<p>Hi everybody Im wondering is there such a thing as a technical specialist in an engineering field? I just recently started my B.S. in CompE and plan on continuing into an M.S. I want to study embedded systems, mainly microcontrollers. Where I am attending school, U of H, there grad. program falls under two interdisplinary programs of Computer Engineering or Computer Controlled Systems. I know its still a few years away but when that time comes which one is more in my field of interest of embedded systems?</p>
<p>I plan on pursuing a career in the medical device/equipment field. The reason for my question of technical specialist is that I do not have a desire of moving into a type of management position. Thats why Id rather choose an M.S. over an MBA. I do realize that I will be working in a team environment which I like and also like writing research papers. Ive been online looking at job positions and is a Senior ___ ___ Engineer considered a technical specialist? Is it frowned upon within a company if you would rather just commit youself to staying in the technical field instead of moving into management? One more question…is there such a thing as an engineering consultant? If there is would that involve just being involved in contracting work; working on projects with different companies.
Thanks for any info.</p>
<p>Well Ive been do little bit of research about trying to become a specialist in an engineering field. Belive it or not I found some info in a interview/answer article under the question “Where do you plan to be in five years?”
[Tough</a> Interview Questions and the Answers Managers Want](<a href=“http://www.microsearchsf.com/intrvucw.htm]Tough”>http://www.microsearchsf.com/intrvucw.htm). It mentioned companies are starting to develop a technical career track for those that do not want to go into management. Most companies call this position “consultant”, “senior ___ engineer”, or “staff engineer”. So I guess I was kind of right about the job title.
Im still wondering about my MS option of straight Computer Engineering or Computer Controlled Systems w/my interest in embedded systems. As far as my career which one should I look into more.</p>
<p>This type of engineer is quite common. In general, career engineers (as opposed to those who go management) simply need to find a niche that balances breadth and depth. In my last position, I had to check all my designs with a senior senior senior engineer who served as our top guy in designing one particular component - very deep, very narrow. In my current position I work with system architects who handle a surprising depth but need knowledge across the entire system (including all major subsystems) - not as deep, but as broad as possible. In both cases these are not management positions (although such people often move in and out of management if they choose) but are senior technical experts.</p>
<p>Just as a reference, my company has six “bands” of engineers - the first three roughly correspond to BS/MS/PhD (or lesser degrees with experience), and you must reach the fourth before you can have a management position. All promotions up to band 4 are internal to your own organization - that is, if your boss thinks you should be promoted, you get promoted. Promotions to bands 5 and 6 require the approval of a company-wide professional review board, and represent the true core of our engineering knowledge. Both the engineers I mentioned previously came from this group.</p>
<p>So cosmicfish, when you reach band 4 for possible management position and you turn it down and give good reasons do you think its frowned upon in your company? I think I would rather be in charge of a project, mentor jr. engineers, complete the project on time and turn the paperwork into management. Of course Im not sure thats how the system works, I just started my degree. So whats bands 5 and 6? Would that be the R&D division, I know most companies usually require a Phd for that.</p>
<p>First of all, you don’t generally “turn down management” - you have to apply for management positions, they are not just offered to you, and in any case there is no stigma attached to turning them down. In my company, band 5+ personnel often move in and out of management positions anyway, so someone who decides not to go for management this year may well do so a few years down the road.</p>
<p>Bands 5 and 6 are not at limited to R&D, although it is certainly true that they (as a group) are more involved with research than bands 1 and 2. Most departments have a few engineers at this level, mentoring, advising, and tackling the more difficult problems. While the percentage of engineers with a PhD increases with band number, I know a few band 6 engineers without them (although I have not yet met one with just a BS). There are a few special departments where band 5+ engineers are the majority and at least one that is generally restricted to band 5+, but they are not all focused on R&D - that all 5+ department is in charge of system architecture and are responsible for overseeing the design of all major products. While some of these designs involve R&D, many are relatively routine but require extensive knowledge and experience.</p>
<p>Well from what you told me about the company you work for Im getting a grasp on my OP about job title. Im more interested in the technical track than management and what you described for bands 5+ seems on what I want to do. Like you mentioned before it requires extensive knowledge and experience. When that time comes hopefully internships and job shadowing will help me out. Thanks.</p>