Check out this link to a video of Little Red Riding Hood for Engineers. It's a great piece of modern art mixed with cool engineering.

http://technology.todaysbigthing.com/2009/04/03

So, has anyone else been affected by the economy? Have projects gone silent, clients gone cold?

For me, I'm part of the laid-off engineering statistic that happened back in January. Technically, I've been without full-time work for around 2 months which isn't enough to make me go batty quite yet, but it does make me worry. I have a fairly good resume with 4 years of experience in structural engineering and yet, have only been on one interview and it was for a construction inspector position. *sigh*

Have all the structural engineering positions dried up? Or do I have to wait until the end of the year when I get back the results of my PE exam which I will hopefully be taking in October? Yes, I'm only an EIT, but I've run my own sites and have been responsible for pretty much everything, once I get the OK and the final blessing from my PE boss.

I've been able to land some contract work from colleagues of mine which has kept the bills paid and the car parked in my parking lot, but I'm a creature of habit. I like going to my 8-5 job, packing up my lunch in the morning, getting my coffee ready while I debate what to wear.

Has anyone else been made into a statistic of unemployment?

I'm a Civil Engineer with a minor in Transport Engineering.
Saluts. 

Does in the group use PLS CADD?  If so, do you know of any Texas-based user groups?  I try to search online, but all I get is PowerLine's website or companies looking for PLS CADD experts. 

Just curious... how many engineers are in your family? Were your parents engineers? Was there anything special about the way you were raised that made you want to be an engineer, or did it just happen?

Hello All,

I was watching Ghostbusters 2, and of course they mention "pnuematic transportation".
Being a geek and yet never hearing of it before (I hadn't watched Ghostbusters since I was a kid), I wikipedia'd it - and was surprised in a very cool way to find it was true!

If you've never read about it before, give the following links a read!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_tube
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/1997/3/1997_3_44.shtml

Hey all, I am trying to collect some information and not finding a lot of information online. If any of you have some experience/input on the following questions, I would love to hear it!

What would you expect to pay for mechanical engineering design services? Such services could include any of the following:

*initial conceptual design
*industrial design
*mechanical design
*thermal analysis
*structural analysis
*design for manufacturing
*documentation
*manufacturing enablement

Would it make a difference if the company/consultant you were working with had in house rapid prototyping, casting, and/or machining capabilities? If they had established relationships with injection molders? If they had ties to other areas such as marketing?

How would you expect rates to correspond to level of experience?

If you offer similar services (even if in another field of engineering) and don't mind sharing what are your rates?

If you have recently used such a service, and don't mind sharing, what were you quoted for this type of work?

Thanks!

Let's compile a list.... (if there isn't one already ?)

Signs u might be an engineer...
- u r in someone's house and u use their toilet. it did not flush, so you open it up and fix it. you don't even need to mention it to the house owner.
- u have fixed a key lock using a hammer, screw driver, and a piece of aluminium/plastic from the allergy medicine packet that was the closest malleable object next to you.
- u describe allergry medicine packets as malleable, or (an old favourite of mine:) u compliment the cook about the "excellent consistency" of the kreme caramel you are eating ..etc.
- during your day-to-day activities you find yourself recalling and relating to dilbert comics you have read in the past.

I'm finally graduating next Tuesday with my degree in Mechanical Engineering!

I want to decorate my cap for the ceremony, but I want to make sure whatever I put I will look back 5 years from now and still think it was a good idea, so it needs to be classy. I would like something humorous or something that relates to engineering, but preferably boh. Anyone have any ideas??

I want to avoid:
Schools name/initials/symbols
My sorority's letters/symbols
Any generic things like a heart or "2008"

My ideas:
The classic "I'M FREE" is always fun
The pi symbol
Spelling out "M.E." for my degree

I recently applied for a professional engineering license.  Seeing I have degrees in architectural engineering and architecture, I am planning to take the architectural exam.  I worked as an HVAC designer between undergrad and grad programs.  I could take the mechanical exam.  However, I would prefer to study the architectural applications of engineering rather than broader subjects that I haven't and won't likely use in practice.  When starting to prepare for the exam, I got overwhelmed by the list of references posted on the Architectural Engineering Institute's website.  I currently own three of them that are current and one that is outdated.  For those who are preparing for or have taken the exam, is it really necessary to have all 29 of them for the exam?  It is too expensive to purchase them all, and impractical to carry them all.  I am now thinking about studying them at a library and photocopying tables or anything that I would expect to need during the open-book exam.

I'll be graduating with my BS in electrical engineering this December and am starting to worry about finding a job. My personal circumstances have changed since I began college, and now I need to find a part-time (24-32 hrs/week) rather than a full-time engineering job.

I am concerned that this will make me a difficult sell to employers.

A little about me: I'm female, I've had two summer internships with Intel, I have good grades, etc. :) I'm interested in power, renewable energy, and energy efficiency and would prefer a job in those areas, but I would consider others. I don't think I can be too picky in this economy. But schedule is most important.

So how do I approach finding a PT engineering job? Should I tell companies upfront that's what I'm looking for? Put it in my resume objective statement? Or should I sell them on me as a candidate and then negotiate that? What if a company offers to fly me out for an interview? I would feel compelled to tell them beforehand that I don't want a FT job, but what do you think?

Also, what companies are more favorable toward this kind of schedule? I'd appreciate any advice you all can give. :)

X-posted to engineer_chicks 

I am employed by a large international enginering company. I was hired in March to staff an on site project for total of 12 months. I am currently 3 months into the assignment.

In the past few months I've grown increaaingly dissatisfied with the position, the location and my career in general. It was always my goal to relocate after the assignment was complete. But now I am not sure if I can make it.

My question to you all is, how should I tackle this? I am not under contract and there is no other reason for me to stay but this job. My company has 3 different offices in the area I would like to relocate to. Should I even attempt to request a relocation. Or should I just cut and run? In these financial times, I'm not sure I want to be unemployed.

Help please!

"Any sufficiently dense energy storage technology is indistinguishable from an explosive"

Thoughts?

I have what I think might be sort of a rare decision to have to make.  Preferably, I'd like to take my third day of work off a new job to do testing for another potential employer that I'd prefer to work for.  Before I go into it much further, I'll give a little background that should make it easier to understand my situation.

( Read more... )

I am currently a sophomore in chemical engineering under the nanoscience concentration. My goal has always been to work within nanomedicine, but lately I have been really questioning if I am in the right major.

I chose chemical engineering solely because it was the only major that specifically offered a focus in nanoscience, but after recently evaluating the biomedical engineering major I am confused as to whether I should be in that instead. Chemical engineering offers me the chance to have two nanoscience electives, but I am uncertain if that is a good enough reason to choose it as a major. Would it be wiser to pursue a degree in biomedical and gain experience in the medical side of engineering or do you think I should continue with chemical engineering?

I've already talked to two different advisers and neither have given me very good advice on what to do. In fact, one said he had no idea and the other told me to look for research opportunities instead. I'd really love to hear what you guys think!

TMAD TAYLOR & GAINES (TTG) is a leading design engineering firm offering exceptional Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Civil design engineering services with 8-eight offices throughout California and Arizona. We are seeking a motivated Lead Sr. Electrical Engineer/Department Manager for our San Francisco office. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years experience and have California Professional Registration. Design experience with institutional, commercial, educational and healthcare projects is strongly desired.
• Experience designing electrical systems for Buildings
• Familiar with California standards CEC, CBC, NFPA & Title 24
• Design experience: Lighting, Power, Low Voltage, Fire Alarm, Voice & Data
• Familiarity with Auto CAD
• Professional license/affiliations PE (Professional Engineer)
• Education: Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
• Management experience required

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. We offer a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package including 401k. If you are interested in being part of a growing team of professionals and seeking to raise the bar in design engineering services, please email your resume and cover letter including desired salary to: TMAD TAYLOR & GAINES, attention: Brandy Poston, bposton@tmadtg.com or fax to: 415/296.0101. www.tmadtg.com



TMAD TAYLOR & GAINES (TTG) is a leading design engineering firm offering exceptional Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Civil design engineering services with 8-eight offices throughout California and Arizona. We are seeking a motivated Plumbing Engineer for our San Francisco office. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years experience and have California Professional Registration. Design experience with institutional, commercial, educational and healthcare projects is strongly desired.
• Will work on a variety of projects as assigned with overall reaponsibility for the technical quality of the plumbing design.
• Will provide direction to drafters and other designers as necessary.
• Will coordinate with all local authorities and will remain involved with the project through construction completion.
• Detailed coordination with HVAC and electrical departments is required at all times.
• Experience with OSHPD and DSA is a plus.

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. We offer a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package including 401k. If you are interested in being part of a growing team of professionals and seeking to raise the bar in design engineering services, please email your resume and cover letter including desired salary to: TMAD TAYLOR & GAINES, attention: Brandy Poston, bposton@tmadtg.com or fax to: 415/296.0101. www.tmadtg.com


TMAD TAYLOR & GAINES (TTG) is a leading design engineering firm offering exceptional Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Civil design engineering services with 8-eight offices throughout California and Arizona. We are seeking a motivated Mechanical Engineer for our San Francisco office. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 8 years experience and have California Professional Registration. Design experience with institutional, commercial, educational and healthcare projects is strongly desired.
• A minimum of 3 years of project management experience.
• California professional registration required.
• Candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Requirements analysis, design skills, presenting technical information, quality focus, general consulting skills, production planning and job knowledge.

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. We offer a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package including 401k. If you are interested in being part of a growing team of professionals and seeking to raise the bar in design engineering services, please email your resume and cover letter including desired salary to: TMAD TAYLOR & GAINES, attention: Brandy Poston, bposton@tmadtg.com or fax to: 415/296.0101. www.tmadtg.com

To move or not to move...

( More info behind the cut )