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A Financial Plan Built for Engineers
Engineers across Michigan, mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and industrial, earn strong salaries early in their careers but rarely receive guidance on what to do with them. Whether you work in automotive, manufacturing, defense, or utilities, the 401(k) is just the starting point. Building real wealth requires a plan that goes beyond the default contribution.
The Financial Challenges Engineers Face
These are not generic financial planning issues. They are specific to your profession, your income structure, and the decisions you are likely facing right now.
Maximizing a 401(k) with company match and profit sharing
Many Michigan employers offer a 401(k) match plus profit sharing, which can add a significant lump sum to your account in strong years. Knowing how to invest profit sharing allocations, when to adjust contribution rates, and how the 401(k) fits into your full financial picture requires more than just picking a target-date fund. We work through both the match strategy and profit sharing deployment with your actual numbers.
Pre-tax vs. Roth 401(k): getting the decision right at an engineering salary
Engineers earning $75,000 to $130,000 sit in a range where the pre-tax vs. Roth 401(k) decision is genuinely close. Pre-tax contributions reduce your current tax bill now; Roth contributions grow tax-free. The right answer depends on your current bracket, expected retirement income, and whether you expect to pay more or less in taxes later. We analyze your specific tax situation before making a recommendation.
Building wealth beyond the 401(k)
Maxing your 401(k) is a good start, but the 2025 limit of $23,500 per year is not a complete wealth-building plan on an engineering salary. After the 401(k), the next steps, Roth IRA, taxable brokerage account, HSA, depend on your income, tax situation, and goals. We evaluate each option and build a clear priority order.
Planning around industry transitions and layoffs
Engineers change companies and industries more often than most professions, and layoffs are a real feature of cyclical industries like automotive and manufacturing. Each job change brings a 401(k) rollover decision: leave it in the old plan, roll it to the new employer, or move it to an IRA. Having a plan for that decision before you are in the middle of a job transition avoids costly mistakes.
A financial advisor who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm specifically for young professionals to give them clarity and direction with their finances.
Meet ChrisWhat a Financial Plan for Engineers Covers
Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm built for young professionals. No asset minimums. No commissions. A real plan built around your actual situation.
What clients say about working with Chris
"I'm so glad I started working with Chris early on in my career. He worked with me to create a plan that's unique to my financial goals and helped me get started with investing and planning for retirement."
"Chris has always been on top of his work and has helped me better my financial future. He truly cares about his clients and is continually trying to improve. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for financial growth and guidance."
"Working with Villaire Financial has been great. I wouldn't have started investing my money if it wasn't for Chris, and I'm glad I did. Chris is easy to communicate with and really understands how to help Gen Z put their money in the right places."
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided. Individual experiences and results will vary.
Common Questions from Engineers
How should I invest my 401(k) as an engineer?
Start by avoiding the most common mistake: defaulting to the target-date fund without checking its expense ratio or underlying allocation. A simple three-fund portfolio using low-cost index funds (total U.S. market, international, and bonds) typically outperforms most target-date options once you account for fees. Expense ratios above 0.20% are worth questioning. We review your specific plan lineup and build an investment strategy within it.
Should I use Roth or pre-tax 401(k) contributions?
At $75,000 to $100,000 in income, the answer often favors pre-tax contributions, especially if you are in the 22% or 24% federal bracket. At higher incomes approaching $130,000 and above, the analysis becomes more nuanced. If you expect to have significant retirement income from multiple sources, paying taxes now via Roth may be worth it. We compare your bracket today against your projected bracket at retirement.
What happens to my 401(k) when I change jobs?
You have three options: leave it in your former employer's plan, roll it into your new employer's 401(k), or roll it into an IRA. Leaving it is simplest but not always best if the old plan has high fees. Rolling to an IRA gives you the most investment flexibility and typically the lowest costs. Rolling to a new employer plan keeps everything consolidated. The right move depends on your specific plan fees and investment options.
Do I need a financial advisor if I already max my 401(k)?
Maxing your 401(k) is not a financial plan. It is one piece of one. A complete plan covers what to do after the 401(k) is maxed, how to manage taxes on a strong W2 income, what happens to that money if you change jobs, whether you are on track for the retirement you actually want, and how all your accounts work together. Engineers who max their 401(k) and stop there often have six-figure gaps in their long-term plan.
Is there a minimum to work with Villaire Financial?
No. There are no asset minimums. The one-time onboarding fee is $250, which covers your full financial plan. Ongoing planning is $75 per month. An engineer two years into their career with $30,000 in a 401(k) and no other plan is exactly the right time to start.
Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call
No sales pitch, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about your financial situation and what working together would look like. The call is free and there is no pressure to move forward.
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