Starting a career in composite design and manufacturing

[Jreyenga]

When I graduated with me BSME 6 months ago, the stressful situation of entering the real world led me to settle on a job that is nothing more than a job. What I would like to do is to break into a career in composite structure design and manufacturing.

The two main options I have been entertaining are continuing my education with a masters related to composites work, or working in the industry intially as a fabricator. The former probably represents greater pay down the road, but the later would help me stay grounded in the reality of design and manufacture of composites.

I would be glad to hear what those that have made it in this industry think. A large part of my motivation is my motorsports background, but any situation where I can use my intelligence and creativity would be rewarding.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[MechanicalChef]

I would say finding a career in aerospace would probably be the best way to immediatly get involved in composite structure design/analysis/tooling/manufacturing. I too am 6 months out of school, and essentially fell into my career with only a two semesters worth of composite layup, part fab, and anaylsis.

I wound up at Spirit AeroSystems.

 

[Qshake]

You should really get a master's if you want to do design work with composites.

That said, there are plenty of folks in the composite industry such as boats, racing cars, skis etc that probably are more hands on as opposed to theoretical.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[SWComposites]

To look for non-aerospace composites companies, try acmanet.org

You should be able to find an engineering job related to composites; I don't advise a shop type fabrication job as it may make it difficult to move back into engineering. Getting a master's is a good idea (but not absolutely required) if you have the time and $.

Where are you located? What type/size companies are you interested in?

 

[Jreyenga]

I'm in Greenville, SC, but location isn't a priority. If I found something near Atlanta that would be ideal, but I've been talking to people as far as Oregon over the last month or two.

I would not say I hate my job, but I do not enjoy it. My interest is to be involved in performance driven design, which anything being built by high performance composites usually is. I am not interested in industrial FRP vessel design. Motorsports related would be ideal, but not necessary.

I prefer working for a small company for many reasons, but the resources available in a large company certainly can be attractive.

Thanks for the feedback thus far.

 

[Qshake]

Isn't Martin Marietta in Georgia....they have an advanced materials division.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[YoungTurk]

I guess the question is do you want to do design, or manufacturing? Given you have a degree, the masters route would be logical and probably wise. Right after I graduated, though, I couldn't stand the thought of going back to school.

Should you decide on the latter option, here is something in your region:

http://www.resumeware.net/gac_rw/ga...&totalrecs=2&start=1&pagestart=1&reqnum=10682

 

[RPstress]

If you go straight into industry with a basic degree you may not be able to get a truly interesting job. With a higher degree you should be able to get into R&D, which will be far more interesting. Having said that, if you work in a smaller company it can be good.

Getting a job in motorsports is very hard in Europe. I don't know about the US. Generally a lot of people want to work in motorsport, so the companies get the pick of the crop.

 

[PanelGuy]

Look to the racing companies in your area. It would be a blast. You would be required to fab and design in a very demanding field. I know for a fact that Joe Gibbs racing does a lot of that kind of stuff. As well, there are a few spin off companies associated with them that are pretty cool.

I started out at a canoe company while I went to school. At Winona State in Minnesota we have the ONLY ABET accredited undegrad program in composites in the world. it is very cool. Lots of places to work etc. It certainly could jump you down the line. The best for a lot of places is to be strong in fab knowledge and well grounded in stics and strengths, the rest is easily learned....trust me.

I have been through all of this before.

Good Luck!!

 

[JakeLiv]

I've begun my career in composites, mostly tooling design. this has been before and while studying. You should spend time on the floor, learning how those things are made, while using your acadmic background for better understanding.
Since I'm more into structural design and analysis, I moved on to a good position in a different firm, but I still work on composites, though now it's more analysis.

There are many aspects to composites, but learning how the stuff is made, especially with wet and prepreg layups, and how the tooling is designed, and the effects of warping, springback and so forth can only be combined by spending a lot of time on the floor.

and a master's degree would be nice, I intend to do it, but it doesn't give you the practical skills and knowledge you'll need for work.