Model Engineer – Citizen Scientist

[Anonymous]

Posted by Colin Whittaker on 04/07/2017 09:48:26:

What job description should a professional engineer that doesn't wish to be a manager look for?

You'll probably need to be more specific, such as electronics, test, production or mechanical engineer.

I don't know about elsewhere but there are well paying jobs around Cambridge for engineers, as opposed to managers. By well paying I mean £50k+. Of course you'll need client facing skills and be prepared to work to get the job done rather leave on the dot each evening. But the benefits (pension, death in service, flexible working and others) are good. The same is true for science, particularly bio-science. Basically there are a lot of international companies, and startups, all competing for the same people.

In a riposte to those who decry "engineers" with a degree, in the Cambridge area you'll need at least a 1st or 2:1 from a "recognised" university (read Oxbridge or redbrick) before your CV even gets read. A PhD helps too; even though it might get you banned on this forum.

There are downsides though, Cambridge is a very expensive area to live, and the infrastructure is broken.

Andrew

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Anyone else here have the title of European Engineer (Eur. Ing.)? It never did really catch on in the U.K.

Eur. Ing. Russell

 

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 04/07/2017 14:51:08

[FatgadgiParticipant @fatgadgi]

Hi Ing Russel …..

Sadly, you are right, it never took off here in Blighty. Actually, I don't believe that I have ever knowingly come across anyone else with the title.

Perhaps I should apply for it before Brexit is Brexited !!!

cheers Will

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Posted by Martin Kyte on 04/07/2017 09:59:34:

The only way to really change things is to fill the house of commons with engineers. Perhaps that way we might get problems solve instead of just rebranded.

This will probably end up sounding conceited to some, but this "problem" of a lack of practical, able, willing politicians has far more to it than meets the eye.

I think the main difference is that governments of previous generations didn't get paid to be an MP, you had to do something else in order to get money.

Whilst this meant that inevitably all MPs were rich, who just wanted the job as a hobby, you could construe this as a good thing because they wanted to be there for reasons other than financial gain, yes, a corrupt steel magnate might look to vote in favour of policies that support his industry, but he actually has to win the argument first.

It means you can't get elected just simply because you want a comfortable salary.

Now you can just sit on your laurels and do nothing if it so inclined you. You don't even have to turn up if you want, and that's why weve got more politicians than ever, who can't seem to get an awful lot done.

Michael W

Edited By Michael-w on 04/07/2017 16:29:37

[Anonymous]

Posted by Russell Eberhardt on 04/07/2017 14:50:30:

Anyone else here have the title of European Engineer (Eur. Ing.)? It never did really catch on in the U.K.

Eur. Ing. Russell

Not me. When I first started out chartered status seemed important, although I never bothered to achieve it. Not least because I was pee'd off that the IEE didn't regard a PhD as work experience, whereas the IEEE did. At my many interviews membership of an engineering institution and/or chartered status have never been mentioned, not even in passing. It simply doesn't seem important to startups and high tech companies.

Whether that's a good or bad thing is another matter.

Andrew

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Like all things necessity is the mother of invention.

Many things are attributable to home grown science just look at the kitchens and for that matter camp fires of old. Where would we be if someone had not thrown meat on a fire no BBQ's. Lite fires around rocks which melted and gave us Metals. Or granny in the kitchen making jams, or soap. Long long before Universities there was the secret orders of the churches, monks who made wine and mead.

I've known many who walked and study in halls of Uni's and that bit of paper is often as good as the books they have read to attain and pass those exams they are good enough to memorise what they have learned. Then just as much I have learned more of backyard engineers, mechanics and may self taught other persons.

There are those who have done the years in Uni's and have given the world their findings to benefit all man kind sadly they are often sidelined till long after they are gone.

[Colin WhittakerParticipant @colinwhittaker20544]

Anyone else here have the title of European Engineer (Eur. Ing.)? It never did really catch on in the U.K.

Eur. Ing. Russell

The UK Passport Office recognises the title Eur Ing and because the European Federation of National Engineering Associations, FEANI, which issues the title is unconnected with the European Union the use of the prefix within the UK will survive the end of the Brexit process.

Just to annoy the Brexiteers, I and a number of others plan to add the prenomial Eur Ing to our passports when they next come up for renewal. (I know, it's petty, but there's not much else you can do.)

Eur. Ing, Whittaker

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

No wonder it didn't catch on as it's publicity level seems to be abysmal. I've never heard of the term before, nor of FEANI.
Titles are not universal even in one country. In the industry in which I work some manager back a decade or two had never heard of systems engineering so titled it architecture and it is now standard. I have been in a client developer despite actually being microwave engineer and I discovered recently that a quantity surveyor in civil engineering is a programme manager or project manger in other disciplines.

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

One problem is that the British are no longer proud of people who can actually make things. In the past I have known several Italians with the title "Ingegnere", and they were addressed as such. In Britain, engineers are perceived as grubby little men in overalls. That said, we do still have some great inventors, but we don't seem able to follow up with manufacture. Yesterday I had an MRI scan in a very clever bit of kit invented by Sir Peter Mansfield. Who built the thing? Siemens in Germany…….

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Mike on 05/07/2017 09:38:38:

One problem is that the British are no longer proud of people who can actually make things. In the past I have known several Italians with the title "Ingegnere", and they were addressed as such. In Britain, engineers are perceived as grubby little men in overalls. That said, we do still have some great inventors, but we don't seem able to follow up with manufacture. Yesterday I had an MRI scan in a very clever bit of kit invented by Sir Peter Mansfield. Who built the thing? Siemens in Germany…….

Oh ye of little faith:

"At our production facility in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, we design and manufacture the superconducting magnets for all Siemens magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)"

Neil

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Yes Neil, but they (Siemens) bought out Oxford Instruments who started the whole business of superconducting magnets for UK inspired MRI scanners. Those of us who were around in the business when it all started, watched on helpless, when as usual, it was all sold to Johnny Foreigner.

[Steve Skelton 1Participant @steveskelton1]

Posted by Russell Eberhardt on 04/07/2017 14:50:30:

Anyone else here have the title of European Engineer (Eur. Ing.)? It never did really catch on in the U.K.

Eur. Ing. Russell

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 04/07/2017 14:51:08

Russell, when I was gainfully employed my MD liked their senior management to use their professional qualifications so they paid my IMech E membership fees and as a result I registered with FEANI as a Eur Ing – have never ever used it or my CEng handles though, except when writing snotty letters to incompetent suppliers or customers.

So does that make two of us in the club?

Steve

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

My mate always signs his name and adds the ending MSI which he says stands for mild steel inventor.

perhaps MMengWSF (member of Model Engingeers website forum?)

regards Martin

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

What is a "Engingeer"??

Looks more like an attempt to Pass-Off or deceive.

[Eric ArthrellParticipant @ericarthrell78468]

I have been called everything during my working life in engineering including engineer .

But at the end of the day you are only as good as your last job. and you answer for any problems" well that's what you are paid for".

The old chap who taught me wasn't an engineer but they would come and ask his advice and he gave it freely, he used to make model soldiers etc for war games a proper bloke. "model maker"

Oh and if it ain't right say so .

Regards Eric

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Having been employed as an engineer throughout my working life I am now proud to have been promoted and achieved the status of "Retired"!

Norman

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