Process/chemical engineering jobs (Houston, Beaumont: apartment, renting, transfer to)

[bimori]

hey everyone, i really want to move to houston, tx my wife and i just because i geel its the best move we should make right now career wise. i am a chemical engineer, and she's an electrical engineer so i feel like we would have enough job opportunities to pull from. She works out in california and gets paid pretty good, and i work out of mississippi. We've both considered moving out there, and renting out an apartment while we search for jobs. i dont think this is a good move, but i also think it gives us a better opportunity since we would have a tx adress, and companies wont need to pay relocation. for the right job, i'll relocate myself and even find myself down there for an interview, but i'm skeptical about also quiting my present Job with a reputable company. Any one had any expereince with this of any though is appreciated...

-Alex

[dcoolbro]

Engineers are in pretty good demand in Houston. I don't think it's necessary that you move here first. I'd apply to a good company and allow them to relocate you. Why put the burden on yourselves? There are plenty of companies out there who will pay relocation cost if you have the right skills. Chemical and Electrical engineering are high demand skills almost anywhere. But if you don't want to do that you can go the contractor route. The pay is usual more, but you're usually expected to relocate yourself. In my case, I applied to a company online and the company relocated me to Houston from Seattle 2 months later. It may not happen right away, but if you're patient things will work out. Since there's two of you the odds are good that at least one of you will find something without having to pay for relocation cost.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by dcoolbro

But if you don't want to do that you can go the contractor route. The pay is usual more, but you're usually expected to relocate yourself.

As far as the big $ goes, you could also maybe look at field engineering. There are monster construction projects going on in the Beaumont-Port Arthur-Orange area. It's about 90-100 miles east of Houston on average, but many of the engineering contractors have large Houston offices. Ideally, you could get on board in Houston, then transfer to the field after a month. Stay in the field for 2-3 years, rake in the overtime & per diems, then transfer back to Houston when the project is over.

[CanTex]

Why not first try to get positions from where you are currently living?

As a chemical engineer, your skills are in very high demand in Houston (I'm a chemical engineer...)

Reputable companies hiring experienced engineers will not be too concerned that you're not living locally -- most recruit nationally and even internationally. Relocation assistance would be more typical than not for this profession (especially if you have some experience).

[blancspons]

Originally Posted by tstone

As far as the big $ goes, you could also maybe look at field engineering. There are monster construction projects going on in the Beaumont-Port Arthur-Orange area. It's about 90-100 miles east of Houston on average, but many of the engineering contractors have large Houston offices. Ideally, you could get on board in Houston, then transfer to the field after a month. Stay in the field for 2-3 years, rake in the overtime & per diems, then transfer back to Houston when the project is over.

Where can I get more specific info (company names, etc.) on this and/or offshore engineering jobs?

I'd like to move from the office to a field or offshore position.

Thanks!

[bimori]

I appreciate the answers. i'm used to being relocated. both companies i've worked for relocated me, an di definitely expect the next one too. I guess the main thing is to be patient and just leave. The sad part is that i turned down an interview in the beaumont area because i was undecided about moving...Guess i'll keep looking..Can anyone recommend any companies currently hiring or good places to apply from. i already use monster and career builder.

[Oildog]

Check out oil company websites. There are many jobs in Houston for both of your engineering disciplines....If you going to be successful in the il business you will be moving from time to time.

[Bily Lovec]

fluor
Technip
Mustang
Bechtel
Jacobs
Stone & Webster (they have lots of nuclear now)
KBR

those are a few.

what area of town are you or will be living in ?

[DanBrigenza]

I have 7 yrs experience in manufacturing, production with bachelor's degree degree in chemical engineering from India. I completed my MBA from Boston. But I have hard tme to locate an employer to transfer/sponser H1B. I have H1B with an Indian employer and I want to transfer ASAP.
Please let me know if there is any employer list who sponser H1B in chemical engineering/manufacturing field.

Originally Posted by Bily Lovec

fluor
Technip
Mustang
Bechtel
Jacobs
Stone & Webster (they have lots of nuclear now)
KBR

those are a few.

what area of town are you or will be living in ?

[maxx25]

My company is currently hiring all kinds of engineers....let me know if i can help.