What are the top jobs in Engineering

Everyone know that being a Brain Surgeon or an Investment Banker comes with a lot prestige (and money) but what's the equivalent in the Engineering sector. Which roles do company salary bid the most for or what firms are known to have the best paid talented engineers.

I hope this isn't a silly question to ask, I am only just curious.

Thanks

Reply 1

stocklog

I would say Research Engineer or Engineer working in R&D dept. but they are usually recruited straight after a PhD.

Maybe companies that produce specialise software like FEA or analytical companies like Exponent (£60,000 for entry PhD jobs)

Reply 2

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by grey_boredom

Everyone know that being a Brain Surgeon or an Investment Banker comes with a lot prestige (and money) but what's the equivalent in the Engineering sector. Which roles do company salary bid the most for or what firms are known to have the best paid talented engineers.
I hope this isn't a silly question to ask, I am only just curious.
Thanks

Engineering consultancy & the energy sector are both very well compensated (graduate salaries £35-50k depending on the company). A lot of these companies also have very strong total compensation packages, for example if they have excellent perks, pension, private healthcare & a wellness package these all add up (bupa + david lloyds membership + company travel agent with complimentary upgrades etc. + if the company pays 10-20% of your salary in pension without salary sacrifice) these can be worth £10,000+ a year so make a huge difference, they greatly improve life quality and do not show up on the bottom line of salary.

Another thing is what type of engineer you are, if you can deliver work that is impactful on high level you will do well. your influence on product delivery or your ability to lead other engineers are what separate those who are very well compensated from those who earn a more “average” salary.

Id note it is possible to be in a prestigious company and just do ok financially & simultaneously work in a niche company and make multiple hundreds of thousands as a chief engineer... your impact is the separator.

Reply 3

grey_boredom

Original post by mnot

Engineering consultancy & the energy sector are both very well compensated (graduate salaries £35-50k depending on the company). A lot of these companies also have very strong total compensation packages, for example if they have excellent perks, pension, private healthcare & a wellness package these all add up (bupa + david lloyds membership + company travel agent with complimentary upgrades etc. + if the company pays 10-20% of your salary in pension without salary sacrifice) these can be worth £10,000+ a year so make a huge difference, they greatly improve life quality and do not show up on the bottom line of salary.
Another thing is what type of engineer you are, if you can deliver work that is impactful on high level you will do well. your influence on product delivery or your ability to lead other engineers are what separate those who are very well compensated from those who earn a more “average” salary.
Id note it is possible to be in a prestigious company and just do ok financially & simultaneously work in a niche company and make multiple hundreds of thousands as a chief engineer... your impact is the separator.

Thanks for replying.

Could you name some companies? And from my very limited knowledge, I thought the defence sector was up on that list.

Reply 4

Smack

Original post by grey_boredom

There isn't really an equivalent. Many different sectors rely on engineering and employ engineers, with each sector likely having its more prestigious names, which may be built on a reputation for employing the best engineers in their sector. You can't compare engineers between different sectors or skillsets.

Reply 5

username872704

Where I work? Chief Engineer for either one of the in-design/development programmes or on an exiting platform (air, naval, lad etc) is the pinnacle engineering job with safety, engineering, regulatory and financial responsibilities for their platform in addition to political and diplomatic skills to bring industry, operator and owner parties together. If it's air or nuclear then you have additional responsibilities as well.

Any higher up the chain, you aren't really an engineer anymore. More an administrator.