r/mesaaz • u/No_Theory3194 • 3d ago

Best side gigs for an engineer in the Mesa/Tempe area?

I have a good full-time job (7 AM–4 PM) as an Analytical Engineer, but I’d like to make better use of my evenings and weekends.

I have an engineering background, experience in data analytic and currently live in the Mesa/Tempe area. I’m looking for part-time work or a side gig that can realistically be done after work hours or on weekends.

For those who have engineering or analytical backgrounds, what side hustles or part-time jobs have worked well for you? Any local opportunities or remote options you’d recommend?

Thanks

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u/Jiggz056 2d ago

3D print stuff and sell it on Etsy. Use your experience to find niche items to print and sell. It’s not overnight riches, but if you stay consistent it will add up over time. Easy to do in the evenings/let it run overnight, etc. Unless your product goes viral, you should have flexibility with time early on so you can balance work and life and this new hobby. Good luck!

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u/Wong_Kangaroo 2d ago

Go deliver packages for Amazon or Walmart. Be an Uber or Lyft driver. idk, do some tutoring online.

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u/tiny_wongtong 2d ago

People always say this go do Amazon or Walmart most as an insult but some do mean it thinking its easy to get in, I've applied to Walmart and Amazon not that easy anymore and also so many people apply a day and with ai being used and rejecting most people because you're missing one thing, or you're not fully qualified even tho you have experience It will reject you, Amazon not sure they message and tell me someone will contact me but never do.

I am not angry or trying take it out on you more me venting for me and many other people struggling find a job rather they have hs diploma, or graduated college, or have years of experience the job market is terrible right now there's companies that post jobs on their sites or job sites just to post and make it look like they are hiring to only delete it and repost it, or they leave it up and forget about it, there's many other reasons and yes there's thousands even millions of people applying to some of the same jobs. Me personally I've applied to about 500 jobs and only gotten 3-4 interviews and most the times these companies aren't ready or they don't communicate, they don't get your resume they say, you ask in person to only be told apply online, you call so maby times about a position they get upset, or they are straight up rude wheb you go for an interview and just gotta deal with it because you need a job, I used to be able to apply and get so maby interview now it's feels impossible and i know I'm not the only person struggling.

So when people say apply Walmart or go do this or try harder or that we're lazy no we put so much effort into looking for jobs sometimes it feels hopeless it feel like we are unwanted and unappreciated and over looked by companies and looked down on by people who do have a job and judged for what.

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u/No_Theory3194 2d ago

You have a a point, I applied a year ago and didn’t hear back as well

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u/tiny_wongtong 2d ago

Been there I've applied so many jobs from dealerships, warehouse, office jobs, assembly, mechanical, anything I could that worked with what I wanted and as I said gotten 3 interviews two were unprepared and one was nice on the phone but in person was a rude, I thought the interview went well till last guy who interviewed me who was awkward and weird in my opinion but I still tried to be rejected, or also to apply to the same job multiple times because the company keeps deleting it.

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u/kyrosnick 2d ago

Wife and I both have side gigs. She thrifts and runs an ebay store reselling. I'm an engineer that does personal training/group fitness at a gym in the evenings/weekends. I can't think of any "side hustle" that is related to being an engineer unless you have some specific skill that you could contract work with, that doesn't interfere or go against a non-compete at your day job, which will be rare. I can't get another job in my day job industry as it is a conflict of interest, but my job doesn't care that I work at a gym in the evenings.