I am a software engineer. People don’t believe that they’re real, or say that we’re just computer scientists, but I have my degree is B.E. (hons) or Bachelor of Engineering. My specialty was software. I graduated from Melbourne University in 2000.
Software engineers look at the “processes and design patterns, which are intended to give the best possible product without actually having to think too hard” to quote someone who was having a little bit of a dig today. But he’s right. Any monkey can write code, but a software engineer designs and builds systems, or taking it a step back, designs and builds the framework to design and build systems.
My career path, however, has been somewhat different. I’m a nontechnical techie. I work as a consultant for one of the world’s largest computer hardware vendors. I recently ran the deployment process through from the change management to the design of the technical approach to completely upgrade the backend systems (server and application) of Australia’s largest broadband ISP without the customers noticing.
I reckon I’ve got one of the coolest jobs on earth. I can genuinely say that I help to invent new technology and do things that no one in the world has ever tried before, and pull it off successfully. I am part of the team that builds the infrastructure for the internet for a huge proportion of an entire countries internet access. And we’re really good at it. When we build things, they work. First time, every time.
My project involves R/C model airplanes. There are a few of the traditional wood and plastic film types on the roster, but those are used to train new pilots how to fly. The real ones that pay the freight on the program, models of a Boeing 757 and the Lockheed L-1011, are about 11 feet long, weigh about 500 lbs, and have real turbine engines. They’re also shoved full of electronics, which gets to my piece of the action.
By experience, I’m an embedded software guy, and I’m leading the software development effort for the ground facilities to fly the research models by computer. Scares the hell out of me, because up to now, I’ve been writing and debugging the code…
Oh, to answer the obvious question: Why is NASA playing with model airplanes? The project is to create a research testbed for the development of recovery algorithms for fly-by-wire applications. Remember that airliner that crashed right after 9-11 that had the rudder fall off? We might have been able to get them back on the runway with an application of our research.
That’s cool enough, but my boss also told me that I can expect to be re-tasked next year to the Mars effort.
I work at a “research institute” at a private Midwestern university. But we operate like a regular ‘ol business, in that we submit proposals for commercial and government jobs.
I’m a senior research engineer. I do a little of everything, but primarily I manage small engineering projects. I design electronic stuff (circuit boards, analog and digital circuits, etc.), write code, write test procedures, calibration procedures, system integration, write proposals, etc. etc. etc.
Sorry to be late replying to this thread. Thanks for starting it FCM!
I’m the daughter of a Civil Engineer; my dad taught Civil Engineering for 30-plus years. Out of 5 children, I was the only one to also go into Engineering.
I got married and started a family while I was in college, and that was part of my decision to get a Masters Degree. So, I have a BSCE and MSCE in Civil.
It was during my graduate work that I “fell in love” with hydrology and hydraulics … rainfall, runoff, the behavior of structures in the riverine environment. I was fortunate after graduation to find a home at the Mega Whopper Engineering Co. in their Structures/Hydraulics Department.
For almost 9 years I enjoyed working on flood studies, dam design, stormwater system design, bridge scour analysis … I worked my way up from green E.I.T. to head of the 3 to 4 person Hydraulics Section.
I then took the opportunity to go to work for a nearby municipality as their Senior Drainage Engineer. What an eye–opener that was! The Public Works folks of the world have my utmost respect and deep sympathy. Daily they are asked to do the impossible on a shoe-string budget against constant political pressure.
Two years ago I started my own consulting company. Although I’m currently working part-time for two other consulting firms, I’ts my dream to work for myself exclusively.
I love what I do, and I do what I love … It doesn’t get any better than that. Often misunderstood and overlooked, engineers constantly strive to improve the quality of life for our brothers and sisters on this planent. It’s very fulfilling to be a part of that .
At least engineering is one of those jobs where, even at the bottom of the orgchart, you earn more than most other staff, even if they’ve gone through a number of promotions. I’m a programmer myself, and when my uncle, in true Midwestern, sales-career orient style asked me if I was high in the company, I said to him, with Nashian* bravado, “All programmers are high in any company”.
And just so with engineers, if not more so.
*Ogden or John, take your pick.
I work as a manufacturing engineer for an aforementioned jumbo aircraft manufacturer. I have spent the last three days nonstop doing the requisite planning and drafting and scheduling to authorize the moving of a single screw by one-half inch. And you wonder why they charge $200 million for these puppies…
Don’t get me wrong, I do cool stuff also. This week just isn’t one of those cool times…
I design industrial computers for hazardous locations. More mechanical than anything. We make dumb touchscreen/monitors, thin client, CE, embedded PCs, full-blown Windows, full expansion, rack mount, panel mount, desktop/arm mount, Nema 12 or Nema 4, X- and Z-purge units. Any combination or solution you need. My boss and I will design them for you, from the ground up. If you need a computer INSIDE the actual vessel that refines crude oil… we can do that.
Geeze, come on down and help me maintain my HPLCs, Immunochemistry analyzers and automated spectrophotometers. We have a Hitachi 911 that needs to be cleaned and started up. Or, go to Indy, and get on with Roche as a field service engineer (or some other biomed company that makes clinical analyzers). There’s a lot for you to do out there, but you have to know where to look. In the Derby City, GE has a biomed section that works on just about any kind of biomed equipment you would care to name.
Often misunderstood and overlooked, engineers constantly strive to improve the quality of life for our brothers and sisters on this planent. It’s very fulfilling to be a part of that . 
