Mechanical engineer wanting to apply for a software engineering position

J

junn

New Member
I have a master's in mechanical engineering.
However I would like to get a position as a software engineer in the US.
The "Engineer" category seems to be a grey zone since there are no denominations of engineer as for example with scientist. I understand the experience in this case counts for nothing.
Therefore, I am wondering how this will work out at the border.
Will here be an issue if I show up with a mechanical engineering degree and pure software development role as the job description?
Is there any leeway on the education side. In my particular case, I learned coding through my engineering degree. Both my master's thesis and my industrial internship, the two most important components in the last year were almost exclusively coding. Is this something that I can indicate or show at the border?
If the job description requests an engineering degree does this make an difference.
I appreciate any help.
The uncertainty is quite frustrating.
 
Your letter best indicate that you will be using your Mech Eng background it your job description.
 
So insisting on the parts of my education which qualify me for the position won't help?
It all rests on the letter from the company with my job description?
That's pretty disappointing.
 
Yes, your job has to match your education, which is mechanical engineering. That doesn't mean you can't get a software engineering job, but for it to be considered engineering, it must rely on your engineering knowledge, no? Otherwise it is a software design job.
 
First of all, I should have mention my thanks before my previous post. I appreciate your comments.
The idea I had would be to apply for software engineer. Software engineer according to the OOH is an alternate name for software developer. To become a software developer, according to the OOH, the following education is required:
"Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics. "
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So given that as I studied engineering, the required education above, as long as I can show that the engineering that I studied qualifies me to do the job and the job description requires a software engineer, then I can't see the issue. That is what I mean by this being a grey zone.
 
Right, RELATED FIELD. It always comes down to your education being related to your job description.
 
jt2023 said:
@Ju

Please update if you successfully received TN visa
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Hello Ju,

I am still in the Job hunting process which is not going particularly smoothly at the moment. It think it is generally not the best time to be getting an IT position in the US and any requirement for a visa seems to be a massive hindrance.
A lot seems to happen through contacts though though the normal channels like LinkedIn and Indeed do yield something.
I have however changed my search to look for something that does have a strong mechanical engineering argument.
This is based on following text from Bulletin 11, March 16, 2005:
Engineers may not fill computer-related jobs under TN classification unless they have credentials as computer or software engineers from institutions that recognize computer or software engineering as bona fide engineering specialties offering full engineering credentials, such as professional engineering licenses. Furthermore, the US positions to be filled must require this level of credentials.
Click to expand...
And here is the link to that:
https ://static1.squarespace.com/static/5005d3a9e4b0d534734e8fde/t/501a975ae4b01ee276c209c6/1343919962888/
(Had to put a space after the https to fool the forum into letting me post it. Remove before using)
This seems to be the latest communication on the TN Status.

When I do get a job and go through the process, I will check back in to pass on my experience.

Best of Luck.
 
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