Is this fake? The car was driving like 15-20mph. How did it go up the wall? Is this a trick with cables?

Three years ago I posted on this Reddit asking for help for a job. Now I’m 2+ YOE in a heavy design role in the telecom industry. The role has been fun and stressful at times but I genuinely enjoy R&D and engineering.

One thing that has been on my mind recently is the idea of alternative paths that aren’t the traditional 9-5 private sector, for profit company career path. I’ve been getting quite passionate about my skills as a mechanical design engineer but I don’t believe that for the long term I would like to stay in private and work for for-profit companies. I have a pretty heavy stance on staying away from the military industrial complex type of work and while all the products that I have worked on are consumer or enterprise I feel it will slowly become unavoidable to not work on military projects.

I’ve researched and looked at sectors and interesting engineering associations.

Sectors like energy, biomedical, and HVAC seem like easy ways to keep me in R&D/design while staying for-profit.

Engineering 4 change was a cool association that I’ve looked into and applied for the fellowship but they seem to not have a large amount of opportunities outside the fellowship.

I’ve also looked into niche research labs and jobs, for example the National Geographic exploration lab. However it looks like opportunities for these niche and small research labs are few and far between.

I have a lot of energy and passion and I’ve felt for the first time that my skills have an impact and I would like to direct it to something more meaningful than a for-profit private company. I understand I’m asking for something that may not exist and I understand that working on military/defense products aren’t always morally reprehensible but it’s a stance I would like to upkeep.

I was curious if anybody on here has worked/pivoted from working R&D/design in the private, for profit sector and gone heavily into a non-profit or done a lot of engineering for social change as an ME?

Feel free to tell me if I’m being naive or if this path is unobtainable without a significant amount of effort.

Has anyone interviewed for this position and willing to give any insight on how it went. If it’s gonna be a technical interview I’m cooked.

Just started my first internship, and it seems like a lot of full time engineers are making the effort to be personable. Is this something interns should be trying to learn?

I've been working as an industrial refrigeration tech for the last 10 years or so and I've always wanted to move over to the project engineer side of refrigeration. My current job has a flexible enough schedule that it will allow me to also go back to school full time (or close to it). My local community college has an associates in Mechanical Engineering as well as an associates in engineering that is meant to transfer to a 4 year. The mechanical associates doesn't have anything that will really transfer towards the 4 year. I also live close enough to NC State and NC A&T that I could have a quality program (assuming I get accepted). I've already got a bachelor's in Sustainability Management which was essentially project management with a couple environmental classes added in. But it's from one of those all online colleges that my former employer covered.

TLDR; is a decade in the industry and an associate's enough or should I shoot for the bachelor's?

I see people talking about other major aerospace companies. I think Blue Origin is in the same category as SpaceX. Anyone who's worked there knows anything about their culture, stress level, and job security?

Hey all! Quick question for the the MechE community: How employable would someone be with a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. in Chemistry in today’s job market? And from a career perspective, how would you compare that outcome to a career as a medical doctor?

For context, I recently graduated with a bachelor’s in chemistry and a minor in physics on a pre-med track, but I developed a strong interest in mechanical engineering near the end of my degree. I’ve always liked applied physics, so MechE topics like fluid/gas dynamics, acoustics, heat transfer, stress/strain, and FEA simulations really resonated with me.

However, I’ve heard a lot of negative things about the current engineering job market. I also obviously don’t have an engineering bachelor’s degree, and my real-world engineering experience is fairly limited. I did biophysics research in a MechE lab in undergrad, taught myself some CAD and FEA, and assisted with a small engineering startup project, but that’s about it. On the other hand, I’m fully set up to apply to medical school, which offers a much higher end-game income at the cost of many more years of training. I’m interested in more engineering-adjacent medical fields like ophthalmology and aerospace medicine, so I’ve thought about pursuing those career-wise while satisfying my engineering interests through side-projects and research, but I keep coming back to thinking about career paths in fields like ME, AeroE, BME, ChemE, etc.

So, for those who are currently building a career in mechanical engineering or related fields: What are your thoughts? Would a M.S. MechE + B.S. Chemistry be a terrible idea? Am I crazy for even considering it?

Hello! I took on a task of making a camera mount that should be able to rotate at least 45 degrees vertically back and forth, but I was told that I should do it without using a servo. This can be accomplished with some type of gear system, obviously, but my only question is how would I get it to reset to the original angle without a motor. Is that even possible or am I just being dumb? For context, the camera will be mounted to a robot that we will not be able to physically touch while completing its tasks.

Hey Y'all, I graduated this May with my B.S. in MechE. I've been on the job search these last 6 months or so with no bites. Unfortunately, during my time at school I had to work full time throughout. This led to me missing the majority of networking and career fairs so I did not land an interview during my time in school. However, I just got an offer to be a technician with a company that specializes in custom outfitting for emergency rescue vehicles. I would be doing the final assembly, testing and communicating with the engineers to assure the quality before they are shipped out. I would still be searching for an engineering role while working there. Just figured it'd look better on the resume than my current retail work experience.

To add, I am hoping to eventually work as a test engineer, hardware design engineer, or quality engineer. I'm searching mainly in the automotive and transportation industry.

Thanks for any input!

Hey all,

I’m currently a senior graduating in December, and I’m weighing a few options against each other for postgrad and would love input on what would be best for career:

Option 1: Small biotech startup (~20 employees)
Role: Manufacturing Engineer (direct report to VP of Operations)
TC: $92k and equity, negotiable but firm (up to $95k)
Details: Well funded startup by MIT and Georgia Tech grads, looking for someone to oversee automation of manufacturing processes, Design of Experiments, and a bit of device improvement. Revenue making startup (in the green) with Series funding rounds. High personal responsibility and ability to see all sides of the business.

Option 2: Large OEM Automotive Manufacturer (F500, > 100,000 employees)
Role: Rotational Engineering Development Program Engineer
TC: $104.5k, relocation if needed (no negotiation)
Details: Previous intern here, would get to rotate through different groups such as Manufacturing, Design, Operations, and Program Management. Very large company, with a very corporate setting and an ability to move up in the company if cards are played right. Could possibly also offer tuition assistance.

Option 3: Large Power Tool Company ($10B Revenue, ~20,000 employees)
Role: Design and Responsible Engineer
TC: ~$95k (no negotiation)
Details: Company which is a subsidiary of a larger multinational corporation, would get to take the products from concept all the way to production. A lot of responsibility, but a very open learning environment and the ability to grow and work on different products is a distinct possibility.

Location is not a significant factor, and I’m willing to sacrifice initial compensation for making myself a better engineer with more skills.

Any thoughts or questions would be very helpful! Thank you for your time!

I now have 4 YOE and just got a raise and title change. My raise was 6% (3% COL increase + 3% for promotion), and I was definitely a little disappointed. I have received a 3% COL increase each year, and I received a 3% off-cycle raise about 2 years in. Do I have good reason to be disappointed with this, or is this pretty normal?

Received a full time offer for both. Pay is about the same after factoring in cost of living. Where do you think will have the most amount of opportunities and growth?

Hey everyone! I'm graduating in May 2027, and I have my second interview with SpaceX coming up. It's a technical interview, so I'm assuming I'll be speaking with some of the engineers.

I previously interned at Blue Origin, and during my initial phone screen, the recruiter asked me a LOT of questions about my experience there (even though I have more internships), especially my projects. I'm not gonna lie, it made me a little nervous about what to expect during the technical interview.

For anyone who's interviewed with SpaceX, what kind of questions should I expect about my previous projects? How technical do they usually get, and what's the best way to prepare? I know they use engineering foundational, any topics I should review?

I'd really appreciate any advice or insight!

Hi everyone! For context, I’m a BME through and through, but I’ve recently found myself in a ME role where I am doing a whole lot of rapid prototyping and design work. We have a larger project that will need to be injection or urethane molded and I’ve been stumbling through the manufacturability of it. I’d love to know any recommendations for courses or certifications for this application or just design for manufacturing in general. My goal is just to get faster and more confident in my designs (and less revisions ofc)
Thanks!!

Guys i never want to be an engineer and want to do a normal job. I don't like a regular routine. And mechanical was never my interest. I want to be a theoretical physicist. But for that I have to study a lot. I really like to study and personally not have any issues with it. But I need job as soon as possible. So unfortunately I choosed engineering. And mechanical. Cause it seems me better than others. I was thinking will easily compete btech and get a job. But it's very hard to survive. My 1st is completed and i am completely tired up. I can't do it now. I wanna leave it, but can't do it either. And not seeing any chances of job either. Don't have any good hope for future.

Hi, im trying to make a go cart-esk thing. A better word would be mini car. But i digress, i want to base it of the ramp cars from ff6 so yeah would would you all say would be the best way to go about making it?

Since then the goalposts have moved three times. The latest is a new policy capping contract extensions at one year. My manager recommended me for conversion, but that wasn't enough, and now I need to win over a director.
Before the layoff, I worked for a DoD subcontractor on mission systems. I loved that work, but getting back into a similar role has been tough.
Money has been tight ever since. Relocating isn't really on the table. My wife and I have a kid with another on the way, my aging parents live with us, and our whole support system is here. For personal reasons, I'm also not comfortable moving my family somewhere unfamiliar.
I'm getting interviews, but I don't go in with much confidence. It's frustrating to be 35 and still feel like I haven't figured this out. I've started over more times than I'd like.
If you've been in a similar spot, how did you get out of the contract cycle and into something stable? And how did you get your interview confidence back?

Я работаю в сфере образования уже более 10 лет, и основная часть этого времени — педагогом дополнительного образования. Преподаю технические дисциплины, а именно: 3D-моделирование (Компас-3D) и 3D-печать, реверс-инжиниринг (3D-сканирование), ЧПУ-технологии (лазерный СО₂ и трёхосевой фрезерный станок). Ну и куда ж без модного сегодня направления БПЛА! Но мы рассматриваем его со стороны проектирования, сборки, обслуживания, ну и полёты, само собой. Не забываем про микроэлектронику и программирование микроконтроллеров (не сильно силён в этом направлении, но благо нейросети помогают преодолеть этот рубеж). И в целом занимаемся с учениками проектной деятельностью. Кстати, даже одно время занимались мехатроникой (направление интересное, но очень дорогое).

Если подумаете, что как-то много направлений для одного преподавателя, то на самом деле эти дисциплины смежные. Если поглубже разобраться в одном, то в другом не составит особого труда.

А вишенка на торте — всё это бесплатно!

В общем, ученики собрали себе 3D-принтеры, полотер, умные устройства, носимые устройства — короче, всё, на что хватает фантазии. И на вопрос со стороны: «А зачем?» — они отвечали: «Потому что могу и хочу».

Работал я эти годы с большим удовольствием! Во-первых, потому что во всех учреждениях, в которых я работал, были директора, заинтересованные в развитии технических направлений. А во-вторых, я с душой отдавался своему делу. Прийти пораньше и уйти попозже для меня не составляло труда (жена первое время смотрела на меня косо, но потом свыклась. Лучшая!).

Я знакомил детей с техническими дисциплинами, и условие было одно: пока я нахожусь на работе, можно приходить и заниматься. Я прекрасно понимаю, насколько сегодня загружены дети: репетиторы, онлайн-школы, спорт, домашние дела и т.д. Ну и на себя любимого тоже время надо выделять!

А некоторые из них, в свою очередь, погружались в те или иные направления даже глубже меня, тем самым превосходя мои знания. Это невероятное чувство, когда твой ученик на твоих глазах превосходит тебя! И вот уже ты сам спрашиваешь у него совета, обращаешься за помощью или просишь помочь другому ученику разобраться с возникшей задачкой. А меня самого это, конечно, подстёгивало расширять свои знания. Даже были ученики которые ходили на занятия ради «вайба» и общения.

В конкурсах, естественно, участвовали, много побеждали на различных уровнях. В учениках я даже не сомневался, потому что они свои проекты делали сами, своими руками и головой. Я был лишь наставником, куратором, критиком, ну и иногда приходилось быть скептиком.

Чуть не забыл! Оборудование всё покупалось и пополнялось на деньги грантов, на которые мы с моим руководителем писали заявки и благополучно выигрывали. Так что оборудования завались! Расходники и всякую мелочёвку, к сожалению, покупали самостоятельно, потому что заложить деньги на расходные материалы в бюджет — это прямо огромная проблема (AliExpress — лучший друг).

Ученики, которые выпустились из школы, до сих пор иногда забегают в гости чай попить. Это просто невероятные эмоции — видеть их, слышать рассказы об их успехах, возмущениях, и том, что они скучают по кабинету. И это при том, что некоторые учатся на гуманитарных специальностях. Со временем, конечно, перестают заходить. Обид естественно никаких нету, жизнь такая штука.

В общем, работал я с распахнутой душой, не жалея сил, и счастливый бежал на работу (как бессмертный пони).

Но наступил 2026 год.

Откуда-то очень сверху сказали, что надо бы сократить бюджеты, а именно — убрать дополнительное образование из школ. Потому что есть же различные центры дополнительного образования, вот пусть они и занимаются этим.

Хотя на самом деле таких учреждений довольно-таки мало, а где-то их вовсе нет. Ну и с зарплатами там не густо. Да и оборудование для технических дисциплин, если оно есть, такое, что плакать хочется. Потому что им напихали по всяким приказам, указам и программам свыше всякое г… , которое даже на Авито никому не нужно. Но зато, зато красиво всё представили и рассказали везде!

Да ещё и работоспособность этого оборудования под вопросом. Танцы с бубном даже не всегда помогают.

Но зато на платной основе в школах можете хоть с десяток направлений вести. Но, насколько я знаю, в центрах дополнительного образования тоже бюджеты порезали, а количество бюджетных мест ограничено. Ну и, конечно, на платной основе кружки можно вводить в каком угодно количестве, не стесняясь.

А уж о количестве педагогов с достаточным уровнем знаний и умений для преподавания подобных технических направлений даже говорить не хочется. Как правило, внутри регионов все друг с другом знакомы. И каждый раз, когда мы видимся на мероприятиях, нас становится всё меньше.

В целом вопросов много.

Где денег-то взять родителям столько? А как детям развиваться и познавать новое? А как же слова про раннюю профориентацию? Слова про доступность технологических кружков и секций? И так далее.

Кто бы ответил на все эти вопросы? Да и хотим ли мы услышать этот изворотливый и неоднозначный ответ, который породит ещё больше вопросов, но в итоге так и не решит проблему? Думаю, что нет. Легче и лучше от этого не станет, и мы, к сожалению, это знаем.

Не знаю, как закончить, потому что много есть чего сказать, но надо вовремя остановиться.

Пошёл поищу вакансии на всякий случай. Пока что директор пытается отстоять дополнительное образование, но думаю, что это вопрос времени.

И да, я не один такой педагог дополнительного образования. Нас таких мало, но мы есть. С теплотой вспоминаю специалистов, которые, к сожалению, покинули сферу образования. И мы рады были делать то, что делали, но, видимо, настало время прощаться с ребятами.

**P.S.** Нейронка помогла с орфографией и пунктуацией, да, плох я в этом 😅 А это просто оставлю здесь:**

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I have completed a design internship at an automotive supplier, but I didn’t enjoy it much. I’m more interested in strategy, planning, and management. I have always like my manufacturing subject and want to explore a career in production engineering. What skills should I learn to pursue this path? My current skill set includes CATIA V5, AutoCAD, engineering drawing, GD&T, and manufacturing processes.

Want to higher a design to put a seat and adjust tilt table on the rear cargo area of the tricycle.

Need design to commission fabrication of mount for set and table

Hello! I'm a sophomore in college getting my bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in computer science, and I have no idea what jobs will look like, application-wise.

I want to be a design engineer in the entertainment/theme park world, working on small mechanisms or mechanical programming, or such. The issue is that I don't know how and what I'll need to apply from my coursework to my career. I want to prepare for the workforce and know if I'm pursuing something that matches up with my expectations.

If anyone also has any advice on what I should be studying/working on outside of my coursework, that would be so awesome and cool. I can also repost this elsewhere if this isn't relevant to this subreddit.

Thank you!

Each wheel houses large carbon-fiber cantilever beam springs mounted parallel to the wheel plane, each connected by a cable to a fixed variable-diameter oval profile at the hub; during braking, the wheel's rotation drives a planetary gear reducer that tensions all four springs simultaneously while a ratcheting mechanism locks them in place, storing energy mechanically; when the rider triggers the boost, the ratchet releases and the cables pull through the oval profile, starting at its smallest diameter to deliver maximum torque for launch and transitioning to larger diameters as spring force declines, transmitting energy directly to the wheel axle as an instant, purely mechanical torque pulse.

I don't know the ideal design of the springs nor the whole mechanism but I did a simple (and rough) sketch of a spring that seems better than a basic cantilever beam spring for this application