Engineers

[Maths Dude]

Anyone know of any gaijin working full-time as an engineer in japan for a JAPANESE company? Not just a simple x-pat, but someone who made into a japanese company. I have probably mentioned this before that I'll be graduating next year and after 3 years working here in OZ (after becoming a pro engineer) I'll be heading back to j-land with my j-wife. My Japanese will be hot enuff by that time probably......just wondering if the odds are stacked against me with working for a j-comany. (dont wanna work as x-pat, dont wanna go back to OZ, its more fucked that japan). I'll be 34 when I get back so, dunno if that will be a prob, coz I'll be a pro anyway.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Careful what you wish for, you may not want to work for a Japanese company. What type of Engineering?

[Maths Dude]

Pollution control engineer, chemical/mechanical mixed into one. Can work on waste water, air pollution control etc.

[cstaylor]

My Japanese will be hot enuff by that time probably......just wondering if the odds are stacked against me with working for a j-comany.

[FG Lurker]

Anyone know of any gaijin working full-time as an engineer in japan for a JAPANESE company? Not just a simple x-pat, but someone who made into a japanese company.

In most cases you will be much happier working for a non-Japanese company. If you can get a true expat package then you will be living in heaven! Housing paid for. Kids' schooling paid for. Car provided. Much larger salary. Air tickets home at least once a year. Lots more holidays than a local hire. More likely to be able to work in a senior position. The list goes on... True expat packages a hard to come by though, especially as a local-hire in Japan. More likely would be something like what I have -- a local hire into the Japanese subsiduary of a non-Japanese company. Wish I had an expat package though!

Why the desire to work for a Japanese company?

[cstaylor]

Why the desire to work for a Japanese company?

masochist probably.

[kurohinge1]

Anyone know of any gaijin working full-time as an engineer in japan for a JAPANESE company? ...

About 5 years ago a friend from Oz scored a job with Mitsubishi in Japan. From memory she is a mechanical engineer, and her Japanese is good. I don't have her contact details but last I heard she was still there. However, FG Lurker's on the right track (above).

Also, try doing some searches here on FG and reading a few earlier and similar posts as there's a wealth of knowledge amongst FG members that's mostly been shared before.

nb: Don't underestimate the level of Japanese you will need to be attractive to most Japanese companies, if you are a masochist.

[Maths Dude]

It is my belief that if I work for a foreign company my contract would eventually finish and have to go home. My intention is not to never work in Oz again, so I thought it would be best just to work in a j-company.

[Taro Toporific]

It is my belief that if I work for a foreign company my contract would eventually finish and have to go home. My intention is not to never work in Oz again, so I thought it would be best just to work in a j-company.

Retention of gaijin employees in the Land-o-Concrete(tm) is nearly impossible. Your only worry should be escaping Japan, hee, hee.

[Maths Dude]

I'm not there Taro, so I guess I did escape ;p. Just trying to get back in!! Looking for a non-teaching - respectable (ie Real) job hehehe

[Captain Japan]

Anyone know of any gaijin working full-time as an engineer in japan for a JAPANESE company?

I am a civil engineer. I work full-time at a Japanese civil engineering company but my civil engineering work is minimal; mostly I handle overseas contract documents in English.

It won't be easy to get a regular job at a Japanese company doing standard engineering work if you are not fluent in Japanese. There's a real good reason for this: except for rare instances, you can't do anything a Japanese person can't. English ability would be your prime selling point.

You can PM me if you want any other info.

[Blah Pete]

I have worked for J-companies for about 11 years. Switched to US compnay in Japan two years ago and don't regret it.
If you don't speak Japanese well you may try to get into a translation dept. The Japanese guys will translate to rough/Japanese English and you would polish it up so overseas customers will understand it.

Look for a company that does a lot of overseas business and you may be able to find a good position being the bridge between the J-technical and foreign customers.

The best deal is to get hired in your country and get the full overseas package. If you get word that the company is going to send you back after x number of years you can start looking for J-companies.
Try and get a cost of living agreement if possible because of the high yen.