Aircraft Design Position/Aerodynamicist Job

[angryneighbor]

I have a complicated career question and would appreciate any advice on what to do.

I'm trying to obtain the position of aircraft designer/aeronautical engineer/aerodynamicist. I'm not super picky about the size of the company as long as I obtain that role. I've been working for two years so far, first at a small contracting office that handled last minute detail design work (essentially touching up drawings) and then for a major UAV manufacturer. I was laid off from the UAV manufacturer and have had difficulty obtaining a lot of interviews for my desired position. I currently work as a test engineer.

Education wise I hold a master's degree in Aerospace engineering that was mostly concentrated in control theory with some aerodynamics classes. I also hold an undergrad in mechanical engineering. Both degrees are from large state schools.

I have heard so many different opinions on how to get a job that concentrates on aerodynamics and aircraft design. I have heard that connections are very important. That leads me to believe I simply need to know the right person and I can get the right interview.

Of the few interviews I have had, the people I meet who work in these jobs generally have graduate degrees concentrated in those topics.

My question for you all is if I need the highly concentrated education to get one of these jobs. I'm very familiar with how much competition I have and how sought after these positions are among those who study aeronautics. Most engineers dream of designing vehicles from scratch. I read papers on aerodynamics and designing new aircraft constantly. I also meet tons of people who do not even hold engineering degrees who work as engineers.

Going back to school in any fashion is going to be very expensive and will take a lot of time. I have investigated classes or entire programs but I will have to quit my current job and move first.

I'm also designing my own highly optimized RC plane and plan on launching a video with it flying when it is completed. I'm also going to document the entire design/build process and launch it on the same website. I'm not sure how much credit doing this entirely on my own gives me.

Any feedback anyone can give me is very appreciated. Thank you

 

[KENAT]

How broadly have you been applying?

As well as the UAV companies and the big aero companies there are lots of other places an aero person might work.

Mojave has a number of employers might be worth checking on.

Also look at things other than UAV's & aircraft. For instance military 'single use airframes' also require aero folk. As can govt agencies places like China Lake, Point Mugu & Edwards - check USA jobs website.

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[ctopher]

Aerospace engineering is somewhat of a broad field. Have you specialized in a certain area? FEA, design, aero, etc.
Depending where you are located, the aerospace jobs are somewhat "pocketed" together in certain states here in the USA.

Chris, CSWP
SolidWorks '16
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[IRstuff]

While there are lots of UAV and other aircraft companies, I'm not sure there are that many design jobs. Turnover is probably low, and design iterations probably aren't that common. Are you being too specific in your job search? Have you tailored your resumes and cover letters for each company? Have you had someone review your resume?

TTFN
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[angryneighbor]

Thank you all for the replies.

My question was more along the lines if I need to go back to school and get a graduate degree and/or take courses that specialize in aerodynamics in order to get noticed for an aerodynamics and aircraft design job.

Or, would working on designing an RC aircraft in my own time be a better use of my resources?

My graduate degree is specialized in control theory (non-thesis) and I feel that is my handicap. I think that hiring managers are passing up on my resume because I didn't write a thesis centering around a wind tunnel.

The sorts of jobs I'm looking into are the following:

-Wind tunnel model testing and analysis
-Drawing the OML of new aircraft
-Configuration and aircraft design

I apply to about 50 of these jobs and get no interviews. I've only had two interviews I can think of that are any of these roles. Rewriting your resume for a wind tunnel job is difficult when you don't have a ton of experience with it. I have tried to rewrite my resume multiple times.

If you guys think that this is simply a matter of writing a better resume and cover letter then that is what I will aim for.

The underlying question here is how important is education for a job that has a lot of competition?

 

[SWComposites]

Yes, you probably need some aero and aircraft config/design courses to be considered; maybe not a full degree since you already have a masters.

Network, network, network. Join AIAA. Go to local section meetings. Go to national conferences.

The aerospace industry is not doing that great right. Big OEMs are downsizing. There are not that many true aero/aircraft design positions. It will be tough.

 

[GregLocock]

Of your three preferred positions only the first would be considered a noobs job, I suggest.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[Panther140]

angryneighbor, you are sending out a generic resume.

Pick 2 or 3 positions that you would love to do and also have a chance at getting.

You should be reconstructing your resume for each position. Researching the position. Writing a brand new unique cover letter for each position. Every interview I have gotten was prompted by a resume which took me at least 8 hours to engineer.

Engineer your resume for the position.

"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin