Hodd
11th Oct 2009, 17:15
Development Engineers – opinions, advice or crystal ball gazing about training, career options and employability
I’ll start off vague to avoid boring everyone, and also in the hope that others will find advice/opinions useful.
I graduated a decade ago with a Mechanical Engineering degree. Since then I have been pretty much an office-based engine development engineer, which I still do now, albeit as an subcontractor. This is OK, but I’m conscious of not really acquiring new skills for the CV/resume.
My experience is very general, but I have nothing in the way of Stress/CAD/CATIA, for example, and certainly no Licences, etc. I don’t wish to come across as a total waster, e.g. I speak some foreign languages and was a secondee Powerplant Engineer once, so I am mobile and have even seen one or two real aircraft in my time :).
Anyway, I’m only in my late thirties and would like to avoid becoming a drifter. I would prefer to remain a subcontractor for another five years (I need the cash) and then who knows.
Vaguer than vague I know, but I would really value opinions/crystal ball gazing about any training someone like me could take or jobs to work in which would stand one in better stead. I’m willing to take time out and pay my own way, within reason.
I’m happy to expand on my experience; I have no secrets, but any general advice to start would be massively appreciated. Many thanks.
I’ll start off vague to avoid boring everyone, and also in the hope that others will find advice/opinions useful.
I graduated a decade ago with a Mechanical Engineering degree. Since then I have been pretty much an office-based engine development engineer, which I still do now, albeit as an subcontractor. This is OK, but I’m conscious of not really acquiring new skills for the CV/resume.
My experience is very general, but I have nothing in the way of Stress/CAD/CATIA, for example, and certainly no Licences, etc. I don’t wish to come across as a total waster, e.g. I speak some foreign languages and was a secondee Powerplant Engineer once, so I am mobile and have even seen one or two real aircraft in my time :).
Anyway, I’m only in my late thirties and would like to avoid becoming a drifter. I would prefer to remain a subcontractor for another five years (I need the cash) and then who knows.
Vaguer than vague I know, but I would really value opinions/crystal ball gazing about any training someone like me could take or jobs to work in which would stand one in better stead. I’m willing to take time out and pay my own way, within reason.
I’m happy to expand on my experience; I have no secrets, but any general advice to start would be massively appreciated. Many thanks.