DMC's Road Warrior role allows controls engineers to travel to client sites and work directly with their automation hardware and software. My blog, Life on the Road: Who are DMC's Road Warriors and What Do We Do?, explains what DMC's Road Warrior role is and details my experience during my first 6-months working as a traveling controls engineer. I now have almost two years of experience in the role, and I wanted to follow up with a “long-term product review.”
In addition to sharing some of the incredible opportunities and experiences I’ve had on the road, I want to provide a candid look at some of the tougher times and share how future Road Warriors can learn from my past endeavors.
The Review
I have broken my review into three main categories:
Project Work
Benefits and Perks
Lifestyle
I will give each category a rating out of five stars and then provide my overall verdict.
Project Work ★★★★★
While onsite, Road Warriors generally do one of a few things: fix existing automation, add onto existing code, test automation, or write code for new automation. In all scenarios, I find that being near hardware makes controls engineering more fulfilling and interesting. Something I enjoy about developing onsite is that code can be tested on equipment shortly after downloading. This short feedback loop helps you write effective code quickly with assurance that it functions as specified.
As an example, I recently commissioned and wrote the code for a batch making system where heating and temperature control were critical. I rapidly iterated and optimized the heating control logic because I could run mock-heating trials on the tank hardware as often as I wanted. I have found that in the highly automated facilities that I have worked in, there are no shortage of controls issues and improvements to be made.
As an onsite controls engineer, you are challenged each day to learn quickly and apply skills to resolve pressing issues. Often, control issues may be holding up production or resulting in scrapped product, and you must rely on your problem-solving skillset to deliver. I appreciate this challenge.
Another reason I love onsite controls engineering is because you get to be right in the action. You can see systems operate, look into and measure equipment in panels, and speak with those who operate, manage, and maintain equipment. Such immersion in automation allows the onsite engineer to really get a sense of what automation is all about and develop in the right ways to become a better controls engineer. The day-to-day as an onsite controls engineer so much fun, and there is never a lack of exciting problems to be solved.
While onsite, I have had the opportunity to collaborate and network with some extremely intelligent engineers and software developers, both within and external to DMC. Through these connections, I have sharpened my skillset as an automation engineer and grown my appreciation for the industry.
Road Warrior projects are generally larger scale and longer-term than the average project. Such projects allow an engineer to deep dive into the systems and integration at hand. A thorough understanding of automation and a rewarding problem-solving experience is the result.
Benefits and Perks ★★★★★
Not only is onsite project work rewarding and exciting, but the perks and benefits are too. I touched on some of these in my first blog, but I want to emphasize additional income, time off, and travel rewards available to Road Warriors.
Engineers signed up as Road Warriors get a monthly bonus. On top of that, you get per diem and site bonus while onsite which amounts to thousands of dollars of income each month. Further, DMC’s Road Warriors are also eligible for Extra Effort Bonuses, which are evaluated monthly and are intended to cover situations where engineers are working longer weeks or shifted schedules due to customer needs.
I have been thankful for the time off that I have accumulated as a Road Warrior. Travelers at DMC accrue vacation 50% faster than non-travelers. Along with the increased accumulation rate, Road Warriors are eligible for an exemption on the vacation time roll over limit, so if you get staffed on a demanding onsite project, you can save it for the next year.
Road Warriors also maintain eligibility for DMC’s project recouperation policy. DMC allows you to take a full day off without using PTO, no questions asked, if you are onsite for long enough or are subject to challenging schedules. I have used recoup days in the past to build long weekends into my life allowing me to return home, enjoy the city I am traveling to, or go see friends and family.
One perk available to all DMCers is that you get to book their own travel. On a surface level, this may sound like a lot of work but let me assure you that it is highly beneficial for a few reasons.
First, you get to pay with your own credit card and leverage credit card perks. Traveling is expensive, so you will be spending a lot of money and then getting refunded by DMC at the end of each month. Although other DMCers are more strategic with their credit card rewards strategy, I like the simplicity of a 2% cashback credit card. I end up banking good money from my credit due to the high volume of travel expenses.
Booking your own travel allows you to build rewards with different companies which makes booking future vacations more cost effective. I choose to stay at Marriott hotels, and I have earned Ambassador Elite status, so when I check into hotels I often get free snacks or points. I’m a big snacker, so naturally I go for snacks almost always.
Welcome gifts from check in at a Marriott Hotel.
Also, on a recent Marriott stay that I booked with points on a vacation in Hawaii, I got a free bottle of champagne and local Hawaiian chocolates because of my status. Not bad!
Lifestyle ★★★☆☆
The Road Warrior lifestyle is like black coffee—it is an exciting alternative lifestyle with improved benefits and hands on project work, but it comes with certain challenges that may not be palatable for everyone.
One aspect of the Road Warrior lifestyle that is undeniably delightful is trying different restaurants for free. When onsite, DMCers get per diem (in accordance with GSA M&EI rates) which is enough to cover excellent meals. I usually eat out for most meals other than breakfast, and this has allowed me to experience some incredible dishes from restaurants around the country at no cost to me. I've shared a few highlights below:
Wonderful meals while on the road that we paid for with per diem
When onsite with other DMCers, team dinners are a great way to get to know colleagues better and build comradery. A highlight of my last project was linking up with other onsite DMCers at a local brewery for taco Tuesday every week.
Business travel is another aspect of the role I enjoy. DMC uses the IRS standard mileage rates for reimbursing mileage which is lucrative for long drives to site, especially if your car is fuel efficient. I live in Carmel, IN, and I was recently staffed on a long onsite project in Iowa City, IA, a 5.5-hour drive. I listened to a ton of audio books and podcasts during this drive which was great.
Road Warriors generally have a say on where they lodge. I have worked with some Road Warriors who enjoy cooking and preferred to stay in Airbnbs, but I generally tend towards hotels to rack up points and have free breakfast and housekeeping. I do, however, have a love-hate relationship with long-term hotels. It is so wonderful coming home from a long day onsite and having your entire room spotless and your bed, with fresh sheets, neatly folded by housekeeping. Also, many of the hotel breakfasts that hotels are wonderful, and it is great to wake up and not have to worry about preparing your own food.
There are aspects of hotels that I like less. If you stay in enough hotel rooms, you may have a run in with bed bugs like me. It's not the most fun situation (see the Tips for the Road section below). Constantly checking into and out of hotels can also be a bit of a burden. I feel like I am constantly packing and repacking my belongings and shuffling my things around. I do concede that I could simplify my life by not lugging a bike around with me.
Another challenge of living a nomadic lifestyle is developing a consistent friend group. I try to bring my bike with me when I travel so I can join a cycling group and meet people. Being a Road Warrior has given me the opportunity to develop connections with other incredible engineers and different types of people across the country. I will cherish these connections, and if I will know people already if I return to that city.
Stopping for a refreshment and some fireside chat after a group ride.
However, just as I feel like I have gotten to know folks, I have to shoot off to another project which is always bittersweet. I have the opportunity to experience new people and places, but I have to say goodbye to others. I also do my best to stay in contact with friends near my home base in Indianapolis.
Work-life balance, although tricky to maintain while traveling, can be achieved. It is important to stay dialed in while onsite, meeting customer needs, and staying safe. Often, customers will have demanding shift requirements (including night shift), so it is important to find balance and avoid burnout. Recoup days are helpful for this. In the past I have used recoup days to return home, enjoy the city I am traveling to, or visit family and friends.
On many projects, if the cost to travel to a nearby area is less than that to return home, the customer may cover the costs for you to visit that area. Not only does this option save the customer money, but it reduces travel-related fatigue. I am an avid fly fisherman, and it was much cheaper and easier for me to head up to the Driftless area in Wisconsin while working in Iowa than bill time and mileage back to Indianapolis, so I did this trip several times.
Highlights from a weekend fly fishing in the Driftless area
As a Road Warrior, you are able to take vacation as long as you communicate this information with your managers and customer well in advance. As with any job, it is important to unwind and take time off. This past year, I took advantage of three DMC YOEs (company-sponsored weekend events), and I often was able to expense flights to these destinations since travel to them was less expensive than returning home.
Colchuck Lake hike at the SeaYOEttle
This past year, my brother was getting married in Montana. I traveled to the wedding, and I was able to take the week before the wedding off to explore Montana. It was an incredible experience and a great way to unwind from some tough onsite work. Accumulated miles and rental car points made this vacation very cost effective.
Mountain goats seen during a vacation taken to Montana during a long onsite
The time in between projects can be very relaxing allowing you to reset and get settled in your life. When I am offsite, I often ramp up for my next project, learn new skills, work on internal initiatives, and write blogs (both technical and non-technical).
I would like to touch briefly on is dating and relationships as a Road Warrior. I have a long-term girlfriend in Indianapolis who I am thankful to have supporting me along my travels. I like to think of dating while traveling as “long-distance plus.” Although you do spend most workdays apart from your significant other, travel perks make getting to your person easier and more cost effective given travel perks and the ability to expense flights. Although it varies by circumstances and project, some customers will allow you to return home every weekend that you would like to. Something that has been a great experience for my girlfriend and me is having her visit while I have been onsite. A few recent highlights are below.
Fun activities while my significant other visited me in Iowa. Left: watching Caitlin Clark play in a University of Iowa basketball game. Right: sampling cider and snacking at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm.
Tips for the Road
After almost two years, I wanted to share some tips I picked along the way to mitigate risk and have a more enjoyable experience on the road:
- Go onsite. With remote access to a PLC and HMIs being readily available, even while onsite, it is tempting to stay at your cozy desk. I encourage any onsite controls engineer to go into the field or factory and be in proximity with the automation you are working on. Not only is this safer when downloading, but you will be able to identify and solve problems more easily by just seeing the equipment operate. Also, you will be able to speak with operators and managers who often have vast expertise with equipment and the industry you are serving.
- Save time with digital hotel keys. Most hotels offer a “digital key” option which allows you to check in on the app and use your phone as they key to enter your room. No need to stop by the front desk.
- Use your sick days. If you are traveling and working hard, chances are you will get sick. Don’t be afraid to use your sick days. After all, a customer does not want you to spread a sickness throughout their company.
- Be ready for anything. When you show up to a new city, you may likely not know anyone in that city. This means that you need to be prepared to handle any situation by yourself. If you drive a lot for your projects, then I recommend AAA Gold to have you covered with car-related break downs/issues. Make sure you have a portable battery for your phone. You never want to be in an unfamiliar area with a dead phone and laptop.
- Be rental car aware. Rental car companies will try to get you to upgrade your car at the check in desk. Don’t fall for their sales tactics! Always take a video of your rental car, inside and out, before leaving the lot.
- Check your hotel for bed bugs - This article has information on how to check for bed bugs in your hotel room and mitigate your risk of getting them. This article has more information on how to get rid of them.
- Be careful of injury. Maybe don’t hit that deadlift PR while you are traveling or avoid the double backs on the weekend during your Colorado onsite. If you can’t walk, you likely won’t be much help onsite, let alone make it onsite.
- Hike safely. If you are going to go for a hike in a new area, tell at least one other person exactly where you are going and how long you expect it to take, and don’t change your plans. Ever seen 127 Hours?
- Be aware of your surroundings. Learn what parts of a city to avoid.
- Find a hobby. Find one thing that you love to do while you are on the road that isn’t work. I keep my sanity by lifting weights, riding my bike, and catching hot yoga classes. Others play video games, run, climb, cook, etc.
|
|
|
Enjoyed some post-work recreation. Left: group gravel ride with another Road Warrior. Right: riding into the sunset.
- Avoid car repair. Do not service your car while on the road unless it is necessary to keep it running safely. Mechanics are people and accidents can happen. You do not want to deal with car repairs when you are on the road if your mechanic made a mistake.
- Don’t skimp on insurance. This can cover you in rental cars and if you are driving your personal vehicle to a project site.
- Stay calm. You 100% will run into issues if you travel long enough. Thanks, Murphy. Be mentally prepared for this and stay calm when things go wrong and be creative.
- Ask questions. No question is a bad one when you are learning from someone more experienced.
- Stay healthy. Eat healthy, sleep well, and stay active. Staying healthy will make every part of your onsite more enjoyable, and your brain will work better! I do my best to either utilize hotel gyms while onsite or join a gym.
Lifting some weights at a gym I joined while onsite.
- Prioritize safety. Safety incidents do occur in industrial automation, and by being onsite more often, you put yourself at a higher risk of being involved in one. If you are ever doing something that feels unsafe, stop immediately and talk to your project manager. Nothing matters more than staying safe while onsite.
Overall: ★★★★☆
The lifestyle of a Road Warrior is intense and often demanding, but the project work and experience makes it all worth it. The increased income and benefits are not given, but rather they are earned by providing consistent onsite support, meeting customer needs, and dealing with traveling challenges. Although I have found myself in some challenging situations, I do not regret being a Road Warrior, and I encourage anyone to take the plunge and give it a go.
Learn more about DMC’s company culture and check out our open positions!