Not to harp on Boeing engineers further, but I've seen a great example of that turf-consciousness. One of the program managers I knew asked if a new system could be installed on an aircraft structure. Their response was they knew it couldn't, but it would take $200,000 for them to explain why...
Corgum's post is unfortunately true - there are those program "managers" who are more concerned with their career path and looking good to Congress than procuring a product the users actually want. I am currently on one program that feels like a textbook example. However, I am also...
I agree with ietech. I have been working for the Navy as a flight test engineer for about three years, and I am currently one of a few test team leads for a USD $15 million project. The trick with (federal) government engineering work is that you can be as busy, dynamic, and progressive as...
Suzi95,
When I got my BS in Aerospace, I took a Writing Public Policy class as part of my minor. As a test engineer, I have to write test plans, installation instructions, cost estimates, and Reports of Test Results. What I have found in the Aerospace industry is that companies (generally)...
Nicklemet,
I am also one of the "lucky few". I have only been in the post-college working world for about 2.5 years, but my co-op experiences were EXTREMELY valuable! I was a co-op at Sikorsky, and while I spent about 3-4 months in three different groups, I was given real tasks...
I have been trying to answer the "What's the value of an MEM?" question myself. From the programs I've seen (George Washington University and Syracuse University mainly), it looks like a condensed version of the MS in Business Administration if the student wants to be in charge of an...
