u/shadowcat444

I started a new engineering position recently at a large OEM automotive company, and the difference between how I am treated here versus at my previous position at a midsize company is night and day

My coworkers talk to me like I’m part of the team, like I’m competent, like I know what I’m doing. They respect my questions, and don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking. They are happy to help without being overbearing or treating me like I’m incompetent. They’re happy to talk about non work related things in a friendly manner. Instead of just assuming I don’t know something, they ask if I do.

This kind of treatment contrasts wildly with my experience at my previous company, where I felt like I was being treated like a “woman” (in a degrading misogynistic way) instead of just a person, part of the team, and engineer. I would constantly be interrupted, they would treat me like I’m stupid despite being in an important technical role with large responsibility.

I had some coworkers tell me to my face I probably only got hired because of DEI, and not because I’m an actual degreed engineer. Ideas I brought up at meetings would be glossed over, but when a man brings up the same idea they run with it. People would act weird and treat me as an “other” to be avoided, talked down to, or even act creepy towards. Looking back, it was a very hostile environment.

It’s relieving to know that companies exist where that kind of treatment isn’t normal.

I see stories here about how badly women are treated every day and while it’s validating to see others have had similar experiences, it’s very disheartening to see how common it is : (

It feels like we have to work 10 times as hard to get half the recognition, all while people think we know nothing or had our roles handed to us because of being a “minority hire”

So frustrating

I’m posting this because it was a significant revelation to me that my old place was THAT bad comparatively. If you are in a misogynistic environment, there are better places and better teams, don’t lose hope 🫂🩷

Hi everyone, (sorry if this has been asked before, this is my first time visiting this sub and I’m happy to take it down if necessary)

I have a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree and have been working as what I understand as a systems engineer for about 5 years. Maybe you can tell me if it doesn’t make the cut, or if it falls under another category

I was responsible for what I consider the “big picture” in relation to my company’s product. Integrating all components and subsystems into entire engine systems as a whole, creating the layout of all components in CAD and the associated full-assembly drawings, interfacing with customers to incorporate the requests and resolve issues, designing certain custom top-level components, working with manufacturing to resolve assembly issues, conducting test fits, signing off on engineering changes from a “layout” perspective, and more. I can provide clearer examples and details if needed.

Would you consider this under the category of systems engineering, or something else?

I have been searching for job opening to apply to, but noticed almost all the jobs I search for with the title of “systems engineer” are looking for someone with a programming/software background and not mechanical like me.

From what I’ve read on other threads here, systems engineering can mean many different things depending on the company and the product, and who is defining it.

Is there a way you recommend to find positions that actually relate to what I did?

Thank you for the help!