beagley
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 06:35 PM |
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OT: Calling any and all engineers.....
I am wanting to head back to school to get another degree in engineering. Turns out I'm really good at math, problem solving, and building
things. My current problem is there seems to be more types of engineering than there are engineers.
If any of you lot are engineers in any capacity would you please share what your duties actually are? If you don't want to share with the world
feel free to PM me. I'm leaning toward Mechanical Engineering at this point and hopefully moving into Automotive Engineering, but I'm not
really sure. I know the basics between the different types, but as said, there are MANY to choose from.
Thanks all,
Beags
I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.
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lewis
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 06:54 PM |
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I'm a aircraft engineer mate fairly good money and more engineers leaving the industry than coming in so may push up money more job prospects
ect, my duties are performing all manner of servicing,defect rectification,modifications ect. You could go into aeronautical design if you prefer that
kind of thing or like me get your b1 licence and work hands on.
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beagley
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 06:56 PM |
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Thanks Lewis....
Over the past 2 years I've really become passionate about all things auto related. I've always loved cars, but only recently have I
started feeding the beast. How much if any do you work with CAD software, or are you the actual machinist as well?
Edit: As a young kid (8-9 years old) I would tell people I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer. I just knew they made jets.... 
[Edited on 8/11/2010 by beagley]
I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.
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86barettaguy
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 06:59 PM |
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I'm a mechanical engineer. Currently I'm designing refrigerator and freezer components and I am expected to perform FE analysis when
necessary as well as being able to help the other people at my department if they have questions on the FE bits.
Actually, "designing" doesn't feel like it's the right word. I'm producing solutions to problems while staying within
the guidelines set up by the designers (or whoever decides what functions are needed from the parts I'm working on, which sometimes just happen
to be myself), I'm not actually designing stuff...
I used to be responsible for mechanical testing and was involved in testing refrigerators and freezers from a refrigeration point of view.
A typical mission from a locost perspective would be to have the chassis and be asked to design the entire front suspension.
You know, most engineering degrees I see are for mechanical engineering. they just call them something else ("design engineer" sounds a
bit flashier than "mechanical engineer" though most "design engineers" I've met really don't impress me at
all).
Almost all engineering degrees fall into one of the following basic categories:
1) Mechanical engineering
2) Electrical engineering
3) Chemical engineering
4) Computer engineering
My advice? Go for a degree in mechanical engineering which contains courses for FE analysis and CFD/aerodynamics.
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mcerd1
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 06:59 PM |
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Mechanical is a good all rounder
I did Mech. Eng. and now design steel structures for a living (i.e. structural engineering)
other folk on my course ended up working with oil, energy, eletrical, automotive and even building submarines....
[Edited on 11/8/2010 by mcerd1]
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beagley
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:02 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 86barettaguy
Almost all engineering degrees fall into one of the following basic categories:
1) Mechanical engineering
2) Electrical engineering
3) Chemical engineering
4) Computer engineering
My advice? Go for a degree in mechanical engineering which contains courses for FE analysis and CFD/aerodynamics.
I'm leaning towards Mechanical or Electrical. I can see huge growth in those areas in the next 20 to 30 years with new power generation
technologies etc...
What exactly is FE analysis? I did some basic cad design stuff in high school, but it was mostly BASIC stuff like nuts, bolts, and the like.
Edit: I don't really think I want to go toward computer engineering. I currently have a degree in Information Technology and write computer
software for a living. I'm wanting to broaden my horizons....
[Edited on 8/11/2010 by beagley]
I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.
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mcerd1
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:04 PM |
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FE = Finite Element
you really need to know what your doing with it to get good results (half of the master final year of my course was on FE)
[Edited on 11/8/2010 by mcerd1]
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86barettaguy
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:12 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
FE = Finite Element
you really need to know what your doing with it to get good results (half of the master final year of my course was on FE)
[Edited on 11/8/2010 by mcerd1]
true, though you don't have to be an expert to get usable results (it is essential to know the software you're working with though, as I
have discovered on numerous occasions).
FEA and CFD are getting more and more important for designers these days for improving mechanical and aerodynamical behaviour of various products
(such as refrigerators and freezers). I'm just hoping my superiors (and their superiors) will realize this someday soon
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lewis
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:17 PM |
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No cad or design work all hands on engineering getting dirty with hydraulics and pneumatics,jet engines ect, I like you am really into cars but
thought if I'm doing it every day then I might not want to do my passion in my spare time and the other thing is not many of your mates ask you
to help them fix there plane at the weekend 
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86barettaguy
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by lewisthe other thing is not many of your mates ask you to help them fix there plane at the weekend
plus you're not likely to enter a store and end up analyzing the competitors products
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tegwin
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:27 PM |
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Lewis.
I am curious. What qualifications do you have/need to be a certified aircraft engineer? Would be awsome to work on commercial helichopters...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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amalyos
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:35 PM |
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If you enjoy doing CAD work and getting your hands dirty, don't go into Automotive Engineering with a big OEM or Tier 1 supplier.
I have worked for an OEM and currently work for a large Tier 1, but my most enjoyable years were working for a high speed packaging company where I
ran the design office, getting involved with the CAD design, machine shop and assembly.
If I wasn't tied with a large mortgage, I'd be designing and building kitcars for a living.
http://stevembuild.blogspot.com
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Badger_McLetcher
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:40 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Lewis.
I am curious. What qualifications do you have/need to be a certified aircraft engineer? Would be awsome to work on commercial helichopters...
I can answer that one...
Basically there's two types of aircraft maintenance licence, B1 (mechanical) and B2 (electrics).
To become a licenced engineer over here you need to get your EASA 66 licence, which is a three year course plus something like 2 years industry
experience.
I was doing it before I started my Mech Eng degree, but found it impossible to find a job at the time.
[Edited on 11/8/10 by Badger_McLetcher]
If disfunction is a function, then I must be some kind of genius.
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bi22le
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 07:46 PM |
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I am a Rehabilitation Engineer. I specialise in wheelchairs. My actual roll and job is complicated to explain (not complicated in practice). I work
for a manufacturing company in Kent who makes wheelchairs, special seating and accessories. My job is mixed but currently I’m mainly contracted out to
the NHS to consult for them to the client and specialist services like Wheelchair services and Child Development Centres. My work is not glamorous but
ticks every other box. It is so varied and rewarding I could not even begin to explain!
My Fiancée (Wife from next month!) is a Qualified Mech Eng, soon to be chartered. She works in Building Services. She basically deals with everything
that heats, cools, lights, powers and generally makes a building useable.
If I was giving you advice qualify as a Mech Eng. It is the most diverse degree that does not pigeon hole you and gives you all of the knowledge you
need to break into ANY industry including automotive. If you study automotive you will find it harder to diversify.
A Building services engineer will organise and manage the projects better than any other person on a project including the project manager many times.
They are the one pivotal person that understands all disciplines and can manage.
I personally know mech eng qualified people that are now CADers (not recommended), Software designers (writes software for Land Rover, Jag, Aston),
designs oil rig pipe work, designs London Underground infill structure and even imports fruit (he gets paid amazing well)!
Oh last thing. Good qualified engineers very rarely get paid as much as they deserve. They are often the only people to take full responsibility for
the project although many other professionals will be involved. If you want to be rich study ME then go into banking or something, but that’s just
boring!!
HTH
[Edited on 11/8/10 by bi22le]
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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beagley
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 08:16 PM |
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Thanks for all the replys everyone. From what I have seen from the course load it looks as though Mechanical is one of the harder to get, but it
opens up the door to pretty much any other type. Some of your jobs sound pretty cool and worthwhile. I also was thinking that with my background in
IT and writing software, anymore all these mechanical things need some kind of controller to run them so I would have a two pronged advantage.
The only other crappy thing is that I'm trying to get this degree while having a full time job, SWMBO, mortgage, and everything else that goes
along with life... except for kids.... yet.
I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 08:39 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 86barettaguy
Actually, "designing" doesn't feel like it's the right word. I'm producing solutions to problems while staying within
the guidelines set up by the designers (or whoever decides what functions are needed from the parts I'm working on, which sometimes just happen
to be myself), I'm not actually designing stuff...
I once saw Engineers defined as "problem solvers." We provide solutions to "how can/do we" questions in the real world.
I once had a debate with someone in the medical field who boasted how many lives the profession has saved, I suggested that Engineers providing
solutions to supplying clean drinking water and dealing with the waste has saved more!
quote:
Almost all engineering degrees fall into one of the following basic categories:
1) Mechanical engineering
2) Electrical engineering
3) Chemical engineering
4) Computer engineering
Jumps up and down waving - Don't forget us Control and Instrumentation Engineers. Although there is some computing and some electrical, we are a
distinct discipline (even got our own Institute). We're the ones that everyone shouts out at the end of the projects, 'cos they want to
ship something and we've not finished - because the other displines all took too long, delaying our start, but the end date always stays fixed!
It's all well and good designing the biggest, best, fastest, whatever, but it's not going to do much without our control systems and
safety systems!
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twybrow
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 08:56 PM |
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Marine and Composites engineer here. I followed the composites route. It really is a good route to go. There are far more jobs than people who
understand composites/composite design, so the money and opportunities are good. It also lends itself to working in all sectors: aero, auto, marine,
energy, construction/civil etc.
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Dave Ashurst
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 09:06 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 86barettaguy
Almost all engineering degrees fall into one of the following basic categories:
1) Mechanical engineering
2) Electrical engineering
3) Chemical engineering
4) Computer engineering
My advice? Go for a degree in mechanical engineering which contains courses for FE analysis and CFD/aerodynamics.
I'm a chartered civil engineer - not sure which of your "basic categories" that fits into  
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mcerd1
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| posted on 11/8/10 at 10:29 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Dave Ashurst
I'm a chartered civil engineer - not sure which of your "basic categories" that fits into
well as the joke goes:
"mechanical engineers build wepons, civil engineers build targets"
but I should also have said earlier the lecturers I had (mech eng) were involved in everthing includiung nano machines, medical devices, robotics, new
CADD (virtual reality, FEA, CFD......), materials science, oil exploration, carbon capture, engine design and about a hundred other things
if you want to do any engineering degree, the Uni you pick is just as important as the subject - some do engineering better than others
[Edited on 11/8/2010 by mcerd1]
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richardlee237
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| posted on 12/8/10 at 05:49 AM |
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couple of points
Chemical Engineers are the highest paid.
Composite technology should be major growth area in the Uk as we try to keep at the technology cutting edge
Quote Lord Kelvin
“Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in race horses and women.”
Quote Richard Lee
"and cars"
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Ivan
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| posted on 12/8/10 at 09:37 AM |
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Certainly in my experience very few Design engineers make big bucks although obviously there are exceptions, but most seem to enjoy their jobs. The
people I know in the industry who have made serious money are artisans who open their own businesses, one is waiting for his Ferrari 599 GTO to arrive
at the end of the month.
The coolest design job I know of is a cousin of mine (Mechanical Engineer) who is into aircraft component design (he is in fact one of the top in the
world and at 70 is still in huge demand despite refusing to have anything to do with computers and cad systems - all his work is done the old
fashioned way, on paper and with a slide rule. )
He designs gearboxes for power and hydraulics generation for the Rolls Royce/BMW jet engines amongst others and his designs are on many commercial
aircraft - also designs the actuators for flaps and aerlions and many other components like that - has worked on components for many western fighters,
bombers and several helicopters made in the past 30 years.)
Some years back whilst on holiday in SA he was busy with an airloin design for a small business jet working on my drawing board and I watched the
process with interest - one of the modifications required was to build in an adjustable mechanism to put permanent twist in the aerloin to enable them
to balance the plane after testing 
Forgot to say - basically he is given a space to fit the thing in, the job it needs to do, the service interval and the power source and a maximum
weight and his job is to meet all the criteria for the lowest weight and cost. So every job is different and challenging as he is designing in
compettion with other equally talented designers and wins often enough to have to turn down work.
[Edited on 12/8/10 by Ivan]
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Alan B
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| posted on 12/8/10 at 01:54 PM |
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I'm a mechanical design engineer...job title..Snr. project engineer.
Typically in my current job I will take a customers part usually metal or plastic and design a machine to print onto it and perform other assembly
operations. The most important consideration is usally the rate and this determines whether it's a slowish pick and place type machine or high
speed continous motion machine with cams etc.
Every project is different and I'd say about 80% time of my is on Inventor designing in 3D.
I got a BSc from the OU over a ten year period starting in the early 80's
My current employers....
www.apexmachine.com
and my personal side job site...
Desico Design
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L5W
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| posted on 12/8/10 at 04:54 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
I'm a mechanical design engineer...job title..Snr. project engineer.
Typically in my current job I will take a customers part usually metal or plastic and design a machine to print onto it and perform other assembly
operations. The most important consideration is usally the rate and this determines whether it's a slowish pick and place type machine or high
speed continous motion machine with cams etc.
Every project is different and I'd say about 80% time of my is on Inventor designing in 3D.
I got a BSc from the OU over a ten year period starting in the early 80's
My current employers....
www.apexmachine.com
and my personal side job site...
Desico Design
We've just bought a machine from you! Looking forward to seeing it in Norwich within the next couple of weeks
To add to the thread, I got a BEng in mechanical engineering and I'm currently working in the manufacturing industry for a firm that injection
moulds plastic components. My role is geared towards production improvements and I've been moving more toward the IT side, having recently
learnt SQL language as part of a project to implement a wireless production monitoring system for our machines.
Cheers,
Lee
http://l5w-mk-indy-zetec.blogspot.com/
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Alan B
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| posted on 12/8/10 at 05:10 PM |
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Lee,
Small world....I guess you know Alan and Andy who came over to approve the machine?
I was heavily involved in that project.
Alan
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L5W
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| posted on 12/8/10 at 06:15 PM |
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Hi Alan,
Small world indeed! Yes, I know Andy and Alan, it sounds like they had a busy week with you. I've been involved with the project too, mainly on
the Sharp machine. Have met Bob C a few times when he's been over to visit us.
Lee
http://l5w-mk-indy-zetec.blogspot.com/
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