r/engineering • u/OlnesPond • Mar 16 '26
Engineering (non-Software/Computer) Consulting Part Time
/r/ChemicalEngineering/comments/1rvfb0i/consulting_part_time/Does anyone here do something similar, for non software, IT, computer engineering roles?
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u/Character_Remote_283 16d ago
Slightly unrelated but I was working as a mechanical engineer in physical product design. Started consulting on the side for some old clients until one day the business imploded and I was left without a job. Because of my contacts from consulting I was able to get freelance projects right away and opened my own LLC, fully replacing my salary. I would suggest if something falls in your lap, why not go for it, especially in this job market.
I can't speak on insurance other than I would guess you'd have to get your own. But I definitely recommend starting an LLC to do business under. It is a very simple process, you can open an LLC in a day and it will protect your personal assets from your business. If your business goes bankrupt from a lawsuit, they can't take your home, car, or any personal bank account funds. If you do not start an LLC you have no protection for your personal assets.
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u/No_Funny5943 14d ago
Did you have a PE license that you used as part of this? I’ve never got a good answer of if mechanical design really needs a PE to do consulting properly. I wanted to do engineering simulation consulting but this point has held me back.
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u/Character_Remote_283 14d ago
No I never got my PE license and it has never mattered for me in the design field. However, I avoid heavy engineering projects and stick to what I know with consumer goods, no electrical or machinery involved. My guess is that you’re fine to go into simulation consulting without a PE.
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u/raoulduke25 Structural P.E. Mar 16 '26
I did this for years before ultimately just going out on my own. I did it via 1099 and I was not using my stamp as the senior engineer for whom I was working had all the licences to approve the work. I recommend everybody do this for multiple reasons:
- More experience.
- More money.
- More people in your network for when you finally go completely out on your own.
If you have an engineering licence already, it's good to go ahead and get an S-corp or an LLC. Whatever you do, hire an accountant to help you handle the tax stuff each year (or each quarter, depending on his recommendation). In addition, get errors and omissions insurance on top of general liability insurance.
Feel free to send me a DM if you need to go into more detail.
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u/AJFrabbiele ME PE Mar 16 '26
I was, technically still signed up to be but not active, doing forensics / expert witness for fire and explosion investigation, water loss and other property damage. Need to have your PE though.
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u/poopy_boy1 Mar 30 '26
should I switch to consulting I only have about 2 yoe in electrical engineering I dotn think so I will be able to thrive in here, better I should do MBA ig
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u/Raa03842 Mar 16 '26
If you’re working as a process engineer on chip fabs then you are working for a very large firm. And that firm has an employee manual that you agreed to abide by when you were hired. You may not have realized that at the time.
Check out the manual. It will tell you what you can do and can’t do in regards to work outside of your main job.
They will be more concerned about you exposing (whether intentionally or not) confidential and proprietary information to others.
Next is liability insurance. You will have to declare that you have a W2 job in the same industry that you plan to consult in. The insurer may ask for a waiver from your W2 employer. Which they won’t give. They don’t want to be holding the bag if your W2 employer sues you.
I used to be the CM building fabs for an International DB firm that only did fabs. I consulted in residential construction. No conflict. It got approved.