What is a realistic job level to get with M.S. in Engineering

[Stiganator]

With an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering emphasis in Neural Engineering what is a realistic job level to shoot for?

Industry experience is limited to a summer internship at one of the big 3 medical companies.

Engineer II?

Or would I be better off finishing off a PhD?

 

[darthsidious]

Totally depends on your particular specialty, which I'll let someone else comment about. Some areas, without a Phd, you're basically a lab rat, while in other engg. fields, a bachelors is enough. Your industry experience should have given you some exposure to the typical backgrounds of your colleagues. Did most of them have Phd's?

I wouldn't worry too much about titles like Engg. II etc. Most companies will have a standard grade/job title for fresh grads/master's students. Just make sure they pay you commesurate with respect to the industry average.

FWIW, I'm an Engg. (Electrical) with a masters in analog design, and I got a job as an Engg II level grade. I had some internship experience.

 

[Stiganator]

Any other engineers have 0.02 on this?

 

[krotchy]

I have an MS and BS in Electrical Engineering with a 1.5yr internship for the Government. I was hired on as Engineer 1 at my current job, I just get paid more than the other Engineer 1's. Don't fool yourself, Engineer 2+ requires experience (where I work at least), a Masters degree does not equal experience, it just means you will be able to jump through ranks quicker and will get paid more along the way.

However it really depends on what the company defines as Engineer 1-2. Some companies have Engineer 1-10 or so. Some 1-5 etc. The numbers are arbitrary and Engineer 1 at some places could mean the same as Engineer 2 at others (where Engineer 1 is essentially a glorified technician).

 

[Tiamat]

For pharmaceutical, I have noticed they want PhD. For engineering title, most likely you will start as a 1. I am finding out (I have MSChE) that companies don't really care about internships if they aren't specific to the position you are applying for.

For example, for research scientist 1, in the Boston area pharmaceuticals, they are looking for ph.D with 5 years industry experience. Pretty crazy requirements imho.

 

[Fenixgoon]

you shouldn't have to worry. see what the NIH has to offer, maybe? my sister is working for them right now (she's a bio major)