Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

I would expect skilled technologists to still be in demand. Perhaps there will be a decline in new full-time hires, but that would likely be offset by increased demand for contract positions. I don't, personally, anticipate significant removal of existing full time positions. If you're more comfortable with an employment arrangement, it might be worth locking one in soon.

Overall, though, the American economy is continuing to improve. Greater world events are rattling the markets, and tech has taken a hit, but it doesn't seem out of the ordinary.

Always look for a better job, always try to learn new things in your current job, never stop re-inventing yourself.

If you are not learning anything in your current job then you are wasting time. Figure out something to learn, it will make your job more interesting (and more fun) and it will help you in the future with knowledge.

Engineering jobs are always plentiful and scarce at the same time, they are plentiful for the people who know and/or have experience in the new hotness, they are scarce for people who have skills for things that people are not using in abundance.

I may offer an opinion different from other responses you receive...

If you're not unhappy where you are--adequate salary, good living conditions--then take things slowly...

Land the next job before leaving your current one, and only if it represents a step up in responsibility and seems interesting, or otherwise improves your "life"...

Look at the headlines on the worldwide economic situation just now...yes, things are a bit uncertain...do your homework before making a jump...

And don't undervalue having a job when things are uncertain...just think about the alternative...

There are jobs where everything is perfect except pay... This is when it's hard to risk and take a higher paid job.