Aviation to Motorsport - Career change
Discussion
I'm after some advice from people who have made the jump from aviation to the motorsport industry either as technicians or engineers. I currently work as a mechanical aircraft technician in a supervisory capacity and have a broad range of mechanical skills. I have (12 years) comprehensive knowledge of mechanical aircraft systems, excellent problem solving abilities and currently studying for a HNC/D in engineering, but are my skills transferable?
Research, development and testing are areas that interest me and get the juices flowing! Never one for being content, always looking to improve methodology, working practices and enjoy problem solving.
I'm looking for a company who demonstrates engineering excellence, leads their industry, and has a strong vision of future projects. McLaren and Prodrive are names I have currently short-listed. Are there any more automotive companies that heavily invest into research and development and have potential employment enquiries?
Finally is there anything I can do or put on my CV that would draw the attention of an automotive employer that would sway them to employ me, rather than someone that is already in the industry.
For example, I have a motorcycle in bits on the garage floor waiting for funds to be race prepped for track days and club-man racing (hopefully!) In a bizarre way this is my own R&D and testing project trying to get the old clapped out bike competitive again, although I suspect it'll be the rider that lets it down!
Any information gratefully received.
Research, development and testing are areas that interest me and get the juices flowing! Never one for being content, always looking to improve methodology, working practices and enjoy problem solving.
I'm looking for a company who demonstrates engineering excellence, leads their industry, and has a strong vision of future projects. McLaren and Prodrive are names I have currently short-listed. Are there any more automotive companies that heavily invest into research and development and have potential employment enquiries?
Finally is there anything I can do or put on my CV that would draw the attention of an automotive employer that would sway them to employ me, rather than someone that is already in the industry.
For example, I have a motorcycle in bits on the garage floor waiting for funds to be race prepped for track days and club-man racing (hopefully!) In a bizarre way this is my own R&D and testing project trying to get the old clapped out bike competitive again, although I suspect it'll be the rider that lets it down!
Any information gratefully received.
mgroadster said:
Don't these sort of top flight race companies pluck their staff from motorsport degree graduate engineers?(When I say that there is a degree course somewhere that is all about advanced automotive engineering or something of that ilk)
Not necessarily - I work in motorsport, and have a motorsport engineering degree, but there is a whole mix of physics, maths, aerodynamics, and aerospace graduates here. I would go as far as saying that aerospace is actually quite desirable for some motorsport employers, but you need to show you can apply it to something a bit different.OP - your skills sound transferable but I am worried you lack the sort of top-notch qualifications that someone like McLaren would want. However, qualifications aren't everything. Certainly you sound like you have the experience to easily pick up an R&D technician role, or something similar, but I wouldn't know how they'd feel about your level of qualifications.
Edited by RenesisEvo on Thursday 21st July 08:47
RenesisEvo said:
Not necessarily - I work in motorsport, and have a motorsport engineering degree, but there is a whole mix of physics, maths, aerodynamics, and aerospace graduates here. I would go as far as saying that aerospace is actually quite desirable for some motorsport employers, but you need to show you can apply it to something a bit different.
OP - your skills sound transferable but I am worried you lack the sort of top-notch qualifications that someone like McLaren would want. However, qualifications aren't everything. Certainly you sound like you have the experience to easily pick up an R&D technician role, or something similar, but I wouldn't know how they'd feel about your level of qualifications.
I am educated to NVQ Level 3 and realise its needs to be improved upon to leave the technician level and reach engineer status. I've sought to address my weakness and started a distance learning HNC/D and on successful completion would be looking to top up to degree level. OP - your skills sound transferable but I am worried you lack the sort of top-notch qualifications that someone like McLaren would want. However, qualifications aren't everything. Certainly you sound like you have the experience to easily pick up an R&D technician role, or something similar, but I wouldn't know how they'd feel about your level of qualifications.
Edited by RenesisEvo on Thursday 21st July 08:47
I feel if I can get a job as technician in R&D, stepping up to engineer having had hands on experience in the role and completed a degree by distance learning/OU would be a more logical approach, rather than gaining the qualifications and going in cold as an engineer with no experience.
The reason I haven't looked to further my qualifications previously was my career was mapped out for me (HM Forces), and to progress all that was needed was enthusiasm, willingness to learn and determination to reach the top coupled with a high degree of skill. I still have this ambition but want to live in an area for more than 5 years and spend more time in the UK with my family.
TSCfree said:
I am educated to NVQ Level 3 and realise its needs to be improved upon to leave the technician level and reach engineer status. I've sought to address my weakness and started a distance learning HNC/D and on successful completion would be looking to top up to degree level.
I feel if I can get a job as technician in R&D, stepping up to engineer having had hands on experience in the role and completed a degree by distance learning/OU would be a more logical approach, rather than gaining the qualifications and going in cold as an engineer with no experience.
That seems like a solid, feasible approach to me - best of luck with it!I feel if I can get a job as technician in R&D, stepping up to engineer having had hands on experience in the role and completed a degree by distance learning/OU would be a more logical approach, rather than gaining the qualifications and going in cold as an engineer with no experience.
TSCfree said:
to progress all that was needed was enthusiasm, willingness to learn and determination to reach the top coupled with a high degree of skill.
and a SNCO who writes good assessments, a posting somewhere that doesn't get overlooked, a winning ticket in the promotion lottery, to not be high enough on the PSL in the same year that promotion is frozed due to SDSR, a telepathic knowledge of what the promotion board are looking for this year because it sure as hell won't be the same things as last year. Either that, or go for a commission.
Cheers RenesisEvo.
VeeTec,
, It seems like that sometimes eh!
I've thought long and hard about a commission, and whilst I know I could do my JEngO's job stood on my head I don't really consider them as engineers. They may have the qualifications but in reality they are just engineering managers, and I would still want to have a hands on approach. The other reason is they get posted every 2 years and a change in circumstances means I'm after a more settled lifestyle.
VeeTec,
, It seems like that sometimes eh!I've thought long and hard about a commission, and whilst I know I could do my JEngO's job stood on my head I don't really consider them as engineers. They may have the qualifications but in reality they are just engineering managers, and I would still want to have a hands on approach. The other reason is they get posted every 2 years and a change in circumstances means I'm after a more settled lifestyle.
Edited by TSCfree on Friday 22 July 09:45
VeeTEC said:
and a SNCO who writes good assessments, a posting somewhere that doesn't get overlooked, a winning ticket in the promotion lottery, to not be high enough on the PSL in the same year that promotion is frozed due to SDSR, a telepathic knowledge of what the promotion board are looking for this year because it sure as hell won't be the same things as last year.
Either that, or go for a commission.
I work in motorsport but what does SNCO, PSL or SDSR all mean! If you want to get into motorsport don't talk or write in intials as no one will understand what you want,Either that, or go for a commission.
I think the idea of going in as a technician and working your way up from there into an engineering position would be your best bet as you will be up against plenty of bright young things staright out of finishing a top notch aero degree.
Edited by marine boy on Saturday 23 July 10:41
TSCfree said:
Cheers RenesisEvo.
VeeTec,, It seems like that sometimes eh!
I've thought long and hard about a commission, and whilst I know I could do my JEngO's job stood on my head I don't really consider them as engineers. They may have the qualifications but in reality they are just engineering managers, and I would still want to have a hands on approach. The other reason is they get posted every 2 years and a change in circumstances means I'm after a more settled lifestyle.
That's pretty much my stance on commissioning. I've got my life sorted now and am settled in my house. I'm not moving every 2 years. But yes, a JEngO's job is a piece of piss.VeeTec,
, It seems like that sometimes eh!I've thought long and hard about a commission, and whilst I know I could do my JEngO's job stood on my head I don't really consider them as engineers. They may have the qualifications but in reality they are just engineering managers, and I would still want to have a hands on approach. The other reason is they get posted every 2 years and a change in circumstances means I'm after a more settled lifestyle.
Edited by TSCfree on Friday 22 July 09:45
marine boy,
SNCO - senior non commissioned officer (Sergeant)
PSL - promotion selection list
SDSR - strategic defence and security review - the governments attempts at cutting the defence budget.
It's all RAF (Royal Air Force
) talk. We "love" a TLA (three letter acronym. I somehow managed to get a MEng in Automotive Engineering but have ended up going away from the engineering side of things, however many of my mates have gone into R&D with various places.
Your qualifications look to be a good starting point, and many employers will actively look for someone who's still challenging themselves and looking to gain more experience/qualifications, rather than someone who has one "better" qualification.
The 2 companies you list however, are probably the most well known, and so to a certain extent can really cherry pick who they take on. However... look around the industry and you'll find many many more companies without such a publicly known name, but with just as much a good business and great career opportunity. What about looking towards a smaller more specialised company in a specific area? What area of "motorsports" do you want to go into, as it does tend to be more specialised.
And don't rule out the bigger places like Ricardo etc!
Your qualifications look to be a good starting point, and many employers will actively look for someone who's still challenging themselves and looking to gain more experience/qualifications, rather than someone who has one "better" qualification.
The 2 companies you list however, are probably the most well known, and so to a certain extent can really cherry pick who they take on. However... look around the industry and you'll find many many more companies without such a publicly known name, but with just as much a good business and great career opportunity. What about looking towards a smaller more specialised company in a specific area? What area of "motorsports" do you want to go into, as it does tend to be more specialised.
And don't rule out the bigger places like Ricardo etc!
MrChips said:
I somehow managed to get a MEng in Automotive Engineering but have ended up going away from the engineering side of things, however many of my mates have gone into R&D with various places.
Your qualifications look to be a good starting point, and many employers will actively look for someone who's still challenging themselves and looking to gain more experience/qualifications, rather than someone who has one "better" qualification.
The 2 companies you list however, are probably the most well known, and so to a certain extent can really cherry pick who they take on. However... look around the industry and you'll find many many more companies without such a publicly known name, but with just as much a good business and great career opportunity. What about looking towards a smaller more specialised company in a specific area? What area of "motorsports" do you want to go into, as it does tend to be more specialised.
And don't rule out the bigger places like Ricardo etc!
Well I guess my strengths are hydraulics, pneumatics and materials(GRP and carbon fibre) so working within these areas would achieve the greatest success. The Forces have a canny habit of pushing your skills and boundaries by dropping you into varied roles through your career. I'd say I'm multi faceted not to be be confused with 'Jack of all trades, master of none!' but certainly not fazed with learning new skills or doing something different.Your qualifications look to be a good starting point, and many employers will actively look for someone who's still challenging themselves and looking to gain more experience/qualifications, rather than someone who has one "better" qualification.
The 2 companies you list however, are probably the most well known, and so to a certain extent can really cherry pick who they take on. However... look around the industry and you'll find many many more companies without such a publicly known name, but with just as much a good business and great career opportunity. What about looking towards a smaller more specialised company in a specific area? What area of "motorsports" do you want to go into, as it does tend to be more specialised.
And don't rule out the bigger places like Ricardo etc!
I can't really nail it down other than I'd like a career that poses new challenges. To work with a team/company that shares the same ethos from the top to the bottom and colleagues share that sense of passion that's needed to achieve excellence. I've been fortunate that the working environment in the Forces is as such, and would like that sense of camaraderie to continue in a civilian company.
Thanks for the Ricardo tip, I'd never even heard of them but it seems that they have been responsible for some impressive engineering projects, Jags first diesel, land speed record engines, Veyron and Ford GT transmission. As luck would have it there is a position I'm interested in too!
Cheers
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