Many electrical engineers who have accepted jobs in manufacturing firms where their processes are automated, have always had the advantages of applying their engineering knowledge and learning new skills. In automated processes, you acquire more knowledge about programmable logic controls (PLC) and different instrumentation designs and process control, as well as interlocking groups of machines for smooth operations. In trouble shooting, available to you will be such information as the Process & Instrumentation (P & I) diagram and other trouble-shooting tools. It is difficult to find Instrumentation specialists. I have worked as a process engineer alongside maintenance crew and found instrumentation to be interesting.
Another option is working in a service firm that renders services to diverse industries. Experience in such a service firm can be pivotal to project engineering and design, and starting your own consulting outfit. Other areas are power distribution and control, and electrical circuit designs. However, investigate these areas extensively before making a choice. If you have more questions or details, I will be glad to give answers where necessary.
