to consider is that contract workers are often considered to be workers that can’t land the regular jobs. I am not saying this is true, and many firms are going this route to reduce headaches. Just something to consider.

FWIW, I know you are probably sick of school, but also consider getting some Catia training. This is what most of the bigger companies are using and it is just different enough from Solidworks to keep you from getting those jobs.

All of our bigger clients (Ford, Tenneco, Eaton) use Catia V5

I am a designer using Solidworks and do what you describe as your end goal. You are correct that most engineers are glorified project managers.

19

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
these are the criteria I am most concerned about:
income
stable position with a future
opportunity to move up, and make more money
experience [/quote]

Based on that, I’d stay away from contract work.

I’ve done the small company thing, the big company thing, and the contract thing in the software world. It’s not the same, but I’d venture it’s close enough.

For experience, contract work can be great. Typically (but not always) you get exposure to more newer/better stuff. There’s also great networking opportunities, and you also can get a lot of inside information about what it’s like to work at a lot of different places that you wouldn’t otherwise know until you worked there. Some people enjoy it, some people do it because they can’t get a “real job”.

If you’re going to go down the contracting route… I seriously suggest building yourself a few layers of safety nets financially. The stuff you truly only touch in an emergency. And the stuff you touch in an “emergency”. And figure out how to live on as little as possible. Not because you need to, but as a “just in case”. (I’d only suggest you live that way until you have your emergency funds in place. Mostly, you should just know “how” to live that way, and know what you will/won’t give up for it.)

There are contracting companies that basically abuse their contractors… and there’s some really great ones too. One of the best that I worked for was employee-owned, and I still own private stock in the company even though I no longer work there. They also put a strong emphasis in making sure all their contractors received great job-related training, so in a very real sense, the contracting company was driving a lot of the innovation within their client sites. Their view was that the more experienced you were as an “employee/contractor”, the better it was for their image, so they supported you in that. Most aren’t that way.

There’s benefits to being able to bill and get paid hourly too.

Pretty much… if it’s a shitty contractor, I wouldn’t work for them. If they’re a good contractor, known for treating their employees as employees rather than as disposable assets, I’d consider it.

20

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
I have an interview (good) coming up with a contract (bad) engineering firm. I would be working on projects for a large construction equipment manufacturer (good). I’ve been told it’s a 6mo contract position (bad) with the opportunity to be hired on as a full-time employee (good, but of course they always say this).

I currently work at a small company (bad) where I make a salary that is equivalent to a post-grad salary (bad). Labor day this year will be my 2 years so I am quickly outgrowing my salary. I did receive our companies standard raise of $xxxx which amounted to 2.9%�¢?�¦barely above inflation (bad).

The new position would pay about 20% more than I make now (great) but it is HOURLY pay (good I suppose) and I would also get paid for my time, so I would be paid for 50hrs/week if I worked for that amount of time.

Does anyone here have experience working as a contract engineer? I can’t feel good with a mortgage knowing that I may be in a WORSE position in 6mo looking for a job, being unemployed.

I am not going to entertain the “you have to enjoy what you do” BSÃ?¢?Ã?¦work is work, make the most money you can in order to provide the best for you and your family.

these are the criteria I am most concerned about;
income
stable position with a future
opportunity to move up, and make more money
experience [/quote]
I know you have discussed this in the past, but just a question.

Are you willing to move? [/quote]

yes

but for the time being I can make the commute since I am centrally located in the twin cities metro.