New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
(OP)
Greetings all,
I finished my BSEE from a competitive research school in California and I've been working in the aerospace industry for a bit over a year now. Long story short, I'd like to learn what roles and responsibilities other engineers have, and compare them to mine. My day-to-day tasks involve reviewing/approving vendor documentation to qualify parts, interface with vendors to resovle any issues w/ parts, update spec control drawings and a whole myriad of internal one-off jobs. I spend much of my time babysitting old design and outside vendors, but never on new and exciting projects. I spend 90% of the day proof-reading documents, editing reports/documents and on teleconferences.
Should I look for another job or are most engineering jobs like this? I just don't know what is and what isn't reasonable to expect from an engineering profession. Personally, I would like to use more of what I've learned in school and have an active role in design. I prefer 'technical' and not 'clerical'.
Any input would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!
I finished my BSEE from a competitive research school in California and I've been working in the aerospace industry for a bit over a year now. Long story short, I'd like to learn what roles and responsibilities other engineers have, and compare them to mine. My day-to-day tasks involve reviewing/approving vendor documentation to qualify parts, interface with vendors to resovle any issues w/ parts, update spec control drawings and a whole myriad of internal one-off jobs. I spend much of my time babysitting old design and outside vendors, but never on new and exciting projects. I spend 90% of the day proof-reading documents, editing reports/documents and on teleconferences.
Should I look for another job or are most engineering jobs like this? I just don't know what is and what isn't reasonable to expect from an engineering profession. Personally, I would like to use more of what I've learned in school and have an active role in design. I prefer 'technical' and not 'clerical'.
Any input would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!





RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Not many "wonderkinds", with one year experience out of school, gets to design anything. I say not many. The truely gifted get to do exciting stuff. The rest of us work.
Most 1 year junior engineers-in-training don't even approve vendor documents (that is committing the company, and contract related). If you are doing that, you are doing well in my company.
What you describe is typical in my company. I would also the following to typical duties:
- photocopying (you would be amazed at how many can't do this correctly the first time)
- putting together job books (again, lots of errors)
- reformatting documents (again, I am amazed)
One criticism of university education I have is that they paint "too rosy" a picture of what the working world will be like for graduate engineers. In oil and gas, before you design a new refinery, you better know how to spec a flange. There are a myriad of information that you need to learn that the schools do not cover. One example, codes. I ask this of the less experienced engineers:
"Do you know all the applicable codes and governmental regulations that govern/applies on your job?"
That sort of puts it in perspective of how much more leaning there is, doesn't it?
In your particular case, I don't know. If you are truely under-utilized, go talk to your supervisor and demonstrate to him/her that you can do more. Then, maybe you will get more responsibility.
Oh, one other thing. Sometimes, it's not you. Rembemer, Jan Ulrich? He is a great rider. He finished 2nd to Lance Armstrong 5 times (or is it six?). Anyway, if Lance is in the same race as you, you won't win. If there is a "star" in your company, maybe you would need to go elsewhere.
Like I said, it's tough to tell. You need to accurately evaluate your situation, your capabilities, and your future development.
80% of respondents believe they are above average. The othre 20% lie.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
What do you want to do? What is your dream job? Spend all of your extra time looking for that job and dont give up. If you love to design stuff then just start designing in your spare time. You gain experience that way AND it shows a potenital employer that you have passion. Problem with some people is they become satified with mediocracy...they give up on their passions. Nothing is more sad.
Sounds like your young, so you have a lot of time :)
Cheers
CJ
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
If you want to stay in aerospace look to get hired by some of the smaller, private space companies like SpaceX, Rocketplane Limited, or Microcosm Inc.
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
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RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Sounds like your starting a career in engineering...I felt the same as you about a year ago. Realize that you are actually learning and getting good experience by dealing with vendors, reviewing documents and specs, learning how to communicate on calls, etc.. etc... It was about 1 year into my career that I was handed two projects as lead electrical engineer for very high profile jobs. If I had not been learning the nuts and bolts of the business, I would have fallen on my face. Of course...the two buildings are just under construction now....so we'll see how good I did!! Hang in there and see what happens in the next year...
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Most companies I deal with have a 3-5 year "engineering intern" or "challenger" program that puts recent graduates in a series of company classes and rotating positions before they ever put their name on anything. I've had some recent graduates of the challenger program that you really wanted to have them start over, but most are ok. If you are doing responsible work in your first year out of school I sure hope someone is checking the work.
Life is a whole lot about managing expectations. If you expect to be in responsible charge of the next shuttle launch or Boeing's response to the new AirBus then you will be disappointed.
David
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
First year + will probably see you doing a lot of apparently menial tasks.
Chances are you are learning a lot, even if you don't realize it.
Try and work our what is common in your company, if it's a large company there may be some structure as to when you start getting some more responsibility/interesting tasks. If it’s a small company may be hard to tell.
Before you say too much to you boss consider this. In my current position we’ve had people complain that they weren’t being challenged (both interns and people old enough to know better). Once they were given something more challenging they didn’t know what to do.
In essence, be careful what you wish for, you may get it!
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
In it's own way it can be challenging and interesting and rewarding though most people tire of it eventually.
Tends to be a job with high expectations from others but little appreciation.
I actually got given one 'new & exciting' job in my first week and it wasn't pretty, I didn't automatically get the support & help I needed, I had to go ask and of course working out who and what to ask was a challenge. I recovered it eventually but someone more experienced would have done better & faster.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Keep your eyes open, improve yourself all the time, work towards your P.E. license whether its required in your field or not, make contacts, stay on the good side of all the people you come across, don't get brandished a pushover, nor a suck-ass and I think after about 5 to 10 years of muscling through it all you will be in a MUCH better position to write your own ticket.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
You need to find a role model whose doing the work you'd like to do and ask questions on how to get there. Everone here will have their opinion colored by their personal experience and prejudice. Hopefully you can find someone in your company who can act as a mentor, but look outside if you have too.
-b
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
A lot of engineering centers around pushing a pencil. Don't get discouraged. I'd imagine a testing position would put you in a better spot for what you're looking to do. (Although much report writing, documenting findings,etc.) It sounds like you're getting good face time with your vendors, and this provides you a great networking opportunity.
I believe it was the Tick who wrote "90% of engineering work can be done by a non-eng. It's the other 10% that you get paid for "
(don't smoke me if I'm wrong)
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Aside from the different number of years and experiences between zdas04 and HVACctrl, there is also a difference in industry.
Each industry have their norms and such. It may be that in HVAC, things go faster, and in mechanical, it goes slower.
Aerospce, I would guess (and I am guessing here), I would imagine to go even slower. They are very large complicated projects, typically dealing with government and their regulations, or the defense department with their regulations.
I think another way of looking at this arguement is to take all the comments collectively, and then assess your specific situation. In any data sample, there are always outliers. If you are an outlier (that is, you truely are gifted and can contribute right away), then you should seek more responsibility. If not, then it looks like your current career path is faily "typical" to me.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Flyhi, just exactly HOW do you imagine "being on new and exciting projects"?
I don't know about Aerospace, but in Chemical an exciting project is usually a short flash of genius where someone (usually not you) got a brilliant idea, or a good idea, or just picked the less risky option, followed by anywhere between 3 months and 3 years of paperwork to push it through the organisation and finally have it implemented. The excitement and sex-appeal of a new project is gone from the moment you have documented (or start to document, rather) what exactly you want and then have to explain and convince it to all the other people, and adapt it because what you wanted is not necessarily practical.
The good news is that the more experience you gain, the more efficient you become at the paperwork side of things, so the less time you spend on boring issues and the more on launching another idea.
Anyway, I can only talk in general terms, have a good discussion with your boss about this and let him tell you how your responsibilities may develop.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Just to clarify, HVAC is correct. In my original post, I never meant to say that I wanted more RESPONSIBILITY, nor did I ever mention that I wanted to be "the Boss". (I suppose I should have been more clear about that.) In fact, I would very much prefer to be mentored and monitored carefully, so as to be given an opportunity to establish a solid foundation. What I did mean, however (and very unfortunately), is that I do not enjoy the type of work I am currently doing. Now, whether there are different types of engineering jobs elsewhere or if all engineering careers start this way, that is what I would like to know. I also wanted to determine the opportunity cost of me staying here (i.e. the 'perfect' job may be out there somewhere and I could be gaining valuable experience doing it).
Thanks again all for your comments!
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Unfortunately, someone didn't tell you that 50% of engineering is clerical, 40% is repetitive boredom, and 10% is making coffee and photocopying.
Very few people get to design anything of consequence. I had read someplace that an automotive designer at Ford had the job of designing the door handle on the Focus. That was his/her job. One pair of door handles. Not exactly sexy.
Do you know what the door handle of your car looks like in any detail?
If the answer is no, that is my point.
If the answer is yes - boy are you observant!
I haven't designed anything in many years. I still do my "engineering work", make photocopies (a lot), and yes, I make coffee (especially if I want some).
This is engineering. It is boring and dull. It is the nature of the discipline.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Haha!
A. Without the 10% towards coffee-making, the distribution would be: 50% staring at random point on desk, 30% clerical and 20% repetitive boredom.
B. In my organization, it seems as if we devote >50% on meetings. We have meetings to schedule meetings!
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
The drawback is the pay scale. Smaller companies I've been involved with generally haven't paid as well as the larger ones my pals from college work for. But the managerial experience you receive, in addition to the technical, positions you better (I think) to move up the ladder faster than your counterparts in larger companies (if you're job switching that is).
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I finally took a risk and went to work for a small company that makes portable electronic products and now I manage many of my own design projects.
In general I have had a much more satisfying experience working for a small company...and would never go back. Of course you must keep in mind that in a small company an individuals contribution means a lot more (if your one of 3 engineers then you cant slack or stuff doesnt get done) and you must shoulder a lot more responsibility.
Ive had an opposite experience with small companies and pay...they tend to pay more because their profit per person is generally more AND they dont have corporate payscales to contend with...you can negotiate.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Fly, but keep your eyes fixed in the earth for a good landing.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Regards,
Mike
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
To avoid becoming a slug, I think I'd prefer, "the key to being happy in life is reasonable expectations rather than lofty expectations." Leave the lofty ones to the alpha engineers.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
As a wise friend tells me "the key to being happy in life is lowered expectations".
I'd agree with Quantum50. If your going to have an additude like that then why be an engineer at all? Thats like saying that the key to happiness is a labotomy OR that pain aversion and comfort are more important than bettering yourself.
My opinion is that the struggle is the point... and exceeding the expectations of others and yourself is happiness! (obviously not just in engineering)
CJ
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I re read some of your older posts, which are very similar in nature and frustration to this thread. And I must say that maybe the problem isn't your work environment, or your co-workers or your job,etc...
Last October you were dis-satisfied. You are still dissatisfied. You are trying to point your finger at the problem of your dissatisfaction... but remember when you point a finger, there are 3 more pointing back at you.
Look in the mirror to find personal satisfaction, and you will be happy wherever you are. Even if you find another job, you may remain dissatisfied...
psycology for a nickel, thank you chuck... now where's that football...?
Wes C.
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When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Just kidding around Wes.:)
I can honestly say that I can see where someone who is dissatisfied with their work is coming from. I have only had a one or two jobs where I really loved and was challenged by the work. However, either the geography or some other issue got in the way. I think its hard to find interesting, challenging work that pays you well and gives you opportunity for growth and develpment. ITs especially hard if you have high expectations and are idealistic about the way things should be.
I don't think that means the person is problematic- maybe just not easy to please on the job front. But that trait of not setting for less might be the one thing that drives an individual to ultimately find the perfect job or create his/her own company.
Just a different angle.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I wasn't trying to be harsh.. but it may have come off that way. I really just want to give sound advice, from the heart. And Yes, if you have unrealistic expectatoins, you will always meet with disappointment. Because the world is the way it is, for better or worse, we have to learn to deal with it.
My only intent here is for Kchida to not be banging his head against the wall with this same basic question every year for the rest of his life.
But you know.. do-gooders on these boards get slamed, so...
Wes C.
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When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Just warning you all that I'm going to reply in a rather frank manner. It is not my intention to offend anyone or project a negative attitude. This is just a humble opinion from a new member of the "work force", so please take it as it is and feel free to reply in an equally frank way. I really don't mind it; in fact, I always appreciate an honest reponse.
I agree with what has been suggested. I need to find happiness "within" before I pursue happiness from external sources. BUT, I think the key to my frustration right now is that I've studied hard for 5 straight years(while working P/T), only to end up doing something that has practically nothing to do with what I've learned. I should suggest to the universities that the present engineering curriculum must be revised to include courses that teach networking, presentation and project management skills.
To add to the trauma of voiding 5 years worth of blood and sweat, I don't think there is a great demand for new engineers right now and it doesn't look like things are about to change anytime soon. With each passing year, corporate R&D budgets shrink and design/research jobs flock to the East (and I have 40 more years of work ahead of me!).
We [entry-level engineers] have to go knocking door-to-door, for 8 months straight, just to land a phone interview or any response from an employer. One nearly could have gestated offspring in that timespan!
We face immense competition, since new entrants into the engineering profession are not limited. Why do I keep reading in the Times that there is a shortage of young American engineers and scientists?
We must relocate to our new jobs and then relocate again when the Man doesn't need us anymore.
And, to put icing on the cake, my fiance is also studying to become an engineer, so the chances of us finding a job in the same area are very slim. She talks about having kids soon, but I don't feel like I can set my roots anywhere anytime soon. Growing up, my family moved around quite a bit, so I promised myself that I wouldn't do that to my child.
Sorry for the long rant!
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
4 year engineering programs don't really have enough time to cover all the "useful" stuff on the engineering side - or so many have claimed.
Now, you want to add networking, presentation and project managment skills to the curriculum?
By the way, project management is a discipline in itself. Many courses are available, both from universities and othe for-profit companies, to teach project managers exactly that - how to manage a project.
You asked originally whether your expectations are unrealistic. My answer to you is "Yes. I think your expectations are unrealistic."
This is my take, after reading your replies.
Like anything else, everyone wants to start at the top - no one wants to sacrifice to get there, assuming that they have the total package to get there talentwise in the first place.
Then again, what I say doesn't matter - it's what you believe.
Good Luck.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I was just messin' around- not slamming you. I honestly thought your words were positive. You're right about unrealistic expectations.
I just think that in some cases there is no reason for us to believe that the things that are commonly accepted as unrealistic really are unrealistic.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I'm 9 years into my career (11 if you count 2 years of co-op while in school) and I agree that this profession is not as rosy as the picture that was presented.
I emphathize with the things kchida is saying. Just not sure what can be done about it.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
- talk to someone you know and trust who works in the profession
- paid summer interships during high school
- not paid summer jobs
- many societies host meet and greets (both HS and univ)
- talk to your parents
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
None of those things worked for me, although I did work two internships while in college. I really didn't know anyone in a similar profession other than my father, but he really isn't the talking type when it comes to this sort of thing.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm not suggesting that the additional material should be added on top of the existing curriculum. I was just suggesting that maybe they can remove some highly-specialized technical classes and replace them with business/econ classes. Better yet, they should replace the General Ed. electives with mandatory courses that teach practical engineering skills. For example, a technical writing class will be much more beneficial than, say, State-Space Feedback Control Systems. In many ways, engineering programs can be viewed as a "crucible" test to identify bright, detail-oriented and technically-minded people. I've come to realize that much of the material taught in class is not useful in the workplace, which I find very disappointing. But, like HVAC said, "What can be done about it?".
I must admit that I was a nieve young man in high school. But really, who wasn't? My parents were not really in a good position to give me sound advice about career choices. Let's just say that going to college was entirely my decision. More importantly, these things should have become apparent WHILE I WAS DOING my degree. I did manage to land an intership during the post-911 slump; however, it was in software engineering. Most of the time, my extracurricular activites were work (to pay the bills) and assisting graduate researchers.
I just really hope that, within my lifetime, I will find my place in this world. I want to be able to tell people (without lying!) that I truely love my job. After all, most of us spend more than half our waking hours at work and the clock's not gonna tick forever....or maybe I just need a few more years in the "work force" to finally break down and accept reality. Should I settle or keep searching for the "right" job? Is the "right" job even out there? (these are just rhetorical questions. I understand that I have to decide and find out for myself. Ahhh yes, the great journey called Life.)
Thanks all for the responses. :)
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Just four years ago I was pretty much in your exact position. I had started work in the telecommunications division of a Fortune 500 company and felt like I wasn't going much of anywhere. During my first year I handled a bunch of small things that the other engineers didn't have time for, spent time in meetings with designs and concepts flying over my head, and pretty much felt bored. In my offtime I pored over the internet trying to find what it was that I really wanted to do in life.
Fast forward to the end of my second year, and due to a limited staff and a truck load of work, I was given a corporate wide project that I probably had no business being lead on. But I worked my tail off (I quit counting the number of 80 hour weeks) and loved every minute of it (at least most every minute of it). At the end of the year my VP personally congratulated me on a project well done, and gave me a bonus to boot. Now I'm approaching five years and have had conversations with co-workers discussing that despite all the bad stuff (every job must have something negative), how much we thoroughly enjoy our jobs. Fortunately the hours have backed way off too.
So to sum it up, in my opinion one year is not enough time to judge much of anything. Very few professions are exactly what you learned in school, so if that's what you want, think about grad school. My advice is to excel on every project that comes your way, big or small, and if after 2 to 3 years within the company you still aren't getting much "meat", it will probably be time to reevaluate. From what I've seen, most companies are not staffed enough to not fully utilize their capable employees, so just make sure that you are one. Best of luck.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Twix79 made some good points.
Few people are fortunate (smart enough/work hard enough?) to find a job they truly love all the time.
Frankly from a lot of people I know and have met you'll be doing well to find a job you even like most of the time.
There are so many factors that affect being happy in your life, being happy in your job is one of them.
To better answer you original post. In my first year – 18 months at a fairly small aerospace/defense company I had the pleasure of:
* being the assistant to the head of sustaining (Post Design Services) engineering (think taking phone messages, preparing meeting minutes, drafting letters & emails etc)
* minor design changes/amendments (effectively incorporating ECO/ECR)
* preparing amendments (ECO)
* investigations into sustaining problems (identifying alternate parts, generating lists of requested improvements etc),
* assisting with minor trials (think stretching big bungee cords),
* photographing components
* One major modification (which got taken away from me around the time it got interesting)
New & Exciting lol. From what I’ve seen It’s amazing how few New & Exciting projects there are so somewhat less surprising the newbie doesn’t get them. I’ve worked a few new projects and I’ve worked some exciting projects (think condensing what would normally be a 2-4 year program first into first 9 months and then repeating it a couple of years later in 3 months) the two are not always linked.
Sounds like at least some people have had other experiences but that was mine.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I graduated in spring 2004 and spent 8 months (at my parents VERY gracious allowance) searching for a job anywhere and everywhere in the US that would have me. I found an 6-month internship position through my school's career center which began as part-time but went full-time within a month. After 6 months I had a salaried position and have been here for a year since. In that time I have:
Processed many an ECO (although many were my idea).
Designed and modified our products, their instrumentation, and their shipping cases. (most of our business is in modification)
Designed QC specs and then inspected to said specs.
Packed a few orders when things got busy. (have to ship those units)
Given a talk (ppt) at a few training sessions, both internal and external.
Attended an international trade show and manned our companies booth.
Dealt with regulatory and patent consultants.
Acted as purchasing agent for restocks and new products.
Dealt with several vendors and subcontractors, dealing with prospective and current mfg. issues.
Basically been crazy lucky to get in with a small company (<30 employees).
I would say I use major engr. math maybe once a month, everything else is knowing what standard/tool/software to use and where to find it. I've seen some percentages in other threads on this topic but I like the one as such (paraphrase):
Engineering is 90% paper-pushing, you get paid for the other 10%.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
My view of an university engieering education is different than yours it seems.
University needs to teach the technical stuff. Just because you don't use something, doesn't mean someone else doesn't need it.
A university education does not guarantee you a job, let alone a good job that you like. A university education allows you to learn about a discipline. What you do with it determines where you go.
Perhaps a better solution is to make available project management, networking, presentation and etc. as electives available to undergrads.
One other venue. At my school, I can audit any course I want for free. I can't take the final exams, and there are no credits, but I can attend lectures and labs and do everything else. I found a couple of courses not related to my degree that I like, and audited it. I learned, no credit, but that doesn't really matter - I'm at university to learn.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I switched companies and now I work as a field/ test engineer. I work outside most days but also spend time attending meetings and reading documents. While I don't do much design engineering, I interface with those that do, prove weak points in a design concept and generally advance the design of a project.
Straight out of school your best bet is to spend time in the field learning what works and what doesen't. Only when you have practical experience will you be able to constructivly participate in the design process. These lessons will also help to further your career.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
My first years weren't spent on document/design checking and photocopying at all. If anything, my first 3-4 years at work were tougher mentally than my college days. I would say that a company using its young, agile minds to do these menial tasks is wasting potential. New graduates may need direction and close supervision, but they do have some cool ideas.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
I didn't read all the posts.
Let me give you my take on why some things are and a not brief enough summary of my experiences.
Aircraft systems are in a constant evolutionary cycle for their entire useful life.
That's for a few reasons: Time to market and immature product designs, Customers tend to use the product for decades while regulations and technology changes. Sentinel safety events dictate improvements.
It’s also a regulated business where safety and regulatory compliance is actively monitored and enforced.
All this means that manufacturers, operators, maintainers, mod houses etc. have to devote huge resources to documentation and configuration control.
The FAA (or appropriate regulatory agencies) will generally leave your real aircraft alone if the paper airplanes look good.
I now consider these jobs systems engineering jobs. I am an airplane mechanic that went back and got my BSEE degree. As a mechanic I did time as an overhaul mechanic turning a wrench, as a sheet metal man, as an avionics technician, as a lead man on an overnight maintenance crew and on the flight line.
I’ve worked for 4 major airlines, a couple Part 145 repair stations, I did some commuter work, did a very brief stint in general aviation and a couple years for the Department of the Navy in Flight Test.
I’m now the cognizant engineer for aircraft collision avoidance systems and air traffic control transponders at a large airline. TCAS and transponders seems to have become something of a niche for me.
This is the second major airline where I have filled that specific role. I’ll never design a TCAS Computer or Transponder.
My previous employer operated a mixed fleet of over 500 commercial passenger jets. There were always issues to address.
At my current employer, we have 200 something jets but we have total ownership over our installation. The only OEM support that’s relevant may be structural otherwise everything else related to those systems is my responsibility.
I am a primary resource for delivering the various modification packages that define the work done on the aircraft, maintenance manual procedures etc.
I’m also act as a program manager coordinating internal contractor assistance, work done by outside contractors, equipment and parts purchases, legal and contracts arrangements, certification arrangements, billing/payment issues and regulatory issues for the numerous countries we fly to.
I participate in industry meetings to develop specifications for equipment and processes. I have consulted on government funded projects for security.
I’m still interested in circuit design, embedded computer projects, EMC, RFI, acoustics, music, software development, audio and sensors. I pursue those topics as a hobby and take classes from time to time. I’ve maintained my IEEE membership and attend events when I’m in cities that have active chapters.
It adds a lot of value to at least be aware of what’s going on around me with any technology.
It’s my carrier. It’s up to me to make it what I want it to be. If you only take classes that are paid for by a company, you only develop as their tool.
Commercial passenger aviation is a very tough business. There is no money in flying people around. I believe it has to do with the business model. It’s relatively easy for someone to start a point to point airline then try to grow it. Competition is unbelievably fierce.
For the upper management types the clever strategy options are too often eclipsed by the need to control costs. This really keeps the salaries down.
The industry and military and OEMs still always need people that can function as multidiscipline technical managers and system level managers and integrators.
Aviation in the USMC captured my attention as a much younger man (17). It’s never dull in an aircraft operations area. The closer to the line you get, the more interesting it is. You see and experience things in a hangar you’ll never see anywhere else.
I remember holding a stand for a guy manually wrenching the pneumatic start vale open on an L1011. Small by today’s standards but to be a couple feet from a 40,000 lb thrust engine as it spools up had the little hairs on the back of my neck standing up for a week.
It’s an intense environment. After a DC-9 run-up at the blast fence, I thought I’d run back and close the service panel door as they slowly taxied by. I nearly got myself run over. I had the shakes for a week.
I stayed with it. Some times were really bad (when all the unions at Eastern Airlines went on strike at once). My retirements have been cleaned out and bailed out. I’m finally with a good company and it’s working.
Electronics (and math and physics and music) seems to have become my second love.
Knowing what I know now, if I had to do it all over again, I’d have to seriously consider Optometry or plastic surgery or. Gluttony and vanity are blossoming.
Good luck what ever you do. Sorry for the tome.
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Its exactly how you described it.
Meetings, Reading mail, Typing the lead engineers spreadsheets, memo's exc. phoning vendors and craping them out of missing data, phoning vendors and inquiring on data of there products. Double checking drawings and Single line diagrams. Tiping specs for the mine exc. Did I mentioned checking email.
I havent even seen an Circuit breaker in real life or a 6 core cable. If somebody throughs a hard hat at me I wouldnt know what the hel hit me. If I knew 5 years ago what I know now I would have studied something different, took my monies and started my own buss. The most excitment I had with electricity was in varcity.
Life is hard on all of us. I agree with the flyerhigher, if there is anybody out there with an interesting engineer job please let us know before it is to late.
my utmost and sencerest regards
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Do not rely on others tell you about interesting jobs. We have no idea as to what you find interesting. Take stock, and look for what intrigues you. Then go after it with gusto.
I have gone from construction instruments/tools, into semi-conductor equipment, and am now working with producing metrology equipment. When I started my career 20+ years ago, I did not know my primary interest would take me into manufacturing/industrial instead of design. Luckily for me I realized during the interviewing process coming out of school, that I did not really relish the thought of sitting in front of a computer all day. I enjoy seeing the complete transition from design on through the launch. Next thought for me in terms of career path, is Project Management.
Regards,
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
Kontiki99 - No need to apologize for the long post. I read every single word in your post and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective on things.
Overall, I think I feel much better now. It's comforting to hear that I'm not the only one out there that feels the same way. I think I can reasonably conclude that this job is not for me (or at least not for the long haul). It is not a question of whether I can handle the job or not. Very simply, it's just not for me. I can't go on feeling dead, 5 days a week, for the rest of my life. Going to work everyday just to pay my bills simply doesn't cut it for me. I honestly believe that there is more to life than this. Let's face it, our jobs ARE our lives. :)
RE: New engineer: Are my expectations unrealistic?
If I had to do it all over again I'd still pick engineering and I wouldn't do much differently from a carreer point of view.
(Although of course from a technical point of view If I'd known then what I know now I'd have done things quicker and picked the right solution first time etc)
I don't regret being an engineer, there are aspects of it I don't like but parts I do and parts which are just a challenge. Don't give up.
Maybe you're current position isn't for you but do the best you can, learn what you can and when you think you can offer more to a different position go for it. I still believe in earning your dues although I guess a lot of the posters don't feel the same.