Hello guys, I'm 28 years old and holding a MSc. I have been working in a company as an mechanical design engineer for 2 years in Singapore. Well basically I'm designing mostly automation machine and small standard part for site.

So now I'm actually kinda lost, just a weird feeling like I'm in my comfort zone long enough and think it is time to take a step forward (sorry unneassary info for u guys xD). When I search from the Internet of what a mechanical engineer could do in the future, what Google showed me was just becoming a P. E or we call it IR in Malaysia. But there is one thing that contradict my thoughts. Well getting a P. E may need a recognized institute but my uni is not in the list, so I was thinking is there any other side path we can go? I have found out abit info like going for steam engineer license, six sigma black belt licence kind of thing... Are there any other options? Thank you very much.

P. S if for steam engineer, totally out of the option as I need to go back malaysia and start from 0 again. I don't mind going back to my home country but reversing the path is not very wise choice for me as I'm reaching 30 soon.

The automotive industry has no luck in Malaysia..although if you managed to get IR, it would not carry any bearing in the automotive industry..

Hmm I get that too, feel like I'm stucked in this industry. Any idea what kind of certificate we can get as a mechanical engineer? Like a license or something.

You can join the Safety and Health discipline as a Registered Competent Person.

Owh, but I'm already a member there for height safety. I'm not sure if that's considered. Haha

Mechanical Engineering is undervalue in Msia unless you're in O&G.

The rest, just typical..

you can get PE in singapore too right. that will definitely worth something. Other than PE, career paths that you may want to consider.

1) Project manager- get certified for PMP
2) Energy manager - get certified for energy manager (singapore also have if I am not mistaken. Malaysia (called REEM) also have under suruhan jaya tenaga). This if you want to move into energy management field.
3) Technical ladder/corporate ladder in whatever company - you can just climb those ladders, be promoted from executives all the way to president.

Wa thanks man, I sense hope now. But climbing ladder ain't my type haha. Guess energy manager could be my type. Thankss

i'll share to you my path as a mechanical engineer

2014: graduated with bachelor degree (Hons)
2014: got hired to a japanese MNC company, doing Mech Design & R&D (and yes the best place to learn mechanical design) for electronic consumer product
2018: left that company after 3.5yrs, joined another emerging Japanese MNC in R&D (role is more to project and also some design due to it's still new, im pioneer)
2018: after 10months, i left and joined an Italian electronic company but as an Application Engineer (my highest salary jump so far)

in between these career jump, i seek actively in jobstreet etc
reason is because i felt undervalued in terms of salary and talent appreciation (like one forumer said, probably in OnG you're more valued)

Mechanical Design by states/industries from my exposure
Penang - electronics industry
Selangor - automation & automative industry
Johor - a lot of mix & match industry, but i see many suppliers (tool makers, injection molders, metal stamping)

in the end, its what you want to do or seek:
salary?
career?
location?

for me, i am seeking for a role in between sales and technical (Project seems to fit in this role or maybe application) thus now i left my comfort zone as a designer and doing application now

This post has been edited by kyxxx: Oct 17 2018, 09:46 AM

Actually I believe every mechanical engineer work for the sense of accomplishment. That's why designing is what we chose at first. But slowly we may realize doing design could only give us a sense of accomplishment but not a living.

Can i know what's good about mnc beside the ladder and pay?

Location ofcourse mau balik malaysia kerja but if to go back, I need to have my aim like what's the next step. Not like going to repeat what I'm doing here, need more aim to motivate myself. Need more challenge haha. Guess going chartered will be one of my choices. Have u thought of getting chartered?

Yes, sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from our work result.
For living, as mechanical engineer in certain industry, very demotivating.
Only manager/SM and above get to enjoy high pay etc. others are kuli haha

MNC is systematic, you learn about company system, proper work flow, and management
You can be an all rounder with systematic skills
Of course in small company you do all and learn all (but many small company dont have proper work flow/process, and lots of possible politics)
In MNC, and especially if your boss is an expatriate, you learn and you get protection? haha

I am not sure about the potential of chartered engineer.
It's only useful if you're in consulting or construction line which alot of documentation needs your approval for it
In MNC, these are basically useless, because all approval is from HQ.

Like mentioned, MNC company offers better system with proper workflow/documentations.
It might also come with better overall benefits like insurance, dental etc, not to mention you might get the chance to travel overseas.

smaller company alot of hands on, you might be the one going to install the equipment at site together with the technicians instead of just sitting in the office waiting for updates. good if you want like it

IMHO, chartered engineers is useful those involved in approving documents and also tendering projects, other than not that useful (MNC also uses chartered engineer, not necessarily for approval only)

if you are into energy management, you can either be involved in utilities and maintenance management for whatever company (companies that provide utilities such as district cooling), or even managing facilities systems in any buildings/factory. Also, if you are interested in doing energy audit, you can also become consultants in ESCO companies, or even form your own in future. Good luck.

Hi. Can I know the name of the Japanese company where you did your mechanical engineering?

i know one ME, joined O&G to do costing for their oil equipment.

why are they in demand by O&G ?