Lead Mechanical Engineer+28% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
60% of observed moves out of Senior Mechanical Engineer go here (4,200 careers)
leadership branchconfidence high4,200 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · mechanical_engineering
Where does a Senior Mechanical Engineer go next?
16 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.
Management path
Mechanical Engineering Manager+71% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
20% of observed moves out of Senior Mechanical Engineer go here (1,400 careers)
leadership branchconfidence high1,400 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
Senior Civil Engineer+28% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Civil Engineer, PE. 4% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence moderate460 careers96% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
Director of Mechanical Engineering+146% typical comp change · ~6.0y typical
reachable via Lead Mechanical Engineer. 15% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence high1,400 careersno observed onward moves above the evidence floor
Career pivot
Production Supervisor-10% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
7% of observed moves out of Senior Mechanical Engineer go here (480 careers)
pivotconfidence moderate480 careers64% of observed exits move upward from there
Civil Engineer, PE+0% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
7% of observed moves out of Senior Mechanical Engineer go here (460 careers)
pivotconfidence moderate460 careers86% of observed exits move upward from there
Senior Electrical Engineer+5% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
7% of observed moves out of Senior Mechanical Engineer go here (460 careers)
pivotconfidence moderate460 careers80% of observed exits move upward from there