Masters in Mech (vibrations to be specific). I work at one of the big 3&#x27;s in Michigan (automobile). 
I have about 2.5 yrs of work experience (after masters). I earn somewhere between 80 and 85k per year. 
I have deep interest in computer aided applications in mechanical engg. Generally speaking, I am the first person (in my team) to come up with a VB script or MATLAB equivalent to solve signal processing problems. I pursued research based masters, hence most of it was funded.
I want to further advance my career by pursuing more research (which I don&#x27;t get to do at work)
I am considering PhD, but I am not willing to go on full time PhD (because I am on H1B, and don&#x27;t want to give away my hard-earned[read as lottery] VISA and pay). I am afraid, a part time PhD will take too long, and I am unsure about the direction in which it will lead me. I lack conventional computer science education, and do not want to jump the ship by simply becoming a programmer (and hence sacrificing the masters deg or vibrations expertise)<p>I am thrilled about multiple developments in tech, intel realsense, project tango, virtual reality, self driving cars and wide arrays of technologies.
I feel an urge to develop something (just like i did during my masters research), while making sure it fulfills my desire, I also want it to help advance my career. 
(i am a nerd who wants to monetize on his tinkering projects, while staying away from entrepreneurship thing, because i like getting paid, and&#x2F;or need to be paid for maintaining my VISA status)
I am 26 and single, I am fairly occupied with work, hence I just have weekends and couple of hours everyday to pursue my new adventure.<p>What should I do? Please share your thoughts.
Ask HN: What are my options after master's degree?