Help me invent a whizbang new job title!
October 1, 2021 1:53 PM Subscribe
I'd like to find a new job title that accurately represents my somewhat niche physical/digital technology position. I think Management would support any change that isn't too highfalutin...
My official job title is "Programmer," which in this context is short for "CNC Programmer," which in the Heavy Steel Fabrication Industry is (generally speaking) a job for CAD professionals not machinists (I am the former). However, over time (and being rehired/promoted after a brief tenure elsewhere), the scope of my responsibilities and authority has grown considerably, such that actually directing machines to cut parts constitutes the smallest part of what I do.
I could safely be called "Lead CNC Programmer," as I supervise (though am not the manager of) a couple other programmers and a half-dozen machine operators in the execution of their duties. I also supervise machine maintenance and calibration (though am not the Maintenance Supervisor), and the deployment and upkeep of programming software and associated network infrastructure.
I also legitimately "program" in the general sense of the word, developing software tools to automate CNC programming and program management processes for the company.
And I have recently taken over day-to-day sysadmin tasks from the retiring IT Manager (though there are no other IT employees), and am responsible for a smattering of other technology-related activities, programming radios, running non-destructive testing equipment, etc...
(Oh and I do a little tooling design and drafting too.)
Tldr;
-- I troubleshoot issues with and generally manage our medium sized company's computers, network, and CNC machines and their cutting processes.
-- Information Technology + Industrial Technology?
-- I know that "Technologist" (like "Engineer") is title protected by professional organizations, but darn if it doesn't seem appropriate.
My official job title is "Programmer," which in this context is short for "CNC Programmer," which in the Heavy Steel Fabrication Industry is (generally speaking) a job for CAD professionals not machinists (I am the former). However, over time (and being rehired/promoted after a brief tenure elsewhere), the scope of my responsibilities and authority has grown considerably, such that actually directing machines to cut parts constitutes the smallest part of what I do.
I could safely be called "Lead CNC Programmer," as I supervise (though am not the manager of) a couple other programmers and a half-dozen machine operators in the execution of their duties. I also supervise machine maintenance and calibration (though am not the Maintenance Supervisor), and the deployment and upkeep of programming software and associated network infrastructure.
I also legitimately "program" in the general sense of the word, developing software tools to automate CNC programming and program management processes for the company.
And I have recently taken over day-to-day sysadmin tasks from the retiring IT Manager (though there are no other IT employees), and am responsible for a smattering of other technology-related activities, programming radios, running non-destructive testing equipment, etc...
(Oh and I do a little tooling design and drafting too.)
Tldr;
-- I troubleshoot issues with and generally manage our medium sized company's computers, network, and CNC machines and their cutting processes.
-- Information Technology + Industrial Technology?
-- I know that "Technologist" (like "Engineer") is title protected by professional organizations, but darn if it doesn't seem appropriate.
The level of protection on the term "engineer" varies state by state and country by country, and I don't know where you are. In practice, in many states in the USA, so long as you don't pretend to be a licensed professional engineer (a licensed profession), and only refer to yourself as an "engineer", there is no issue with claiming the title.
I'm not aware of anywhere where the term "technologist" is licensed or protected.
To be honest, I view the job title of "technologist" somewhat derisively. I've seen it used by too many people that I wouldn't ever hire - people that are interested in a lot of areas, but not particularly competent in any of them. Your mile may vary, and other peoples' perception may vary.
You may consider the title "manufacturing engineer" or "lead manufacturing engineer". That said, the descriptions of work you are providing are fundamentally more akin to work by a technician rather than an engineer, so I personally would not give you that title. The work you're describing is operational, not developmental.
Perhaps something like "manufacturing production lead" or "manufacturing operations lead"?
posted by saeculorum at 2:12 PM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
I'm not aware of anywhere where the term "technologist" is licensed or protected.
To be honest, I view the job title of "technologist" somewhat derisively. I've seen it used by too many people that I wouldn't ever hire - people that are interested in a lot of areas, but not particularly competent in any of them. Your mile may vary, and other peoples' perception may vary.
You may consider the title "manufacturing engineer" or "lead manufacturing engineer". That said, the descriptions of work you are providing are fundamentally more akin to work by a technician rather than an engineer, so I personally would not give you that title. The work you're describing is operational, not developmental.
Perhaps something like "manufacturing production lead" or "manufacturing operations lead"?
posted by saeculorum at 2:12 PM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
First off, if you're worried about sounding "too high-falutin'" to people who can't name the positions for their employees, then maybe it's time to move on. You're already preparing to undersell yourself as a function of Management's emotions rather than your value to the company, and none of that is in your interests. Keep in mind that using wide-ranging titles like "Programmer" are used both to expand your responsibilities arbitrarily and to determine your pay, and often an excuse for them to underpay you or give you crappy raises.
Of course this may be and probably is complicated by circumstances and the composition of the company, but from this internet stranger's 10,000 mile view...
You don't say how large or hierarchical this company is, but I'd think more in terms of "Director of Technical Operations" or if you're really thinking in terms of "lead," Technical Operations Lead. I realize if you actually have an assembly line or other technical operations that you don't deal with, you'll want to cut it down to your area of activity, but with the range of software, hardware and machinery, and people, and actual machines, you should have a title that covers it all and which refers to your experience in doing these things.
Think about the bus factor and how it would affect your company and the roles you play. If they would have significant trouble until they found a person or people to take your place, that's where I start thinking "Director."
posted by rhizome at 3:34 PM on October 1, 2021
Of course this may be and probably is complicated by circumstances and the composition of the company, but from this internet stranger's 10,000 mile view...
You don't say how large or hierarchical this company is, but I'd think more in terms of "Director of Technical Operations" or if you're really thinking in terms of "lead," Technical Operations Lead. I realize if you actually have an assembly line or other technical operations that you don't deal with, you'll want to cut it down to your area of activity, but with the range of software, hardware and machinery, and people, and actual machines, you should have a title that covers it all and which refers to your experience in doing these things.
Think about the bus factor and how it would affect your company and the roles you play. If they would have significant trouble until they found a person or people to take your place, that's where I start thinking "Director."
posted by rhizome at 3:34 PM on October 1, 2021
What do the managers manage for the employees that you supervise? This reminds me of places I've worked where management likes to hand out duties but not authority or title.
Sounds like you're having fun, though. I'd second the idea to get the title that sets you up for the next job. And I'd probably hire someone to take over IT duties because "Lead CNC Supervisor / Windows Admin" doesn't sound right to me.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:43 PM on October 1, 2021
Sounds like you're having fun, though. I'd second the idea to get the title that sets you up for the next job. And I'd probably hire someone to take over IT duties because "Lead CNC Supervisor / Windows Admin" doesn't sound right to me.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:43 PM on October 1, 2021
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I do not mean to sound machiavellian or to imply that you are disloyal, but if something happens and you need a greener pasture, it will be easier to find that pasture if your resume has a job title that sounds commensurate with your experience and job expectations across companies. You could be a "Staff CNC Engineer" but if that doesn't mean something to the next person reading your resume, it will make your next job harder to find.
posted by cmm at 2:11 PM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]