Civil Engineering - We need to talk about money

Simona1986 wrote: »

What's your own situation? There's a shortage of engineer's at the moment, you should be able to negotiate yourself a better deal?

I am involved in general building design, project engineer on a number of projects and take on what I believe to be a large workload. I have received annual raises of 10% every year I've been with the company. It sounds great, but because I started on a relatively low salary at the time of joining towards the end of the recession when salaries were still low, 10% hasn't caught up with the demand for engineers, which is why I am currently on 40k a year.

I feel it would be difficult to negotiate greater than a 10% raise, particularly outside of a review period.

Alkers

engineerfear1 wrote:

Oh dear. I'm being severely underpaid if 49k is the norm for civil/structural engineers with 5 years experience!

What's your own situation? There's a shortage of engineer's at the moment, you should be able to negotiate yourself a better deal?

Simona1986 wrote: »

I would say civil / structural engineers with 5 years post grad experience would only just be on that money now...

Oh dear. I'm being severely underpaid if 49k is the norm for civil/structural engineers with 5 years experience!

If that's the case than the PM route might be worth considering. Would you be happy leading a team where you have a resource to do the sizing etc?

Your level 8 is science rather than engineering?

In my game you frequently have science folk as project managers with multiple chem eng type folk on the design & approval side.

Augeo wrote: »

Is there some legislative reason why your level 8 doesn't allow you to lead a design, correctly size and space structural members etc?

I'm not in the civil side of engineering so excuse my ignorance

Well, I'm not qualified or trained to make such decisions or calculations. Legislatively, I'm not aware of the laws. I can only assume that there would be insurance/indemnity issues if somebody without an engineering qualification was designing structures.

Sorry, I've dragged this thread away from civil engineering a bit!

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Just feel it'd be nice to be able to lead a design rather than just implementing others. Being able to correctly size or space structural members rather then needing to consult the engineer each time.

I can't imagine it's possible to get in this line without significant retraining. I don't want to trivialise the task of becoming an engineer.

Is there some legislative reason why your level 8 doesn't allow you to lead a design, correctly size and space structural members etc?

I'm not in the civil side of engineering so excuse my ignorance

budhabob

engineerfear1 wrote: »

I see Engineers Ireland sent out a salary survey questionnaire at the start of this month. Anyone take part? What do you expect will be the outcome?

Ya, completed it, think its important as many as possible do so. As for what the outcome will be, I imagine it will show an improvement in pay, but still highlight that Engineers are undervalued.

When you're good....

Ah no, I'm only joking. I know I'm doing well on that front. Just a mix of experience and brazenness got me here.

Edit;
In all honesty I do feel at times that I'm flying by the seat of my pants, hanging in by the skin off my teeth, "getting away with it", but would like to learn more, firm up my knowledge a bit and ideally obtain a piece of paper that backs it up. I'm not seeking partnership or being an MD anywhere, but I do strive to do better and improve potential career path.

Alkers

Squall Leonhart wrote:

I have been here 2 years, and I'm on 49K. It's good money for a technician. I want to progress. I'm 32 and have a long work life left.

I would say civil / structural engineers with 5 years post grad experience would only just be on that money now...

Just feel it'd be nice to be able to lead a design rather than just implementing others. Being able to correctly size or space structural members rather then needing to consult the engineer each time.

I can't imagine it's possible to get in this line without significant retraining. I don't want to trivialise the task of becoming an engineer.

With your experience & qualification a project management course might be best IMO

I'd imagine other companies would offer you eng roles too.

Augeo wrote:

What sort of level 8 degrees do the engineers who's guidance you work under have?

Is your level 8 in architectural technology?

Yes, my level 8 is in arch tech. Those whose guidance I work on varies from project to project. Some have structural engineering degrees, others geotechnical, others engineering and project management.

What sort of level 8 degrees do the engineers who's guidance you work under have?

Is your level 8 in architectural technology?

Since there are many engineers here, this is probably a good place to ask the question...

I've a qualification in architectural technology, I've had 5 years architectural experience between an architectural practice, a large international engineering group and a specialist contractor.

Then, through right place right time (decent BIM skills)and willingness to learn I've wound up working for a civil/structural/mech/elec consultancy. I work on the civil and structural aspects of jobs under engineer guidance.

I have been here 2 years, and I'm on 49K. It's good money for a technician. I want to progress. I'm 32 and have a long work life left.

I have a 2.1 level 8 degree so eligible for masters admission on various courses. Are there any part time/evening/distance learning/masters courses that I would benefit from regarding making career advancement? I cannot give up work to study. Am I out of luck?

I see Engineers Ireland sent out a salary survey questionnaire at the start of this month. Anyone take part? What do you expect will be the outcome?

con1982

6 months would come across as kinda cheeky. Ideally you should push as hard as possible in your annual review, pay talks.

There are lots of good post-grad courses in project management, contract law, sustainable development, etc. Push yourself higher up the ladder.

The closer you are to the client and money, the more you will earn. Pure engineering talents will only bring you so far.

con1982 wrote: »

You could probably get 45-50k plus benefits depending on your area of experience.

I would take into account the type of work in offer, office vibe and the commute.

Don't be afraid of asking for more money. Or a paid for post-grad course.

It's difficult to replace good staff

My area of experience is general building design. I have been receiving raises annually, but so have all staff. Would it be cheeky to ask for another raise 6 months after already receiving one?

The office vibe is great and the commute is short, but there is a heavy workload and I feel I take on more than most.

What kind of post-grad courses are you suggesting - a one day training course type thing or a paid masters? Sometimes I feel guilty asking for any paid training as it seems like I owe them afterwards!

con1982

You could probably get 45-50k plus benefits depending on your area of experience.

I would take into account the type of work in offer, office vibe and the commute.

Don't be afraid of asking for more money. Or a paid for post-grad course.

It's difficult to replace good staff

I am a bit clueless as to what the going rate is for a structural engineer these days as there seems to be limited information out there. I have over 5 years experience and have been working with the same company since before the resurgence of the construction industry in Dublin.

I have been receiving a steady 10% increase in salary per annum, which seems great, but having started in the company when the economy was not so great, I am still at a relatively low level in my view - €43k without benefits. I am not chartered either, but I still believe I am worth more than I am currently being paid.

Realistically, if I move to another company with I think is a good level of experience, what would I expect to be offered? Am I being foolish for staying loyal to my current employer?

David6330 wrote: »

Yeah PLCs, robotics, that sort of stuff. Ended up taking a grad position to get started.

Well done, the way to go.

If I was you I'd try and land into pharma/biopharma (plenty PLCs even in predominantly DCS plants) rather than industries where robotics are used (assembly).

I worked on ABB 6 axis robots a few moons ago and though conceptually interesting the thing was replacing manual operations.

The distributed control systems in pharma plants is a handier & more lucrative gig IMO.

(just to add, I'm not an automation eng)

David6330

Augeo wrote: »

Industrial automation as in DeltaV or Siemens PLC stuff ?
It'll be very tough to get into that unless you get a graduate role with the likes of Zenith or Emmerson IMO.

Yeah PLCs, robotics, that sort of stuff. Ended up taking a grad position to get started.

If you want €70k you need to play hardball, get a job paying €60k+ and hand in your notice. Wait until after they tell you you aren't getting €70k if you want.

"Currently €50k + benefits, might hit them up for €70k+"

As you've detailed your €50k is net of a €6k bonus, so do you want €70k + a bonus?

They won't throw a €20k (40%) payrise at you, you know that.

Hooks Golf Handicap

Augeo wrote: »

€50k is woeful for an engineer with 10+ years experience. You don't seem the sort to leave though, unfortunately, I imagine your employer has you pencilled in as a lifer and they'll offer you very little to stay.

Yeah, not proud of it but it was net of an average 6k bonus & a 6% pension contribution.

Anyone got a copy of the IEI Salary Survey 2016 by any chance ???