A career in Space
A career in Space
(OP)
Hi,
I am currently a mechanical engineer working for a large aerospace company with 8 years experience. I am currently also doing a part-time degree in Mechanical Engineering. (Note: This is not a homework/student post!)
I have a burning desire to get involved with a company who are at the forefront of the Space industry. It's a passion I have and something I would really like to work at. In my current situation under contract I remain at my current company until I complete my degree but I want to start looking and understanding what options there are for me.
Can anybody advice where I should be looking, the route I should be taking (direct emplyoment, graduate program etc..).
I appreciate the advice you can offer.
Thanks
I am currently a mechanical engineer working for a large aerospace company with 8 years experience. I am currently also doing a part-time degree in Mechanical Engineering. (Note: This is not a homework/student post!)
I have a burning desire to get involved with a company who are at the forefront of the Space industry. It's a passion I have and something I would really like to work at. In my current situation under contract I remain at my current company until I complete my degree but I want to start looking and understanding what options there are for me.
Can anybody advice where I should be looking, the route I should be taking (direct emplyoment, graduate program etc..).
I appreciate the advice you can offer.
Thanks





RE: A career in Space
http://www.spacex.com/
...who has been in the news recently and who, based on their recent success, appears to be hiring, at least that would seem to be the case if you look at their Careers link (BTW, I know several of the 'faces' from that photo on the 'Careers' page as I've worked with many of these people over the years, both during their tenure at Space-X and at the various other organizations that they've come from whom we have also dealt with in the past).
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: A career in Space
RE: A career in Space
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: A career in Space
Plus there's still several military space launchers.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: A career in Space
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: A career in Space
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: A career in Space
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”
RE: A career in Space
Just to clear up a few queries, when I say "Job in Space", I meant within the Space industry. I work in an aerospace company but I want to work on something that reaches a bit further, tackles the unknown and has greater challenges.
Mechanical/Aerospace - If I had the choice again I may have opted for Aerospace, however my main reason for choosing Mechanical Engineering at the time was to get a broader knowledge of engineering (mechanically) as I thought an Aerospace degree may have the potential to limit me slightly.
I am also in the UK and have already contacted NASA regarding this issue, the answer is that I will need USA Citizenship but NASA occasionally use international sub-contractors.
SpaceX are the type of company that seem appealing to me, also the ESA and UK based space companies.
Oh and I'm not sure I look the part for the Chinese space program..!
RE: A career in Space
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”
RE: A career in Space
You'll want to check out places like Astrium & Surrey satellites in the UK, but you probably already know that.
The USA citizenship issue for working in US aerospace/defense is a big deal. Typically you need to not just get the citizenship but also renounce any other citizenship. Even then having a bunch of friends and family from another country can make it painful.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?