Alternative Careers for Software Engineers

Hands-on manufacturing engineer responsible for daily robot production operations, maintenance, prototype troubleshooting, and serving as liaison between engineering teams and shop floor execution. Focuses on process optimization, KPI implementation, and NPI (new product introduction) rather than software development.

Design, build, and maintain electronics production test systems and infrastructure for manufacturing sophisticated robots. Bridge R&D, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure hardware reliability while scaling production operations.

Managing quality assurance processes for robotic hardware/software products, including non-conformity tracking, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions across manufacturing and operations rather than writing production code.

Design and optimize printed circuit board layouts for complex robotic hardware, managing the physical translation from electrical schematics to manufacturable boards while owning the component library and ECAD tool strategy.

Lead hands-on data collection operations for robot training by wearing teleoperation hardware, executing physical demonstrations, and ensuring quality standards. Work closely with engineering teams to translate their model requests into real-world data capture tasks.

Senior technology leadership role overseeing Workday HR platform strategy, operations, and delivery across a global organization. Day-to-day involves managing IT operations teams, translating HR business requirements into technical solutions, and establishing platform engineering practices and architecture.

Lead planned and reactive maintenance operations for a fulfilment warehouse, managing engineering teams and coordinating with facilities to keep operations running safely and efficiently.

Junior SEO role focused on search engine optimization strategy, including emerging areas like Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI-driven search. Day-to-day work involves analyzing search performance, optimizing content for search visibility, and supporting commercial strategy for major brand clients.

A construction project controls specialist role focused on planning, scheduling, and project oversight using Aphex software. Day-to-day involves coordinating project timelines, managing resources, and providing project controls support across UK construction projects.

Identify and recruit talented C++ engineers for thinkcell's engineering team. Source candidates, conduct initial screening, manage the hiring pipeline, and help build a world-class technical team through relationship-building and talent strategy.

Design and build automated test equipment, jigs, and software solutions for drone manufacturing validation. Collaborate with hardware/software teams to define test concepts, improve yield, and reduce testing time through practical engineering solutions.

Analyze customer experience data and automation metrics to generate insights and recommendations for HelloFresh's CX systems. Work with cross-functional teams to identify patterns, measure automation effectiveness, and inform product and operational decisions.

Manage procurement, supplier relationships, and supply chain logistics for a biotech lab automation company. Day-to-day involves vendor negotiations, inventory planning, lead time management, and ensuring consumables/equipment availability for their automated lab operations.

A Talent Lead role focused on scaling hiring operations from 25 to 50 people at a high-growth biotech startup. Day-to-day involves recruiting, candidate sourcing, interview coordination, and building hiring infrastructure as the company rapidly expands across multiple technical disciplines.

Lead technical strategy and oversight for electrical, instrumentation, and control systems at a climate tech company. Day-to-day involves defining design standards, managing contractor deliverables, collaborating across engineering teams, and driving system reliability improvements.

Lead the end-to-end development and commercialization of physical sorbent modules for direct air capture technology, coordinating between engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to move products from lab prototypes through industrial production and market launch.

Design, develop, and maintain quantitative index models and algorithmic investment strategies for financial clients; serve as the expert interface between complex financial requirements and technical implementation, troubleshooting production systems and optimizing processes.

Build and maintain demand forecasting models for supply chain optimization at a major sports retailer. Work with business stakeholders to translate forecasting needs into data science solutions that directly impact inventory and operations decisions.

Design and build talent development systems, frameworks, and processes for a 700-person organization. Balance strategic system design with hands-on program execution, managing career progression, recognition, and learning initiatives.

Build and maintain client relationships for a research platform by understanding client needs, ensuring product adoption, and serving as the primary point of contact for account management in the EMEA region. This role bridges technical product knowledge with business relationship management.