Have had an interesting development in my career. I've been trying to quit. But...I enjoy engineering. And, I like making money. A year ago I was picked up by a very large firm to focus on a kind of engineering I love, something I've specialized in for many years. Several months in, after enduring the chaos of taking on a bunch of screwed up work that needed to be fixed, it hit me. There's a massive shortage of capable engineers. Those who should be in their prime don't exist. It's me, two or three guys at my level in the western US, and a bunch of greenhorns. And, we're burning out the greenhorns. There's a ton of work to be done...to be paid for. Spoke to my boss today and he, and others, are pushing me up in the organization. He's a great guy but is trying to obtain my level of credentials. I'm helping him with that. I've grown much more humble in my old age and even told him today, "I have no pride". He laughed. But, this massive shortage of knowledgeable engineers has created a void and I'm getting sucked into position to try to fill it. On the good side we agreed today that things are going to have to come off my plate to make time for the bigger things, things like high-level meetings with high-level clients, etc. Have never been in a position to completely call my shots, never really even strived for that. Just always wanted to geek out. Now, it feels like they're handing me the keys to the train. I'm going to have to set my Gulch departure date...the date when I disappear. Otherwise they might find me dead at my desk. I feel very fortunate - a good problem to have, I guess.

Anybody else experience this kind of thing? Delaying your complete retirement long enough to get recognized for your value?