The Perfect Job

What is the perfect Job?

...Besides the unobtainable occupation where I'm paid gobs of money to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it....

So what do I think the criteria are for a perfect job:

1. It should cater to ones strengths but still offer a challenge to ones weaknesses.
2. It should be enjoyable. Happiness is key to everything in life. Mini-dramas are not required.
   
3. It should be dynamic. Constantly repeating the same tasks is just work.
4. It should be agreeable with your one's body to walk through the door.
5. It should have an employer who view's their employees as assets.
   

I am a Mechanical Engineer. I find sitting down and analyzing a structure the most god awful task on the planet. As a matter of fact, just about everything that was taught in college I find to be useless. I do not like deriving formulas or solving complicated math expressions. It is very rare for me to sing praise for engineering. In general I have had some crappy experiences in this field.

So, how does my present job compare to the ideals above?:

1. I am a hands on type of person. If it is broken I will fix it. (DaGirl thinks I am some kind of god.) If 10 pounds of stuff need to fit into a 5 pound bag, I will get it in there. I have been using 3d software for 10 years now and it has become an extension of my brain. I think in 3d. Diplomacy was a weakness but now I need to be diplomatic when receiving and presenting ideas.
   
2. Bringing a bizarre concept to life from a crazy PhD is satisfying. I start with some hair-brained scheme and turn it into a tangible product that the PhD's are amazed by. I don't have to deal with dramas set up by people who are looking to hide something from others. I am a department of one and operate mostly autonomously accomplishing my tasks in a timely manner.
   
3. Throughout a project I will conceive a plan, model it in CAD, check it in CAD, send out drawings for manufacturing, handle any manufacturing issues, receive the parts, test fit parts, modify parts as required (me and the mill), send parts off for finishing (plating, painting, etc.), receive parts from finishing, reassemble machined parts, pass the assembly over to an electrical technician for wiring and cabling, handle any of the technicians issues and once the system is operating and ready to ship I'll box it up and load it onto the truck. That is a dynamic position.
   
4. In the past, I have sleep-walked (or driven) to jobs and then been filled with dread as I opened the door, surprised that I was there already and loathing what lies ahead. In the last 4 1/2 years I've been here I have never had that sensation walking in the door. Sure there have been times when I'd rather be elsewhere but it's never been the job itself that has gotten me down or made me feel physically ill.
5. My employers can be flakes. They are PhD's who get wrapped up in their theories and coding. They have the vision but lack the contrast to see the true final picture. They rely on their employees to create all of the fine details they can not foresee and then covert them into a finished product. They may not always seem appreciative but they know why the product is going out the door and are generous with their compensation as a result. They want me to be happy and be stress free. They are more than willing to hire another ME of my choosing.
   

In the past I have been at places where my employers have:
...barely even noticed me.
...not allowed me to go beyond my department.
...required me to get permission to make a change to a drawing that I goofed up and no parts have been made yet.
...not allowed me to complete a task, always interrupting one job for another "more critical" one.
...generated stress and wanted it that way.

This job isn't always sunshine and roses but I guess I have found the perfect job...
for me...

g