Where can I mechanical engineer find a job in Eastern Tennessee? (Oak Ridge: sales, house)

[anjoe]

and what areas have the largest volume of manufacturing plants where a engineer could find a job? How's the living enviroment around Greeneville and Oak Ridge compared to other growth areas in Tennessee? Thanks for any information......

[mbmouse]

Hello,
Hubby is a M.E. too. It is not easy to find a job here, there isn't much of a turn over. The best way he has found is through a recruiter. Check your DM, I will send you contact info of several who have contacted hubby over the years. Pay rate is much less here than other parts of the country for this field. He gets several calls a month or more offering him jobs in other states for at least 20k a year more however, we don't want to live anywhere else. The cost of living is subjective. It really depends on what you need/want and what is important to you. If you plan to be a homeowner here, cost of living is very low comparatively. Property taxes are MUCH lower, dollar for dollar you get more house for the price tag. Smaller taxes such as auto registration is VERY low, $30 a year. However, sales tax is high, 9.75% on just about everything, but that is state wide.
Honestly, I have found Greeneville to be very "Good ol boy network" clicky when it comes to finding a job. You have to know someone. I can not comment on OR as I do not know. Have you looked further into the Tri-Cities? There are many industries in the are that have M.E.'s on staff.
Hope that helps.