Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#1

Post by dandrew5 » Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 7:21 PM UTC

I currently reside in the US and am looking to move to Europe (most likely Germany) some time in the next three years. Has anybody made this journey and have some insights to share?

I'm particularly wondering if there are any technical skills I should hone to give me leverage in the job market when the time comes. Or opposite, any "bad habits" I may have picked up from US companies that simply don't exist in European engineering culture or decision making. Are the interview processes similar to the US?

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#2

Post by toomuchtodo » Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 7:29 PM UTC

https://reddit.com/r/AmerExit/ will be helpful for your inquiry.

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#3

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 8:38 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#4

Post by SambaSambaSamba » Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 10:28 PM UTC

Skills will more or less be the same. Communication skills may be slightly more important depending on people's understanding of whatever language is used.

The biggest issue will be cultural. Don't be a workaholic. Don't live to work. Don't bring that culture here. It is fine if you like to work, but don't project that as expectations on others.

Source: I'm US person who moved to Europe. I've worked for US companies as well as global and European companies.

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#5

Post by ferguess_k » Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:22 AM UTC

Judging by past experience, culture gap is more of a problem.

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#6

Post by dandrew5 » Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:41 AM UTC

ferguess_k wrote: post #5

Judging by past experience, culture gap is more of a problem.

Could you expand a little? Are you referring to the workaholism some Americans have? Personally, I've always sought out companies that value a healthy work/life balance and am relieved to hear Europeans companies value it so highly.

Aside from being too enthusiastic about work, what other gaps in engineering/work culture exist?

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#7

Post by bobnarizes » Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 4:41 AM UTC

Living and working in Germany for the last 13 years. Critical thinking. Be always honest even if your coworkers don’t like the output, they value a lot when someone standout and say why things aren’t working. Being punctual is the default.

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#8

Post by mettamage » Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:00 AM UTC

SambaSambaSamba wrote: post #4

Skills will more or less be the same. Communication skills may be slightly more important depending on people's understanding of whatever language is used. The biggest issue will be cultural. Don't be a workaholic. Don't live to work. Don't bring that culture here. It is fine if you like to work, but don't project that as expectations on others. Source: I'm US person who moved to Europe. I've worked for US companies…

Any tips for this European here that will be working in the US in a year or so from now?

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#9

Post by deafpolygon » Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:02 AM UTC

mettamage wrote: post #8

SambaSambaSamba wrote: post #4

Skills will more or less be the same. Communication skills may be slightly more important depending on people's understanding of whatever language is used. The biggest issue will be cultural. Don't be a workaholic. Don't live to work. Don't bring that culture here. It is fine if you like to work, but don't project that as expectations on others. Source: I'm US person who moved to Europe. I've worked for US companies…

Any tips for this European here that will be working in the US in a year or so from now?

Be prepared to work your ass off; live the mentality that you must work and be available as much as possible. It's going to get worse in the next few years as Trump starts gutting more and more worker protections.

Re: Ask HN: Do US engineering skills translate well to European companies?

#10

Post by mettamage » Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:26 AM UTC

deafpolygon wrote: post #9

mettamage wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any tips for this European here that will be working in the US in a year or so from now?

Be prepared to work your ass off; live the mentality that you must work and be available as much as possible. It's going to get worse in the next few years as Trump starts gutting more and more worker protections.

What are normal hours in that sense, 60? That sounds more like: working my ass off. I'm currently working 40.

Will compensation be geared towards it? Or am I expecting to make like $70000 while working 60 hours per week?