Careers in aerospace/design engineering
Educated Hillbilly
Genghis,
G.E is the only company that enforces a 12 month rule for contractors; literally unheard of in the rest of the industry.
If you know guys at BAe then you will certainly know of long term permy-tractors that have contracted at one site for five years plus; I admit this is not something people can get away with now with the IR35 regulations; but it was certainly very common a few years back.
Lozzin; IR35 regs only allow you to claim tax benefits as a contractor at one site for up to two years; hence this is why contractors will now leave after two years at one site. Nothing to do with company rulings.
Most companies are now only offering money purchase pensions schemes, not any near as beneficial as the old final salary schemes of yester-year. My technical specialistion probably biases me to the contract sector, but even though contracting is not as lucrative as it once was; a vast majority of us still find the extra pay still out-weights the benefit of pension, sick pay and job security.
It is an individual choice which you prefer, contract or permy; also it is something that could be discussed as much as the mod vs integrated is discussed in the pilot sections of this forum. However Lozzin I do suggest you wait another five years and then give me your opinion.
Dodo, accepted some contractors do at some point go permanent, however I have still met a reasonable number that have spent a life time as contractors.
G.E is the only company that enforces a 12 month rule for contractors; literally unheard of in the rest of the industry.
If you know guys at BAe then you will certainly know of long term permy-tractors that have contracted at one site for five years plus; I admit this is not something people can get away with now with the IR35 regulations; but it was certainly very common a few years back.
Lozzin; IR35 regs only allow you to claim tax benefits as a contractor at one site for up to two years; hence this is why contractors will now leave after two years at one site. Nothing to do with company rulings.
Most companies are now only offering money purchase pensions schemes, not any near as beneficial as the old final salary schemes of yester-year. My technical specialistion probably biases me to the contract sector, but even though contracting is not as lucrative as it once was; a vast majority of us still find the extra pay still out-weights the benefit of pension, sick pay and job security.
It is an individual choice which you prefer, contract or permy; also it is something that could be discussed as much as the mod vs integrated is discussed in the pilot sections of this forum. However Lozzin I do suggest you wait another five years and then give me your opinion.
Dodo, accepted some contractors do at some point go permanent, however I have still met a reasonable number that have spent a life time as contractors.
Join Date: May 2004
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In reference to the drift contractor/permanent I have been a connie for 21 years had a permie job once for 14 months left because of the money. I am now head of department for a little known Asian/middle east airline my all in package is in excess of 100K GBP. My contract is based on a permytractor basis.
Join Date: Dec 2008
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...my little bit....
I am (currently) a Design Engineering Manager in a major European A/c company but have been a subbie for the vast majority of my career, so here is my own very personal viewpoint.....
1. Sub-contracting. I have gained a lot of experience, had a lot of variety (aircraft, ships, satellites, airships) and (should have) earned a fair amount of money. I have also been lucky to have some quite responsible positions. In my particular case, I would say that this experience helped very much to get this current position. But.....
....it generally does not lead to a stable family situation and the world is changing, certainly with regards to Airbus and Boeing. They are pushing the rates down and any sub-contracting is more likely to be with their various levels of suppliers who are being tightly squeezed already.
2. With regards to Airbus. It is there intention, and they are well on their way, to become overall aircraft architects and integrators. Their direct involvement in design (structure, systems, etc) will become less. So if you can get in, and it is more difficult at the moment, then the career paths are becoming better developed and more supportive of getting high potential young 'uns in manager and aircraft architect positions quicker. I can't really add anything to the salary discussions going on.
So my recommendation would be....
- if you are interested in engineering design (structures, system installation, stress, etc.) then look to the suppliers (either just design or design and manufacture - GKN, Spirit, etc.) and even consider sub-contracting
- if you are interested in a career with Boeing or Airbus then talk to their HR departments first and look at specialising in one of the following areas...
1. Sub-contracting. I have gained a lot of experience, had a lot of variety (aircraft, ships, satellites, airships) and (should have) earned a fair amount of money. I have also been lucky to have some quite responsible positions. In my particular case, I would say that this experience helped very much to get this current position. But.....
....it generally does not lead to a stable family situation and the world is changing, certainly with regards to Airbus and Boeing. They are pushing the rates down and any sub-contracting is more likely to be with their various levels of suppliers who are being tightly squeezed already.
2. With regards to Airbus. It is there intention, and they are well on their way, to become overall aircraft architects and integrators. Their direct involvement in design (structure, systems, etc) will become less. So if you can get in, and it is more difficult at the moment, then the career paths are becoming better developed and more supportive of getting high potential young 'uns in manager and aircraft architect positions quicker. I can't really add anything to the salary discussions going on.
So my recommendation would be....
- if you are interested in engineering design (structures, system installation, stress, etc.) then look to the suppliers (either just design or design and manufacture - GKN, Spirit, etc.) and even consider sub-contracting
- if you are interested in a career with Boeing or Airbus then talk to their HR departments first and look at specialising in one of the following areas...
- Flight Physics (aero, loads, perfo, etc.)
- Design and development management (configuration, project management, integration, requirements management, etc.)
- Overall aircraft architect (broad knowledge)
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Aerospace Job prospects
Aerospace job prospects remain steady in the US. However, you most likely will need to be a US citizen to take advantage of them as many aerospace companies are government contractors and require special security clearance. One company that has jobs to offer is Northrop Grumman Aerospace Jobs.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Catia without a degree
Can anyone tell me if non degree trained Catia operators are used in the aerospace industry to ammend drawings etc to free up Engineers as they do in the car industry?
I am a maintenance LAME with over 20 yr's experience and looking at learning Catia as I have relatives that contract in the car industry who make drawing changes for engineers.
would be grateful for any feedback
I am a maintenance LAME with over 20 yr's experience and looking at learning Catia as I have relatives that contract in the car industry who make drawing changes for engineers.
would be grateful for any feedback
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Switching career to areospace design
What are the prospects for me if I am trained with CATIA V5 & Ansys WB from an authorized training center? I am from India & have a degree in mech. Currently a maintenance engineer in an Aluminum company fir past 2 & half years, I want switch my career. Will my past experience become completely irrelevant & I have make a fresh start? How much can I expect as a starting salary for an aerospace design engineer?
I would appreciate any kind of advice. It would be great to talk with someone who has any idea regarding the design sector in India.
I would appreciate any kind of advice. It would be great to talk with someone who has any idea regarding the design sector in India.
