[ckelly78z]

I am the (only) prototype engineer for a large automotive parts manufacturer. I have to deal all the time with demanding design engineers, and production capabilities, on short lead times that have really picky clients. You cannot imagine the the amount of trial/error involved in developing suspension components, and the data that needs to be crunched to get the right results from our test lab. Add to this, some Japanese perfectionism, and it makes for numerous renditions of the same parts with minute differences that I am sure, no one in the real world will ever notice, or feel the difference.

I have started coming in early to potentially get out early, to avoid the late afternoon brain storming sessions that can last well into the evening regardless of previous plans. The good news is, that my current boss is my age, and is really a calm, reasoned guy who understands my plight. I am also immune to being in most meetings, and can just quietly (most of the time) work on something by myself in my huge well equipped shop....the interruptions start to mount as the day goes by however.

I am going to enjoy retirement (hopefully in 6-8 years) greatly, with all sorts of "ME" projects in my man cave shop.