Christine
How many days a week do you work as a mechanical engineer?
I was wondering if it would be a normal day job or if you would have to work overtime or odd hours. #engineering #mechanical-engineering #mechanical-engineer
4 answers
John Ellis
John’s Answer
Mechanical Engineers, in almost all situations, are considered to be professionals and do not work "by the hour." or "on the clock." Many organizations let their professional personnel work flexible hours to do whatever t takes to get the job done. However most organizations expect you to work the regular hours that most others do so you are available for staff activities and to share your skills with others as requested. So, with all that, what's the answer to your question? In my experience the regular hours were 5 days per week, about 8 hours per day. But when the job schedules were tight I have worked 60 hours per week and more, at all hours of the day or night.
My suggestion is get a skill and a job where you won't care about how many days per week or hours per day you have to work. Get a job that is so challenging, even "fun," that you won't ask about the hours. Interesting work wher you have freedom to work to the solution and time to care for your other interests is what you want. If your job is so boring that you have to worry about the hours you'l never be happy.
Sam Seldon, P.E.
Sam’s Answer
Hi Christine,
I currently work five days per week, Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm. In my past jobs, Monday through Friday were the days worked but the time was 8am to 5pm. These are pretty typical work schedules. Mandatory overtime is very rare, at least for me, and has only happened in emergency/project critical type situations. Most overtime is voluntary, meaning you choose to work overtime, because you have a desire to finish whatever task you are working on.
Hope this helps,
Sam
Christine, I presently work as a salaried employee. My work hours are charged to projects. However in my early years as an engineering supervisor, I did get overtime. This was not work as a mechanical engineer.
David M. Glaze, PMP
Simon Robson
Simon’s Answer
Engineering is considered "professional" and no overtime is paid for hours over a 40 hour week. As the other gentleman stated pursue a job that you like and overtime is not a burden. I worked up from a non degrees piping designed to the North American Engineering Manager for a major chemical company. I worker extra hours to finish designs, write contracts/specifications and work shutdowns early in my career. Later in my career I worked budgets, held/attended meetings and performed project reviews, flying a lot on my own time. On average I probably worked a 50 hour week but received bonuses almost every year to reward me for my results and effort.