Career Advice

[matthewb0051]

Look into Formula 1. Some current vacancies:

Details - Mercedes AMG F1 Careers

Williams F1

https://careers.mclaren.com/go/Applied-Technologies/723801/

Careers at Red Bull Racing | Red Bull Racing Formula One Team

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by mcinturff

Awesome advice all around, thanks to all who have replied so far.

I had a feeling that I would hear things like "you'd be lucky to be designing a cup holder". Had no idea that the industry was as cut-throat as it is. I like the idea of working for a small company, I'll look more into that. My ideal job would have enough diversity of work to keep it interesting.
Unfortunately the job market is flooded with engineers laid off from oil and gas, a lot of whom went to Texas A&M which has one of the best alumni networks out there (the one at my school is a joke). I'm considering finding a local shop to work for while I search if nothing more than to show that I have relative experience other than my school's Formula SAE team.

I like the idea of going back for my PhD and doing research, but student loans don't pay themselves off and interest is brutal.

Hmmm, you might be interested in checking out this firm? Very performance oriented, based in Plano Texas.

https://vorshlag-store.com/

[hcoles]

^^ I looked at the Birkman site and some youtubes on Birkman. Seems very good. It might point you to being a customer service type engineer compared to a sit by yourself designing things engineer.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by mcinturff

Awesome advice all around, thanks to all who have replied so far.

I had a feeling that I would hear things like "you'd be lucky to be designing a cup holder". Had no idea that the industry was as cut-throat as it is. I like the idea of working for a small company, I'll look more into that. My ideal job would have enough diversity of work to keep it interesting. .

I am a car guy and I thought I had gone to heaven when I got a job with GM back in the early 80s. I quickly found out there is very little glamour in automotive engineering. My claims to fame were designing a parking brake cable bracket for the front wheel drive Camaro and making a small improvement in the rear disc brake caliper for the Pontiac STE.
Got into aerospace and it was pretty much the same - 10% engineering and 90% BS.
I never worked as an engineer for a small company, but I think you're on the right track there.

[Rich76_911s]

Elephant racing has on his employment page that he is looking for a design engineer. I don't know engineering at all, but I had seen the job posted so I figured I'd provide a link: Elephant Racing Jobs

If I was in the field I think working at Elephant Racing would be one hell of a fun way to spend my time.