I'm self taught with an engineering background currently working as a QA Engineer in the US. Any advice on finding work in the UK or Ireland? Has anyone done something similar?
OP - Without a work visa or other right to work in the UK already established, you're not gonna have a good time. Tech vacancies are dropping in the UK and QA vacancies are one of the hardest hit. Couple that with the fact that QA salary is one of the lowest in the UK tech sector. If you also have to factor in an employer who is willing to sponsor you, then the odds of you securing something decent are almost non-existent.
Despite the lack of encouragement, I'm thankful for your comment. I won't take any salary, but I'm willing to take a bit of a paycut. Do you have any advice, outside of working a senior position in the US for a few years, for making myself more sponsorable for employers? Certs, niches, ect?
The first step is to understand the UK is more or less a 3rd world country by US standards these days and if you want to find a job you'll need to accept a salary that's likely far below your expectations, and a lifestyle that far, far below your expectations as someone living in the US.
- Cut your salary expectations by half or more.
- Cut your take home pay expectations by 60-70% as the government will take a huge chunk of your income.
- Assume you will struggle to pay rent since 50%+ of your post-tax income will go to rent.
- Assume you'll struggle to heat your home because the UK has the highest energy costs in the world.
- Assume you won't be have access to healthcare unless on your deathbed and you won't be able to afford private because the above.
If you're happy with this lifestyle then you might be able to find a QA engineer job in the UK for £30,000. The job market here is horrendous though. A lot of people I know are looking for other ways to make a living or supplement their income such as by claiming they're disabled.
Assuming you are worried by the language/culture barrier, have you consider Australia or New Zealand?