Engineering talent is in high demand and increasingly hard to retain. Whether it’s a mining engineer working FIFO shifts or a mechanical engineer in a city-based consultancy, the reasons engineers leave their jobs tend to follow clear, recurring patterns.

Working in Technical Services Recruitment, I’ve spoken to hundreds of engineers across many disciplines. Here’s what I consistently hear and what your company can do to keep great talent engaged.

1. Lack of Career Progression

Often engineers can feel stuck in roles with no clear path forward. They may enjoy the work but don’t see a future beyond “more of the same.” Site based engineers often find that roles plateau at supervisor or superintendent levels with no development toward project or operational leadership. Consultancy engineers report frustration with rigid hierarchies where senior roles are held by long-timers, leaving little room for any upwards movement.

What can your company do?

• Implement transparent promotion pathways and mentoring programs.
• Offer cross-functional or leadership training to help engineers diversify their skill set.
• Communicate openly about internal pathway options.

2. Poor Work-Life Balance

Engineers are problem-solvers but they’re also human. Excessive hours, unrealistic client expectations, or gruelling FIFO rosters can take a toll. Site-based engineers often experience burnout from 12-hour shifts and long rotations, especially when they’re away from family. Consultant engineers have reported facing unrealistic project deadlines and weekend work without additional compensation or recovery time.

What can your company do?

• Reevaluate rosters and rotation lengths to balance productivity with sustainability.
• Encourage flexible working where possible.
• Encourage managers to model healthy behaviour (no 10pm Teams messages).
• Use project planning tools to track time and resources to avoid unmanageable workloads.

3. Lack of Recognition or Impact

Engineers take pride in their work so when feedback is rare or when they feel like “just a number,” motivation quickly declines. Site-based engineers can feel overlooked when their logistical efforts or operational improvements aren’t acknowledged. Office-based engineers often say that design changes or optimisations they champion are dismissed without explanation.

What can your company do?

• Create structured feedback loops that celebrate contributions.
• Involve engineers in decision making early, not just during execution.
• Recognise technical wins, not just financial ones.

4. Toxic or Rigid Work Culture

Culture is a deal-breaker. Even well paid, highly skilled engineers will walk away from environments that feel political, exclusionary, or micromanaged. FIFO or site-based engineers often report feeling isolated or unsupported. Consulting engineers may leave due to poor leadership, poor communication from management, unsustainable workload or office politics.

What can your company do?

• Regularly survey team culture and act on feedback.
• Train team leads in people management and inclusivity.
• Involve engineers in strategic decisions.
• Act on feedback rather than just collecting it.

5. Better Opportunities Elsewhere

Sometimes, engineers leave simply because the market is hot and they can. Whether it’s a higher salary, a better project, or they believe a move will open up better career opportunities in the future— it’s a competitive landscape.

What companies can do?

• Benchmark salaries regularly and adjust proactively.
• Offer meaningful perks beyond money—flexibility, autonomy, or purpose-driven work.
• Maintain an active dialogue about each employee’s goals, not just KPIs.

Engineering Retention Isn’t Just About Pay

Yes, salary matters. But most engineers aren’t just chasing a pay cheque. They want purpose, progress, and respect. Companies that listen, invest in people, and evolve with industry trends are far more likely to hold onto their top technical talent.

At Optimum Consulting, we help organisations find and retain exceptional engineers across site-based and office-based roles. If you’re losing key staff, looking to attract the next generation of engineering talent or are looking to optimise your workplace – get in touch. We have dedicated teams who specialise in recruitment as well as HR consulting and would love to help.

 

Alex Taubert

Recruitment Consultant

After a rewarding career in the property industry, I made a dynamic shift to recruitment, driven by my passion for customer service and my desire to help individuals achieve their career goals. Transitioning into this field has allowed me to leverage my extensive experience in building relationships and delivering exceptional service, all while meeting and connecting with diverse people…