Fears temper career satisfaction
Although satisfied with their jobs, test engineers worry about the effects of outsourcing.
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Most engineers love what they do for a living, but more of them are now asking, "Will the global economy take my job away?"
That's a key conclusion from a new Test & Measurement World reader survey on careers and salaries, as well as from interviews with engineers on the opportunities and frustrations of the profession.
Many engineers still view the test field as an attractive one, but they stress that it is more important than ever to keep pace with new technology and develop an appreciation for the business needs of their companies. "It's vital that engineers be proactive about their careers," said Michael Keller, a 30-year engineering veteran and director of the American Society of Test Engineers (ASTE). "You need to have a plan on where you want to be five years from now and begin taking the steps to get there, such as earning an MBA or a graduate degree in engineering or computer science."
Rising pay, more responsibilityThe T&MW survey reveals an average salary of about $78,700, with more than half of respondents reporting a salary of more than $80,000. Three quarters expect a pay hike this year, and the average expected increase is about 5%.
But along with good pay comes more responsibility, as companies quicken the pace of product development without a commensurate increase in the engineering ranks. The T&MW study finds 72% of respondents reporting an increase in the number of job functions they are being asked to perform. Time pressures and a growing number of projects also were cited as the top two job challenges.
Ray Worcester, who develops PCB fixtures for Tyco Healthcare in New York, said that with shorter design cycles, he has completed twice as many projects in the last six years as his predecessor did in a comparable period. Even working extra hours, he somehow found time to earn a master's degree in advanced technology, which includes subjects ranging from nanotechnology to the financial aspects of engineering.
"The biggest daily challenge that most engineers must deal with is being able to multitask," said Darcy Dement, a senior product manager at National Instruments. "That was something I struggled with as a new engineer six years ago." She noted that being able to prioritize among several projects can often present a bigger challenge than the technology itself.
With defense orders surging at Raytheon, engineer Bob Rassa agrees that it is a challenge to keep from overworking engineers and other technical staff. "Quality of life issues, such as the need to balance between work and family life, are a real concern," said Rassa, who also serves as the president of the IEEE's Instrumentation & Measurement Society.
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Duane Quam, a Minnesota engineer who develops manufacturing tests for JDS Uniphase, cited "working with new technology" and "having enough people to do the job" as two of the chief pressures he faces. "You need to be so much more efficient today," he said.
Even with increasing workloads, most engineers remain fairly content with their work. Our reader survey shows that 81% of respondents are either satisfied or very satisfied with their work. The three biggest contributors to job contentment: a feeling of accomplishment (41%), technical challenges (37%), and salary (31%).
"Creativity in test methods is critical to the success of every product, and it is important for organizations to understand and appreciate that," said Jeff Lewis, quality assurance manager for Arrow International, a Pennsylvania-based medical equipment company. "So the work environment itself plays a big role in job satisfaction."
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| See other survey results below: What three factors do you think are most important to an engineer's career advancement? Which one area are you most concerned about? |
With the first of the huge baby boomer population turning 60 next year, medical companies like Arrow can look forward to rising business opportunities, which will benefit engineers. Also enjoying solid business: OEMs and their suppliers in commercial aircraft, off-road and heavy equipment, cell phones, and other consumer electronics. Boeing's orders, for example, were up 25% for the first four months of 2005, versus the same period in 2004, while Caterpillar is projecting at least a 35% jump in profits this year to a record $2.6 billion. Apple Computer, with its hot iPod product, enjoyed first quarter profits that were up 530% over the same 2004 quarter.
But other sectors of manufacturing—most notably automotive—find themselves reeling from foreign competition and, in the case of General Motors and Ford, internal problems as well. Add to that the movement of more manufacturing operations to China and the outsourcing of more engineering jobs to foreign countries, and it's no surprise to see a nagging sense of worry among many engineers. The reader survey finds job security as the biggest single concern of respondents.
"The globalization of the economy is producing a demand for cheaper and cheaper goods, and as a result, we are shipping our future to China," said Roger Fish, a 30-year engineering test veteran in Wisconsin. His company, Jefferson Electric, makes power transformers for factories and is feeling the pressure from lower-priced Chinese products.
Looking ahead, job growth for electrical and electronic engineers is expected to lag the average of all occupations, according to the latest Department of Labor forecast. The DOL's "Occupational Outlook Handbook 2004–2005 Edition" predicts that EE jobs will expand from 292,000 in 2002 to between 300,760 and 318,280 in 2012. That amounts to a projected increase in EE jobs of between 3% and 9%, compared to a 14.8% gain for the average of all occupations.
In summarizing the situation facing the EE field, the report notes: "Although rising demand for electrical and electronic goods, including advanced communications equipment, defense-related electronic equipment, and consumer electronics products should increase, foreign competition for electronic products and increasing use of engineering services performed in other countries will act to limit employment growth. Job growth is expected to be fastest in service industries—particularly consulting firms that provide electronic engineering expertise."
Taking the initiativeWith a tough job climate ahead, engineers see a need to become broader and more attuned to the business mission of their companies. "When technology was king, engineering led the pack," recalled Bob Durstenfeld with California's RAE Systems, which makes gas and radiation detection instruments. "Now, it is all about satisfying the consumer, and marketing plays a far bigger role." Because of this trend, Durstenfeld urges engineers to develop a "public persona" and learn to work more closely with customers.
AT Net Test, a Utica, NY, firm that makes equipment to test fiber-optic components and networks, Erik Wend agrees that engineers need to get broader in their outlook. "It can be as simple as being willing to do a white paper that will benefit customers," he said. "Such activities may seem like a distraction from your engineering duties, but they will make you more valuable to your company."
Dement of National Instruments also said that successful engineers need to have a blend of technical and business sense and be able to distinguish the features that are essential for a product, versus those that are tangential. "Today, it's not enough to be a great engineer," she explained. "You need to have an eye for business as well. The people who learn to do both become the real superstars."
What's the best way to get plugged into the business issues and corporate culture of your company? "Find a good mentor," advised Lewis of Arrow International. He also puts great stock in the development of "emotional intelligence," as described by Daniel Goleman in his best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. "You may be getting the desired results from your tests, but you have to be able to communicate these findings to others, and that plays into the whole teamwork theme."
In the T&MW survey, respondents placed "ability to function as a team player" and "communications and presentation skills" in the top four factors needed for career advancement. They also cited "keeping current on technology" as their second biggest career concern, indicating a need for continuing education, if not a formal advanced degree. "If you go for a graduate degree, you'll not only show your company that you're serious about your career, but you'll also meet some of the best people in your field," observed Keller of the ASTE. Among his other career tips, especially targeted to young engineers:
- Keep a daily log of your engineering activities, so managers can better understand your contributions,
- Take some business courses and investigate forming your own company,
- Understand what is happening on an international scale in your field, and
- Publish papers and attend conferences in your specialty as a way to build your network.
All these suggestions boil down to the need for engineers to be more broader based and more business savvy than ever before. They will also need to get used to the fast development cycle and quick changes that mark today's companies. And that includes being able to roll with the punches as projects get scrapped for more marketable ideas.
Even so, observers see the test field as more than holding its own in the engineering hierarchy. Dement of National Instruments likes the fact that her test work gives her a glimpse of a wide range of new technologies before they reach the marketplace. Durstenfeld of RAE Systems sees solid growth in automated test as companies try to ramp up volume and squeeze more costs out of their manufacturing processes.
Still others predict a growing demand for test services, both from equipment suppliers and independent engineering consultants. "The test field will continue to grow," said Lewis of Arrow International. "Not only is there the need to meet the scrutiny of government regulations, but companies themselves want a lot more evidence to prove that a product will meet all performance requirements throughout its lifecycle."
| Feeling of accomplishment | 41% |
| Technical challenge | 37% |
| Salary | 31% |
| Advancement opportunities | 24% |
| Job security | 24% |
| Benefits | 23% |
| Company's financial health | 16% |
| Relationship with boss | 16% |
| Relationship with colleagues | 15% |
| Location | 14% |
| Feeling of recognition | 14% |
| Leading a team | 11% |
| Workload | 11% |
| Managing people | 5% |
| Relationship with subordinates | 5% |
| Company size | 4% |
| Physical or ergonomic environment at work (positive or negative) | 3% |
| Travel | 3% |
| Other | 1% |
| Leadership in solving tough engineering challenges | 64% |
| Ability to complete test projects on time and within budget | 50% |
| Ability to function as a team player | 49% |
| Communication and presentation skills | 47% |
| A flare for creative ideas | 32% |
| Demonstrated talent for managing others | 29% |
| Superior computer and programming skills | 12% |
| Other | 4% |
| Job security | 35% |
| Keeping current on technology | 18% |
| Management support | 15% |
| Sufficient operating budget | 12% |
| Outsourcing | 11% |
| Company merger or acquisition | 5% |
| Keeping current on regulations | 1% |
| Other | 3% |
