Sara Hodon

 

 

JOBS SPAN ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers with this background are able to touch down in a variety of job sectors, from manufacturing to aerospace to transportation and defense.

 

Read on as mechanical engineers at work for BnSF railway, Huntington-Ingalls Industries, ManTech International, and Southwest airlines describe the work they do.

 

BNSF RAILWAY: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

According to the U. S. Department of Transportation, demand for rail freight service will continue to rise. American companies continue to rely on railroads to keep business moving— transporting goods of virtually every description, for every industry, from place to place quickly and efficiently. No other form of ground transportation can move the sheer volume of goods and products to the global marketplace as efficiently and safely as freight rail does.

 

As superintendent of field operations for BNSF Railway, Sherwin Hudson keeps those goods moving. He manages a territory that covers parts of five different states and is responsible for the availability of rolling stock, overseeing approximately 500,000 cars that traverse the country from coast to coast.

 

A native of Beaumont, TX, who now calls Chicago home, Hudson earned a BS in industrial engineering from Lamar University and went on to earn his master’s in industrial engineering from Arizona State. After graduation, he was hired as part of the college grad in training (CGIT) program with Packard Electric, a division of GM.

 

“I was the 1st line supervisor on second shift. We built engine wiring harnesses for the Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird,” he explains. One the job for 18 months, he was then promoted to electrical systems champion at GM’s Design for Manufacturability Knowledge Center in Warren, MI. One of the first les sons he learned (and one that he finds especially valuable in his current role) is that employees are the key to any company’s success.

 

“Treat employees with dignity and respect, and your employees and teams will be more successful,” he says. Much of Hudson’s own success can be traced back to supportive managers. “I’ve been lucky—my managers have always encouraged me,” he says. “They’ve always given me stretch as signments that have challenged me. It’s very important for new engineers to look out and see what the growth opportunities might be. Managers should encourage that—it gives the employee confidence.”

 

BNSF Railway is one of North Amer ica’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and three Canadian provinces. The company is a top transporter of consumer goods, grain, and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, and food and beverages. In 2013, BNSF hauled more than 900,000 carloads of agricultural commodities, and a record five million intermodal shipments (truck trailers or containers) were transported on BNSF’s rail lines instead of on the nation’s congested highways.

 

With BNSF for nearly nine years, Hudson manages three locomotive shops on the freight side, oversees the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of the cars, and responds to issues on the main rail line—as well as overseeing the rail cars. Additionally, he manages approximately 700 employees. “My interactions with people keep me coming to work every day. It’s a great opportunity to manage a group that’s responsible for problem solving,” he admits.

 

Working for a rail company like BNSF opens invaluable doors and provides countless chances for networking and building relationships. “At BNSF we understand that we have tremendous opportunities to meet the customer’s expectations,” he says. “New hires will be connected to the world. There is a lot of personal and professional growth. Rail is an integral part of the U.S.’ economic recovery and our global economy. The industry is in a growth period, and we’re in a position to grow the company.”

 

The key for job seekers, Hudson says, is staying open-minded. “You want to look for a company that gives you the ability to add skills to your toolkit,” he says. “And wherever you go, be willing to embrace opportunities.”

 

HUNTINGTON-INGALLS INDUSTRIES: BUILDING THE SHIPS THAT DEFEND OUR SEAS

The military relies on a diverse fleet of vehicles to carry out its various missions on land, air, and sea. In fact, government defense contracts comprise a large percentage of the United States’ shipbuilding industry. These complex, sophisticated nuclear- and conventionallypowered ships require the expertise of mechanical engineers for their design and construction.

 

Just ask Diana Piggot, life cycle manager with Huntington-Ingalls Industries (or HII, formerly Newport News Shipbuilding). Born in San Diego, and raised in Norfolk, VA, Piggot’s father, a retired submariner who worked for Ingalls Shipbuilding as a second career, was a big influence. “In my teenage years, my father used to take me to work for father-daughter day and I was exposed to a technical field that was about teamwork,” Piggot explains. “Also, NASA was still very active and I thought the teamwork in the control room was exactly where I wanted to be. Yes, I wanted to press the big red button to launch shuttles.”

 

Piggot’s interests and aptitudes led to a BS in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University and a MS in systems management from Florida Institute of Technology. “The BS gave me exposure to various subjects and trained my mind for problem solving. The work was very hard, but I know that it was practice for the critical thinking skills that I use now. The MS refined my perception of working in a group or in a business. It provided guidance on management skills and economics, which are integrated into every business,” she explains.

 

With HII for six and a half years, Piggot is part of a team of lifecycle managers for propulsion fluid systems for the CVN 68 class carriers. “We are an engineering agent for NAVSEA,” she says. “We control configuration across the ten ships and respond to class issues. This involves design and liaison responsibilities. I manage the propulsion lube oil system along with my senior engineer.”

 

HII designs, builds, and manages the lifecycle of the most complex nuclear- and conventionally-powered ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. The company also provides engineering and project management services expertise to the commercial energy industry, the Department of Energy, and other government customers.

 

The ability to work well with others is important to any engineering project, but particularly when you regularly work in a team atmosphere. Fortunately, Piggot says, her co-workers are one of the best parts of the job. “I like the people and the purpose most. My peers and management are very engaged. We have a great culture based on trust. We support each other toward the common goal of preserving the safety and quality of the sailor’s life.”

 

Working on such detail-oriented projects comes with its set of challenges. The propulsion plants consist of many complex systems and designs. “My biggest challenges stem from not knowing needed information and seeking the right person for assistance,” she says. “The carrier world is large as it extends among all the shipyards, the Navy, NAVSEA, contractors, and vendors. When so many resources are involved I have to remind myself to thoroughly listen to each person because I could rush over pertinent information. On the other hand, because I have made so many connections, it can be overwhelming to manage many requests and maintain balance in my workload.”

 

Diverse opportunities, both in engineering and other departments, and the encouragement employees receive from managers, are ever-present at the company. “HII is not just a company, it’s a community. Any position I could dream of exists somewhere at HII. I believe most managers care about having the right person for the right job and will work with a new graduate in career development, even if it means going to a different department,” she says. “One supervisor told me that she didn’t consider a transfer a loss. It’s when the knowledge and potential leave the company that there is a loss.”

 

The company is a great place to establish a career and figure out both short- and long-term goals. “I think this is the perfect place to figure out what my strengths are and how to apply them. The company and my management have supported managerial and technical training to prepare me for leadership roles. In addition to supporting the fleet, I am also motivated by my work family. My coworkers are very supportive and considerate,” she notes.

 

Engineering is more than just facts and figures, Piggot says. It’s about identifying solutions to problems and communicating with clients, co-workers, and, at times, the public at large. “As an engineer, it is our duty to challenge and to speak up. Hesitation and silence means no action is being taken and no ideas are being shared,” she says.

 

It’s an exciting time to be an engineer, and an increasingly diverse workforce brings new perspectives that are taking the field to a new level. “I work with more women today than were in my graduating class,” Piggot says. “To me this indicates a good change. I wholeheartedly believe that diversity improves a company’s chances in finding the right person for the job. The culmination of cultural experience is a strength that we all need to encourage.”

 

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: WHERE FUTURES TAKE FLIGHT

A lifelong interest in aviation and learning how things work inspired Warren Johnson’s professional path. “As I went through school and learned more about engineering, I found out that I had a ‘knack’ for it,” he says. His aptitude and interest in the inner workings of machinery led to a pretty clear decision to pursue mechanical engineering.

 

A native of League City, TX, Johnson earned a BS in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2013. He completed an internship as a service engineer with Continental Airlines in college, which gave him valuable real world experience in the field. “A lot of people don’t realize that there are engineers at most major airlines—they only think of mechanics,” he says, adding that engineers play an important role in airplane maintenance and safety. “It’s great to work on something that’s already built.”

 

Following graduation, Johnson relocated to San Francisco, where he was hired as a contract employee doing technical writing for United Airlines. “The contract positions were used as a ‘hold’ for those they thought would be good as full-time employees,” he explains. “Unfortunately the full-time position didn’t work out, so I explored other opportunities.” In August 2013, Johnson relocated again, this time to Dallas, when he started his current position as staff engineer in aircraft systems engineering with the technical operations division of Southwest Airlines.

 

Johnson’s role in flight safety may not be as obvious as the pilot’s or the flight crew’s, but it’s no less important. Southwest operates a fleet of four different Boeing 737 aircraft—the -300, -500, -700, and -800; Johnson works on all of them. “I am the subject matter expert on cabin A/C, cabin pressurization, and I’m responsible for the aircraft’s fire protection,” he says. He is part of a systems team that consists of five engineers and a manager.

 

Johnson’s love of aviation remains strong as ever, and now that he works behind the scenes, he has developed a new appreciation for the industry. “I can really effect change in my job,” he says. “Although, sometimes gathering data for a project can turn into a project all its own. But if I don’t do my job, planes are grounded, passengers are upset, and revenue is lost.”

 

Southwest and wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways operate more than 3,400 flights a day, serving 93 destinations across the United States and five additional countries. Subject to government approvals, service to San Jose, Costa Rica, begins in March, and service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins in June 2015. Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.

 

Time management and prioritization are critical for Johnson, especially since pressing issues can arise at any time and take precedence over other projects. “We will have several continuous improvement projects going on at the same time, which can be a challenge,” Johnson says. “If a service engineer runs into a problem, they will come to me, and then I’ll have to help find a solution for that problem, so other projects go on the back burner. Effective time and resource management is really key.”

 

The corporate culture at Southwest Airlines is great for both new hires and those new to the overall workforce, especially since professional growth is encouraged from the start. “The company is very welcoming to new talent,” Johnson says. “There are a lot of development opportunities here—even if you want to take a training that’s not directly related to your job, you’re encouraged to take advantage.”

 

Case in point—Johnson recently attended courses for Lean, Six Sigma, and Green Belt certifications.

 

Employers can provide new hires with the tools and skills they need to do their day-to-day responsibilities, but there are a few traits engineers should have when they walk through any employer’s door. “Having a clear thought process and analytical mindset is important,” Johnson stresses. “The math and theory that you learned in school—that information can be researched. You really want to have good people skills and be open-minded. You may have to work with people from different backgrounds. Work on your people skills—they’re the transferable skills that will help you anywhere in life.”

 

Johnson’s career with Southwest is off to a strong start. “Southwest has given me a good balance of being needed, but there’s not so much pressure that I’ll crack,” he says. “I’m also lucky to work with a really good team. Southwest is just a good place to grow.”

 

MANTECH: DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN DEFENSE

Nnamdi Sandidge, senior mechanical engineer with ManTech, works closely with a number of government agencies and can attest to the fact that, in many ways, there has never been a better time to be an engineer.

 

Sandidge earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering—a bachelor’s of science from University of Maryland Baltimore County and a master’s of science from the University of Michigan. “Of the fields requiring a strong mathematics background, mechanical engineering was the best fit. It’s also the most diverse of the engineering fields,” he says.

 

“If I had been able to see into the future during college, I would have chosen to pursue either mathematics or computer science, based on the state of today’s technology,” Sandidge adds. With the engineering field’s dependency on technology, the higher an engineer’s comfort level with its rapidly changing pace, the better.

 

Although Sandidge was clear on his professional field, as a new graduate the amount of career possibilities within that field was a bit overwhelming. “Since mechanical engineering is such a diverse field, I was not exactly sure what I wanted to do with it immediately after graduating,” he admits. “However, I was lucky enough to find a rotational job program for new graduates at a large Department of Defense (DoD) contractor. The program entailed working in various positions, each about four to six months in duration, for a total of approximately two years. Upon completion, I chose to work as a manufacturing engineer for the next four years.”

 

In his current position with ManTech since 2012, Sandidge provides operational support to government customers, while working with a diverse group of other subject-matter experts (SMEs). “Specifically, I am a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) SME for various combatant commands and other government agencies,” he says. “Further, I conduct independent scientific and technical analyses of collect ed data with limited supervision; use intelligence assessments to convey CBRNE WMD-related risks to senior decision makers; and liaison with other government agencies and research organizations to prepare CBRNE/intelligence reports.”

 

ManTech is a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs for the intelligence community; the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, Energy and Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the health and space communities; and other U.S. federal government customers. The company provides support to critical national security programs for approximately 50 federal agencies through approximately 1,000 current contracts. ManTech supports major national missions, such as military readiness and wellness, terrorist threat detection, information security, and border protection.

 

Because of the sophisticated nature of some of Sandidge’s projects, a healthy dose of creativity is necessary to balance the hard data. “Since technology is always changing, there is always something new to learn that will either improve a current idea or prompt you to think of an innovative solution to a problem,” he says.

 

But it’s not just technology—regular or semi-regular collaboration with other team members, either face-to-face or virtually, can often bring positive results. Working with others is one of Sandidge’s favorite parts of the job. “I enjoy working with groups of people from different backgrounds—many with PhDs and military experience—to solve real-world problems,” he says.

 

The biggest challenge often arises from situations that are out of Sandidge’s control. “As a contractor working on site, the primary challenge I face is not being able to make changes to certain processes due to politics or lack of funding,” he says. In these situations, the ability to adapt to unexpected issues and changing circumstances is invaluable. In fact, these skills can serve you well in virtually any phase of your career.

 

“I would encourage a new engineer to not be afraid to step outside of his/her comfort zone. It may lead to a more interesting opportunity,” Sandidge says. “An engineering degree is a great foundation for many different fields, so remain open to learning more.”