Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
(OP)
When I graduated with me BSME 6 months ago, the stressful situation of entering the real world led me to settle on a job that is nothing more than a job. What I would like to do is to break into a career in composite structure design and manufacturing.
The two main options I have been entertaining are continuing my education with a masters related to composites work, or working in the industry intially as a fabricator. The former probably represents greater pay down the road, but the later would help me stay grounded in the reality of design and manufacture of composites.
I would be glad to hear what those that have made it in this industry think. A large part of my motivation is my motorsports background, but any situation where I can use my intelligence and creativity would be rewarding.
Thanks for any feedback.
The two main options I have been entertaining are continuing my education with a masters related to composites work, or working in the industry intially as a fabricator. The former probably represents greater pay down the road, but the later would help me stay grounded in the reality of design and manufacture of composites.
I would be glad to hear what those that have made it in this industry think. A large part of my motivation is my motorsports background, but any situation where I can use my intelligence and creativity would be rewarding.
Thanks for any feedback.





RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
I wound up at Spirit AeroSystems.
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
That said, there are plenty of folks in the composite industry such as boats, racing cars, skis etc that probably are more hands on as opposed to theoretical.
Regards,

Qshake
Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
You should be able to find an engineering job related to composites; I don't advise a shop type fabrication job as it may make it difficult to move back into engineering. Getting a master's is a good idea (but not absolutely required) if you have the time and $.
Where are you located? What type/size companies are you interested in?
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
I would not say I hate my job, but I do not enjoy it. My interest is to be involved in performance driven design, which anything being built by high performance composites usually is. I am not interested in industrial FRP vessel design. Motorsports related would be ideal, but not necessary.
I prefer working for a small company for many reasons, but the resources available in a large company certainly can be attractive.
Thanks for the feedback thus far.
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
Regards,

Qshake
Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
Should you decide on the latter option, here is something in your region:
http://ww
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
Getting a job in motorsports is very hard in Europe. I don't know about the US. Generally a lot of people want to work in motorsport, so the companies get the pick of the crop.
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
I started out at a canoe company while I went to school. At Winona State in Minnesota we have the ONLY ABET accredited undegrad program in composites in the world. it is very cool. Lots of places to work etc. It certainly could jump you down the line. The best for a lot of places is to be strong in fab knowledge and well grounded in stics and strengths, the rest is easily learned....trust me.
I have been through all of this before.
Good Luck!!
RE: Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing
Since I'm more into structural design and analysis, I moved on to a good position in a different firm, but I still work on composites, though now it's more analysis.
There are many aspects to composites, but learning how the stuff is made, especially with wet and prepreg layups, and how the tooling is designed, and the effects of warping, springback and so forth can only be combined by spending a lot of time on the floor.
and a master's degree would be nice, I intend to do it, but it doesn't give you the practical skills and knowledge you'll need for work.