Electronic/mechatronic consultant fees - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 10:43:45 pm
content: Hi,I assume this question has been asked previously but a search for "fees", "rates" and similar terms do not return anything.How much does an electronic/mechatronic engineer consultant with 20 years experience charge per hour or day in the UK?Thank you

author: Mecanix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 09:11:50 pm
content: Normally per account/project based. Never came across a MCD/E who charge hourly, unless of course the project is expired contractual-wise and extra services or maintenance is required. Cost greatly depends on the sector involved. Lastly I am aware of MCDs offering freelance services on several platforms (fiverr.com for instance), however I doubt you'll want anyone without credentials nor working remotely from the hardware.

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 10:22:10 pm
content: Thank you Mechanix,yes I have been always charging for whole project but I think that because I have been keeping my rates the same for so long I have been charging a lot less than I could have for a long time.Without going into any project specifics or confidential information, could you give some idea of a couple of average project types, duration and how much you charged? Just so I can get a better idea of the market/figures in recent years.Thank you

author: Mecanix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 06:05:39 am
content: Hi RickoUnfortunately I am not specialized but used to service the MCD team from the mechanical engineer department rather. Therefore it's near impossible for me to give you any heads up RE associated consultancy cost. Most of the work experience was gained from internal processes and from a previous employment (focus on automation/machine-tools).I've since moved to being self-employed and part of a 7 employee small company. We do have several related products however all of that plc, hmi and automation commissioning is built-in the end-customer price. So again, I'm not the best person to ask (sorry if I gave you the impression I was).As a suggestion; perhaps worth seeking a project/scenario pitch from those several freelance platforms in both domestic and overseas markets and gauge whether your cost fits in and competitive. Additionally, there is no harm in getting in touch with companies that offers similar services and ask for the advice directly. I'm convinced they will be able to share that info with you.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 08:21:56 am
content: I can't speak to mechatronics or the UK market, but a typical rate in the US is: take the hourly equivalent of a typical employee of the same description, double it to figure a contractor rate (this covers benefits (which US is notoriously stingy on otherwise -- YMMV) and taxes), and add whatever on top of that to account for down-time between jobs, wearing multiple hats (e.g. project management AND EE design AND PCB layout AND mechanical AND..), or short notice, etc. You can quite reasonably justify tripling or quadrupling that rate. (Or the more business-y answer: whatever you and the client agree to. But you've got to start somewhere)Also, my understanding of commercial contract houses is they're somewhere in the $100-200/hr range. But you might not be able to compete directly with them (for a variety of reasons: available person-hours, capital, marketing team, etc.), make of that what you will.That covers fixed rate jobs; for fixed budget projects, add up all the hours you expect to need, about double it, multiply by rate and go with that. (Actually it's more than double: the expected ratio is something like e (~2.72), because time spent goes up exponentially with unexpected complexity.) You might negotiate down from that, or you might spend more time up front, planning and researching the project, to get those error bars lower; YMMV.Tim

author: Conrad Hoffman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 11:09:22 am
content: I think Tim nailed it but here's another way. Find out what a good lawyer costs and divide by two. Here that puts you at about $150/hr, which is about right for technical consulting.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 11:19:43 am
content: I wonder how much difference there is between the US and UK? In the UK everyone is covered by the National Health Service and few companies pay for private medical insurance, whilst in the US, it's the reverse, so you'd expect less of a difference between freelance and salary. On the other hand, employment law in the UK mandates other employee benifits and firing more difficult, which would counteract the health cover.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 02:16:33 pm
content: I've no idea about the UK rates , nor "mechatronics" but, in the USA the EE rates can vary with the location of the consultant (taxes, regulations, insurance) as well as their experience, etc.Notice that a Professional Engineer can sign off legally on projects and has great liability so the PE commands a higher rate.Mose EEs are NOT PEs but there are SOME EEs whould hold the PE as well.The "one half lawyer" is in question as rates for GOOD US lawyers are $400-600/hr nowadays.When I was consulting (1990s..2000s) I recall rates ~ 250-450/hr.Re lawyers vs Engineers.....AN ENGINEER CREATES PRODUCTS AND SOLVES PROBLEMS.... LAWYERS DESTROY PRODUCTS AND CREATE NOTHING!We should be worth MORE not 1/2 the lawyer rate (:-:)Jon

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 03:20:02 pm
content: Agree with Jon, quality engineering time should be on par with legal charges. When we did expert witness consulting work on infringement cases we charged same rates as attorneys involved, including travel time and expenses.If Integrated Circuit consulting work is involved then the rates are well above "average" electrical engineering consulting rates, the "average" IC designer with moderate experience makes 130~140K base salary, senior designers much more. This is justified because IC design work is much more involved than traditional design efforts, and the risk of a design mistake, miscalculation, or unaccounted parasitic can easily trash a IC design and cost $Millons for a redesign and involve many months of delay. If you think this is "hearsay", check out the design cost for modern chips where you'll find simple old CMOS 28nm chip designs costing a few Million, and SOTA designs north of $500M!! Silicon is quite expensive real estate, but the chips are so small that these costs can be justified if massive quantities are involved.Best,

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 04:44:36 pm
content: Thank you all, very useful and appreciated feedback/info!!