Unemployed Engineers?

Question

I was just wondering how many engineers are currently looking for jobs and how long have you been looking. Please include your field and experience.

Answer 1

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is hiring! They have over 180 open positions, many of which are for engineers. If you're a good team player, enjoy what you do, and want to be part of a creative team of engineers, you should apply. We're hiring both engineers and engineering techs, mostly EEs, but also a few mechanical, process, and materials folks. http://www.selinc.com/careers/

We're 100% employee-owned, which is cool.

Answer 2

I am 54, no full time job since August 2009 and no contract work since August 2010.  No prospects currently, none on the horizon and I have stopped looking for any engineering jobs. My major was metallurgical, now called "materials science & engineering" but it is really just a new name on an obsolete curriculum.  I advise students to avoid engineering in general due to age discrimination unless they want a short term career.  Also avoid university because it is vastly over-rated, you can get a better career with many two year community college diplomas now.  My wife got her nursing credentials that way and makes more money than I ever did in engineering.  Less time, less cost, less stress but way more money and security.  Universities are a scam and their main purpose is to make profits, not help you succeed in your major.  They don't care what happens to you after they get your money.

Answer 3

Gee I hope... the JAPANESE CAN FIND SOME QUALIFIED NUCLEAR ENGINEERS OUT THERE SOMEPLACE TO HELP THEM OUT OF THEIR PICKLE....SINCE MOST ENGINEERING COLLEGES IN THE U.S. HAVE DROPPED NUCLEAR ENGINEERING ...AS A VIABLE MAJOR.....:)

 

Answer 4

Senior Project Aerospace Engineer w/background in Mfg. Eng.; Design Integration/Project Eng.; and Quality: I've been looking for 16 months . . . . I have "screened" 1,000's -upon- 1,000's of jobs and actually applied for ~750 jobs where I feel I am qualified for every one of them . . . I have had numerous phone interviews but only three (That's right - 3!!!) "face-to-face" interviews.  The first interview was in Calif. - about one month after I was laid off from my previous employer.  The interview went absolutely fantastic (As all my phone/face-to-face interviews have gone) w/6 different department Managers.  At the end of the day when it was time to talk to the HR people & they started talking salary, they were actually physically offended & "squirmed" in the chair when I gave them a salary figure - backed up by "cost-of-living" locational difference data; info I discussed regarding their own Co. Quarterly Report indicating a termination of future 401K contributions; future outlook for contracts; etc., etc. etc. . . . . Bottom line, I knew more about the financial situation of their Co. than the HR representative knew - Imagine that!! . . . . Yeah - I know. . . . You have all been there (HR dept.) ["We ARE Engineers!!"].  At the end of the day, I was not even trying to negotiate a salary increase - Only a direct "across-the-board" cost of living geographic/locational rate from my previous salary . . . The HR rep. indicated they could only offer 85% of what I was asking.  Oh-well, it was so early in my unemployment situation, that I thought "I" was in the driver seat - "Surprise, surprise" . . . . !!!  The second actual "face-to-face" interview (7-months later!) went extremely well & I "almost" got the job.  After a few weeks, I received a very sincere reply from the hiring Manager that the Co. really struggled making the decision between me & the other top-candidate . . . . Needless to say, the other candidate received the job - But I did end up getting a great recommendation from this particular hiring Manager for another job I phone interviewed with the same Co. at a different location.  The third interview (6-months later!!) was local and it was a "gang rotation" interview - or otherwise known as "speed interviewing" (kind of like "speed dating") . . . where I interviewed for 15-minutes each w/8 different dept. Managers over a 2-hour period.  Again, the interview(s) went super great!  But just like all of you, I still remain "unemployed" - The HR Rep. told me to let them know if I received other offers from other Co's so as to "give them a chance in making an offer" . . . . . What the heck is THAT all about?!??! . . . . .  The reality for me is that I continue to attempt future re-employment opportunities in the Aerospace/DoD market - which as you all know: presently "TOTALLY SUCKS" . . . . I have recently started looking outside my field of expertise into other engineering applications, but I am concerned that I am "too qualified" for these positions & my background "scares the heck" out of potential future employers . . . Please don't take me wrong, I am not trying to come across as an "elitist", but when an Senior Engineer has been designing space launch vehicles for 25 years, then expresses an interest in a company to design equipment to make brown paper bags - the future employer starts "scratching his head" & the Engineer applicant is seemingly immediately discounted as a viable candidate for the open position  . . . !!!!  I probably have said too much, but needed an opportunity to share my experiences and thoughts with colleagues in the same situation.  All I can say, is that I wish us all GOOD LUCK for the FUTURE - as this is what it seems will ultimately allow us to land a job: "LUCK" . . . Because as you all know, the present situation is not where we all want to be . . . Just one Man's opinion! . . .

Answer 5

If you are truly in search of engineering jobs, I have 290 positions across the US for electrical, mechanical, process, production, quality, and chemical. They do require experience, usually, 5 years and upwards. Contact me at 919-237-2977 or just send me your resume: [e-mail]. Thank you.

Answer 6

Recently Graduated feeling hopefull for the future. Why? Because we are the future! I just graduated with BS in computer engineering degree and looking for work. Wondering if passing the FE and PE for a liscence will help.

Answer 7

I hold a masters in Engineering EE, I have been unemployed for 1 year, yet I was working as electronics technician in Quebec/Canada, meanwhile, I took many technical trainings in College to upgrade my skills. I am trilling Arabic, French, and English....I really recommend you to consider the middle-east, they do a lot of business with US and UK and they need a lot of engineers. They are very very nice and they always need brilliant engineers like you. Please do not let the media discourage you from going there, both Arabs and Americans are amazing as of my personal experience. However, if you don’t like the heat, come to Canada Midwest region there is a lot of jobs with lowest unemployment rate close to 4.5%, they are very welcoming. In fact, all people are amazing (with the exception of French Canadians of course, so avoid Quebec).

Answer 8

 i have been unemployed since may 2010!!! i m a telecom engineer,............. these days im really going crazy!! i realllllly need a job.....

Answer 9

 Paul, i agree with you 100% you are right on the money. what waste of good money and time. i went through the same thing and here i am sitting with nothing worth noting. Future is sure not bright.

Answer 10

Kids....Keep your money in your pocket...Our  American universities are only good for doctoring or lawyering....If you wish to work in technology, either attend a two year college....or ...ACCORDING TO THE COMMERCIALS ON TV....go to ITT and be successful.

ANOTHER DISGUNTLED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER who graduated from Top Engineering School

Answer 11

Help....I graduated the University of Cincinnati with a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering...I'm also an ex Air Force officer....Captain......I have over 20 experience managing the developing of everything from F15 ALR-56 C thru LANTIRN POD SUPPORT EQUIPMENT....I'm also black...with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Enginering from the same institutution.....Back in the good days ...engineers graduating from UC was as difficult...as pulling out a horse out of a bull's a*s....With all this experience and education....The only job offers I'm been getting are warehouse temps jobs...some engineering job interviews...that were a f****n waste of time.....The MASTER'S DEGREE was a total f****n waste of time.....

 

Answer 12

Just graduated this past August 2010, B.S in Chemical Engineering, minor in chemistry and additional background courses in bioengineering technology. Been unemployed for about 3 1/2 months now.   I am entry level, however I do have about 2 years experience in R&D and Quality Assurance/Control combined.   

I know someone that has not been working since 2004.  I pray to God I find something soon.  I am so scared.  Been on 2 interviews and took one test so far and nothing.  Its an employers market so they can be nit picky.  I applied to Shell and Chevron, but they don't have entry level positions available for process engineers.  I know alot of chemical engineers not working.  KBR and Halliburton same way.  Some of you might want to try Samsung.  They are hiring alot of EE, ME, and Comp  Sci's.  They are in Austin if willing to relocate.

Answer 13

Unemployed since Jan 2009. My field is semiconductor chip design, resolution enhancement, circuit design, programming (Perl, C, C++, Tcl, etc). I have applied to more than 500 jobs with zero call back. Oh I am over 50 with a M.S. from Columbia University. [e-mail]

Answer 14

Unemployed since Jan 2009. My field is semiconductor chip design, resolution enhancement, circuit design, programming (Perl, C, C++, Tcl, etc). I have applied to more than 500 jobs with zero call back. Oh I am over 50 with a M.S. from Columbia University. [e-mail]

Answer 15

I have more than 10 years of experience in Electrical and computer engineering. I had been looking for a job for a year now. I had few interviews since then. But it seem in order to get the job you have to give them 40 percent discount. It's probably time to think of another career if nothing pans out in the future.

 

 

Answer 16

Im an EE I recently graduated but I havent had luck finding a job in engineering so Im currently working as a sales associate at an electronics store........................it seems like this is a dead end career :(

Answer 17

I can't believe you people are trying to discourage youngsters from studying engineering.  I'm an  employed mechanical engineer and I can't believe how much they pay me to do the easy things I do.  

I was laid off back in the summer of 2009 and it took a while to find a job but I eventually got one that pays even more than the last.  In my spare time I just went travelling with all the money I had saved up and had an awesome adventures.  

You people must have some fundamental personal flaws which make nobody want to hire you.  Just because you're a crappy engineer who can't get a job doesn't mean that engineering is not a good field to study in college.....   any normal, non-retarded person who graduates with an engineering degree is assured success in the USA.....   Why do you think they import so many Indians?  There's not enough Americans to do the work ... 

 Never met an EE that delivers pizzas.  What a loser!   You must be one crappy EE.  Did you graduate from ITT tech?  

LOL!

Whiny b*****s.......

 

 

 

 

 

Answer 18

Recently made unemployed for the second time in this recession. This is my third US recession in a row, where I found myself without a chair when the music stopped. Last company I worked for is a  well known and well branded company in the technology sector. But appearances can be deceiving.From the inside it is a sweatshop, all into brain farming and people shaping. The first troubling signs for me were that almost all the Engineers were young, in their late 20s or early 30s - hijacked imports from the top universities in India, China, Taiwan, Malaysia etc. Almost all are H1 status and made to work extremely hard for low wages and with low appreciation. Always fearful of the chop.They resemble more coked out chickens in a battery hen factory all geared with frantic head and body motions and laser printing fingers.They will not last long until burn-out at this pace - their health is been toxified and neural nets fried in that environment. They are the fourth of july firework show that will end long before midnight -aka retirement.  A number of them had totally grey hair and were still not out of their 20s'. The company kept told me a number of times that the only reason they hired me was because I had important skills that they could not find through outsourcing or in-farming. Since I have ~15years experience in many diverse and key Engineering fields. But I resented their continued efforts to shape and mold me into a Nexus 6 to further their profiteering exploits. I became more and more hateful by the day of their culture of fear, efficiency and sweat. I was no more into their sheep shearing farm. So eventually, it became more expeditious for them to have me stragetically removed by ballooning some minor indiscretion in a meeting totally out of the ballpark. I was setup because I stood up to them was hindering their sheep shearing and brain farming games. Besides they probably felt they had pillaged my brain for all the ideas they needed for now. And the cost had become greater than the returns. It was one of those places where one would remain forever as a boxer in Animal farm until he was finally ready for the knackers yard but the route to being a Napolean was forever barred. The illusion of empowerment was just that. All efforts, empty promises and certificates but no pay increases or promotions. The crown jewels of upper management progression was carefully guarded. And so ended that particular tale of animal farm - sweatshop variety. Honestly said, I felt grateful to be finally exiting the gates of h**l. Oh Mama - Please don't let your children grow up to be Engineers.

Answer 19

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc (<a href="http://www.selinc.com/careers">www.selinc.com/careers</a>) has over 150 current career opportunities!  We design, manufacture, and support a complete line of products and services, ranging from generator and transmission protection to distribution automation and control systems. An employee-owned company, located in Washington state, SEL’s core values drive the way we view our community, industry, company, and environment.  Our headquarters is located in Pullman, Washington however we have career opportunities all over the world.  View our website and learn more about our high tech, world-class Research, Development and Manufacturing organization.  SEL - creating the future by keeping careers and technology in the United States.

Answer 20

I am newly unemployed after over 4 years as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager. This was the second longest time with a company. I have been downsized, re-engineered, laid off 4 times and went through a plant shut down once. I left three companies before they shut down. I am still in my field but may be forced to get into a new field because I am now over 50.
I am currently tapping into all my resources of vendors and associates as well as recruiters. I will find something unless I chose a new career path such as contract work or teaching.

Answer 21

I'm an employed EE(employed as a pizza delivery guy)

I gave up on engineering after 3 years of nothing but temp contracts. The 1 year nothing. I have to eat so at least I get all the Pizza I want.

Warning to American students AVOID engineering!!!!!!! They want young cheap imported workers from low wage countries NO AMERICANS NEED APPLY!!!!!!

Answer 22

I am an unemployed RF engineer.  I live in the Chicago area.  In my opinion, the prospect of being employed in a 'high-tech' career in the Midwest is becoming dim.  Perhaps Iran has some openings ...

Answer 23

I am an unemployed engineer turned to be a dishwasher

Answer 24

I am looking for two engineers, EE or CS is fine. The job is in the Orlando area but work can be done from home and attend meeting as needed. Please send resume to [e-mail]

Thank You

Answer 25

I am going for the GUINNESS WORLD BOOK OF RECORD for the longest unemployed engineer in America, title. I am a former AEROSPACE and FORMER DEFENSE INDUSTRY ENGINEER. I arrived at NASA, started up the contractor side was denied design work opportunities, moved to the DEFENSE INDUSTRY to get to do design work. They loaded me up with design work, that was the only thing they did do for me (3 years worth and cut me before my ESOP stock was fully vested), the pay never happened on any IEEE pay scale for embedded designers. I succeeded in several key designs and they loaded me up with more, but the contractor always pocketed my raises. So I was doing design work in violation of Department of Labor laws being paid as technician and I did do some of that such as installing data links for the US government war rooms, but contractors don't care, they only make money by milking the US taxpayers and s******g their young "college geeks". After I automated the radar tracking systems 66 different ones, my designs "worked too good". Lost my job in 1992, never recovered, also I had invented a "squirt gun engine" which the US government and my former employer confiscated on a security sweep break in to my rented town home, so I packed up and left for the hills. That invention worked, the table top prototype, used only AIR, WATER, and gravity cycled inside a vacuum, with an 8 bit microprocessor controlling the open and closing of the pressure valves, that invention I claim will change the world ( my squirt gun engine), if I ever get it to market ( and notice I claim they kick the genius... let me invent to see what else I can invent). Now I am inventing and bringing products to market in direct defiance to the STATUS QUO, that's hard to get them to market with little to no money and all money goes back into growing inventory or paying patent fees. However, if funded properly and/or I achieve future sales, I could hire others, that's the bright side. I'm almost 46 years old. I managed to live off the stock market, pay off a home, and YES with incredible precision they struck again... I lost it to an AEP power surge, fought ever since to get a settlement from the homeowner's insurance ERIE INSURANCE claim 2003 and a fair settlement from AEP... Never happened what is so ironic is I lost the start up factory building I had built only to find out, I NEVER NEEDED ONE in the first place, my products are perfect for any homeless person to make and sell, the jokes on them! I live in the CRIMINAL WEALTH of VIRGINIA ( I have the dirt on enough politicians to send them all to jail but that won't ever happen, I'm too busy now...), trying to bring new jobs to make them look good, it's a hard life. I went homeless for 6 months to pay off the debts incurred and suddenly thrust upon me in that AEP power-surge/water damage claim (I closed 167000 of repair debts, sold the house at a loss and walked away SAVING MY CREDIT only to find out, it wasn't worth it. Now I'm back on my feet renting a trailer AND MAKING AND SELLING MY INVENTIONS in the underground economy ( and selling to the poor, homeless people who like my d**n products, and even they can afford these quick buck products, so I can't wait until the economy returns to a good economy). If you want an engineering career, I suggest you don't invent the following : 1) any type of free energy device (based on over-unity or gravity) 2) don't invent any anti-gravity flying saucer based upon a TESLA frequency tuned coil 3) don't make radar tracking systems that TRACK "STEALTHS" been there done that, I was the first engineer in the world to do that. Enough said. Politics.  I have two engineering degrees, Electronics & Telecommunications, 1/2 to a masters in engineering ( told over-qualified when I was 28 now I'm 46 and thinking GOD is into AGE discrimination by default for being GOD), CAD background, embedded design background in real time, and currently am bringing 23 new  ( and make the local business incubator fear seeing me). My family trust fund provides just enough to be neglected by welfare.  Also, I had millions stolen by SWISS BANKERS as Pittsburgh Industrialist, yeah, my sister and I out our 30 million compounding for over 30 years, do the math, I was4 when he died, she was 2, so it went to the hands of crooks who wear suits and ties, you all see them now, giving themselves bonuses for collapsing banks and getting your tax payer bailouts), in 1996 the world of conspiracy hit every one... the banks. So when I got laid off in 1992, that recession I applied for jobs ... never happened so I patiently waited for the big pay day that never happen. I ranted for years about the coming banking collapses globally, guess I'm right, nobody ever listens to genius, oh I wrote a stock selection program which works to pick stocks, been testing it, it makes money for my millionaire friend who abscond with the deed of my home, that story is too sad to tell, my other friends are making money with it, and funny they got the upper hand on me financially and won't come on board the inventions as I tend to prove billions are out there when they believe much less, but I know what I know. Next, I loaned a friend money to save his life and business and his home, never ever do that, great advice, they never repay... meanwhile, they eat good are doing quite well opened a second restaurant, you just skip a few meals and they OWN a restaurant on your life saving action, they survive you dig in deeper for being a hero, I don't advice good will to any one, they will eat the bread and say see you later, lesson learned. Now here's the best part of my life I get impress people with my exclusive rights offers on my IP  which is for sale for exclusive distributions rights (Elastic Solutions - only), $500 million US, and that's the LOW PRICE, Why? 500 useful applications from the same design, that's why and it costs a buck retail, that's genius, doing the actuary math, there's more zeros than a spreadsheet can hold. I know what I've got. Multi-billion d on .10 cent or .05 cent royalty payments, across 18 product lines that will go BILLION in each product line but the bank account statements still lie, it's the MARKETING, inventing is easy, it's the MARKETING. Also, I have a CLEVER backup plan to ensure I get a quick bullet to put me out of my misery. I am proposing AN AUTOMATED CONGRESS, that's correct, my revenge on the US government senators/representatives who vote themselves better than you or me, my SWEET REVENGE soon to be YOUR SWEET REVENGE of the NERDS... a web page for SELF-REPRESENTATION, every American can now vote for themselves, click and we got instant CENSUS right there, sorry census, I automated you too.  That's correct, I'm proposing to outsource CONGRESS, send them home, and let every American bankrupt America by voting themselves a raise, and you 99er's I'm trying to fight for you.  "Doc" is a working man's genius.  That shot across the sinking US economy by and by should get them to BAIL OUT INVENTORS, who are still loyal to AMERICA.  I insist my new jobs be created in AMERICA (0ver 10,000 new jobs and I have two manufacturing plans in one, so stay praying for me and hopefully I will live long enough for the progress reports). US MANUFACTURING is not dead, despite the doom and gloom of idiots. It's just been plowed under by politics. I have products I make and sell and I have been doubling sales every quarter, with part time sales only and mostly revising business plans looking for the big score to launch officially until I could stick them in another VC idiot's face. I can't wait until I s***w the rubber band industry into the toilet, they cost the US taxpayers billions for pieces of c**p that break, my straps work, if the US government would have switched to them in 1980's you can buy new space shuttles or aircraft carriers with the savings that went out the door to rubber band makers who sold defective dry rotting products.  ELASTIC SOLUTIONS  wait for the INFOMERCIAL... hahaha.. if that don't work on my POLITICAL ENEMIES wait til I unleash the GRAVITY WEAPONS I've invented ( evil genius laugh). GRAVITY is not a constant!  After that, time travel is a piece of cake. I laugh at the US government who thinks they can control genius.  My advice for starting a revolution....hide your ideas for the FREE ENERGY SOCIETY and teach the world to learn about the FREE ENERGY CONSPIRACY (against all those inventors) hide and use the INTERNET while you still can, then one day, the world will switch. HAHAHAHA!  Now if the US government wants, they can pay me to NOT INVENT, just like they pay the farmers to plow under food. My price is still $500 million to 1 billion US or better yet the amount of the GRANDFATHER'S estate, that was in SWISS FRANCS converting that amount back from their gold back securities.. let me see... that's well more gold than America's got, and I will never go way, my ideas are multiplying across the world.  Nope, I think the bullet's coming for us genius genetic freaks.   My advice to aspiring younger engineers... GET LAID! And do it often until your pee-pees fall off. Make some more welfare babies and keep the world looking for you stay mobile and I mean travel everywhere, don't fall for the Facebook tag and release program, or accept geotags in your digital photos. Just instead have them install a chip in your engineering head, it's faster and guaranteed to make a CAT SCAN think you have been abducted by ALIENS.  Here's the last piece of advice.... GET LAID!  Or go insane trying to teach people how switch to the FREE ENERGY society and end global poverty. Peace!

Answer 26

I'm a self-employed civil engineer that works in the telecom industry. I was fortunate enough to have had a large enough backlock of ongoing work that I missed most of the recession. However, the downturn has finally filtered through into the telecom sector, and my work is drying up at a frightening pace. Unfortunately, the short-term future for much of the civil engineering sector looks rather bleak, to say the least. After having spent the last few days looking for other employment opportunities, I can count on one hand the number of civil engineering positions being advertised that I'm actually qualified for. I'm starting to think I might have to sell my house and go back to school for a career change, since this career is apparently a completely dead-end one. Cyclical or not, one would have to wonder why anyone would encourage someone to pursue an engineering career in this country. It's simply not worth it in the long run........

Answer 27

Have been unemployed from one of the big three for over 2.7 yrs now. Same story as all of you above. No luck.

Answer 28

I was fired due to trumped up bs nonsense, just to get me out.  I am a 30 yr engineer and was the highest paid engineer in my office.   I started a new corporate office for my last employer from my den and grew the practice to a $2 million dollar/year practice.  I get a new boss last year, was promoted and fired in 9 months.  The co. had been fired on a project, and then assigned me to it, once I brought the project and the client back, they fired me.

Answer 29

I'm an unemployed Chemical engineer for almost 2.5 yrs. Got an offer but was retracted due to late response.  Since then, everything went downhill.  
I've tried everything from networking, going back to school and get more certification and even try to pass a professional license.  How do you effectively network with some influential and prospective hiring managers? Despite my latest efforts of outreaching to recruiters, former colleagues, friends and families, no luck have yet visited me.   I'd welcome any advices on how to get your message heard and how to get introduced to somebody who can provide mentor and leadership

Thanks

Answer 30

Unemployed CS and EE 3 years no offers, I gave up on a dead end EE career. Last job I had I worked as a computer tech until I trained my replacement H-1B worker. Seems like a real waste of effort and money for an American to go into engineering. Engineers in the USA are underpaid, overworked and unappreciated. There are some older folks who have made a good living and have been fortunate enough that they haven't lost their job or have skills that are very hard to acquire, but if they lose their job they will probably never work as an engineer again.

All I have ever wanted to do was be an engineer, I only ask for a middle class income and decent working conditions instead I get 80+ hour weeks and make less than the drunken frat boys who got c's in basic math and went into marketing.

I have talked several smart young people out of engineering and would stongly discourage students from that dead end career path.

Offshoring outsourcing and the massive influx of imported workers have killed this profession.

Answer 31

Civil Engineer (Land Development) Unemployed since Feb 2009.  Let me tell you this market is terrible.  I have applied to everyone I can think of with practically nothing in terms of hope.  I plan to get a job as a waiter and think very frugal until things blow over and I am able to start something of my own and do not have to worry about someone providing me with my livelyhood.  I want to call my own shots instead of making someone else rich.

Answer 32

Unemployed since Febraury. Applied for hundreds of positionsand only a few interviews with no offers. I have my BSc and MSc in Materials Engineering and 3 yrs experience. I have also applied to many jobs outside of Canada (where I live). I am strongly considering a whole new career in a "recession proof career" and may go to school next fall. What a shame, 7 yrs of school and nothing to show for it!

Answer 33

I have been out of work since last April...mechanical engineer with 4 years experience.  I am in the southeast Texas region...seriously looking in my area as well as Houston, Tx.  Finding most employers want someone with specific requirements/training and a higher level of experience than I have. This has put my family in quite a predicament as we have two very small kids, with my income the major source of living.