Aviation jobs for a ex-software engineer..

[squale]

I am currently in the software engineering field dealing with heath insurance software. I was looking to persue a career change in the aviation field which has always been a dream of mine. I have a huge interest in avionics, espcially all the new glass cockpits and advanced gps systems and software that goes along with it. I see a lot of job postings for Avionics Technicians, etc. but was wondering what type of qualifications or FAA certifications you need for this type of career? how is the pay compared to say an A&P Mechanic, etc?

Any info you could provide me on the field of avionics and aviation software systems would be greatly appreciated.

Also if you know of the best place to search for these type of aviation jobs I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

 

[Frmr Avro Drvr]

I am currently in the software engineering field dealing with heath insurance software. I was looking to persue a career change in the aviation field which has always been a dream of mine. I have a huge interest in avionics, espcially all the new glass cockpits and advanced gps systems and software that goes along with it. I see a lot of job postings for Avionics Technicians, etc. but was wondering what type of qualifications or FAA certifications you need for this type of career? how is the pay compared to say an A&P Mechanic, etc?

Any info you could provide me on the field of avionics and aviation software systems would be greatly appreciated.

Also if you know of the best place to search for these type of aviation jobs I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

I am an Avionics Systems Engineer at Smiths Aerospace in Grand Rapids, MI. We have a whole load of openings for software engineers for systems like Flight Management Systems, Weapons Delivery Systems, The Brains of the 787. I am currently working on the B-1B Flight Data Recorder/Cockpit Voice Recorder, 787 FDR/CVR and other military FDR/CVRs. No FAA certifications required for any of the positions here. Salaries start in the 50s-70s depending on experience.

Take a look at:

www.smithsjobs.com

We also have facilities in Clearwater, FL and Germantown, MD and a few other smaller facilities.

Let me know if you need more info.

 

[LearLove]

Quick question for you guys. I've been away from the engineering field for about 8 years now. Do you guys know what the field is like for mechanical engineers? I'd like to get back in part time. I have exp. in airfoil design, engines, thermo and spindle motor design. I think that rejoining the ASME may be a good first step.

 

[Immelman]

What type of job are you looking for, exactly? The reason I ask is that I view technicians and engineers as two different classes of job... they are related, sure, but there is a big difference there... the avionics technicians I've met, though top-notch folks, are the ones crawling around avionics bays wiring things up... I am not in the avionics business myself but we have a number of customers in civilian & mil aeroapce industries doing cool things on the ground & in the air (cannot go into any detail, sorry).

As the guy up above suggested, check out manufacturer's websites. I was just goofing around and came across Gamin's job listings the other day.. they had several engineering positions open entry level & experienced, on the software side... just about any company out there will have their jobs advertised.

 

[squale]

thanks for the info, I am in northern, NJ so I am looking for jobs around this area, I can't relocate as I just brought a new house up here.

My main concerns are that I do NOT have a four year college education. I went to a computer technical school for 1.5 years and then came out of there with a job at my current company doing software engineering for the healthcare industry. This really is not my dream job as I really have little to no interest in the health care corrupt system.. I always dreamed about being a professional pilot but without that 4-year degree I know that isn't going to happen, besides the fact that I don't have the money to put myself through all the flight training,, a private pilot license is all I can really afford which I am very close to obtaining.
So I always wanted to work around planes, and I am highly interested in avionics, including both the hardware and software that goes into them. All the new glass cockpits I find extremely interesting and would love to work with these type of systems.

So I suppose what I am looking for is the following..

1.) What position title(s) do I seem to fit the best?

2.) Where would I go for training in this field? or do you just get an entry level job and learn all of this on the job?

3.) Do you need special FAA certifications to work any of these positions?

4.) What level of education is generally required for these type jobs?

Thanks again!

 

[qmaster3]

SQUALE,

Just called an A&P buddy of mine. You don't need it to do the Avionics installations. Your employer is required to have the Repair Station Certificate, and it's signed off at that level.

 

[Metro752]

Hey Squale, if you really want to be a pilot save your money, for a couple years working at the Health Care place.

Or if you have to, get a loan from Sallie Mae, $10,000 = $100/month. Go to a 141 flight school to get your ratings done, if you get your CFI, you could start instructing, while making a lot less than you would at your software job. Or you could do both, make extra money, buy some more twin time and stuff.

 

[squale]

yeah I already ruled out the pilot career, I do want to get into avionics though. I am just wondering what type of money can be expected in this field and what exactly the job outlook is for this type of work?

also, if anybody can give some details on what the job entails that would be very helpful.

Thank you.

 

[smellthejeta]

thanks for the info, I am in northern, NJ so I am looking for jobs around this area, I can't relocate as I just brought a new house up here.

My main concerns are that I do NOT have a four year college education. I went to a computer technical school for 1.5 years and then came out of there with a job at my current company doing software engineering for the healthcare industry. This really is not my dream job as I really have little to no interest in the health care corrupt system.. I always dreamed about being a professional pilot but without that 4-year degree I know that isn't going to happen, besides the fact that I don't have the money to put myself through all the flight training,, a private pilot license is all I can really afford which I am very close to obtaining.
So I always wanted to work around planes, and I am highly interested in avionics, including both the hardware and software that goes into them. All the new glass cockpits I find extremely interesting and would love to work with these type of systems.

So I suppose what I am looking for is the following..

1.) What position title(s) do I seem to fit the best?

2.) Where would I go for training in this field? or do you just get an entry level job and learn all of this on the job?

3.) Do you need special FAA certifications to work any of these positions?

4.) What level of education is generally required for these type jobs?

Thanks again!

I have a BS in computer science, and my GPA is pretty lousy, so it's tough for me to get a good computer job. As a result, I'm persuing alternate means of employment It's for the better though, because hoepfully this alternate field will be a much better career.

Generally speaking, most software development jobs for the well known companies will require a BS in Comp Sci or Comp Engineering. I co-oped for Lockheed Martin developing ATC systems for various projects. I think they require a four year degree, but I knew a couple of guys that had tech school training. I can't remember if they held a four year degree in an unrelated field or not.

If an FAA cert is required, they will specifically tell you that in the job posting. The farther you get from "touching" an aircraft, the less likely it is that you will not need any FAA certs.

What I would do if I were you, figure out who in your area hires for these positions, and see if you could run into an HR person at some sort of job fair and pick their brain.

 

[Metro752]

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/jobsearch/job_detail.html?job_id=JLIOPCA8J

Atlantic City, NJ

Always a bunch of Ratheon stuff on Hotjobs.

 

[squale]

yeah unfortuanely I am in northern jersey and AC is about 3 hours away from me

 

[TriStar_drvr]

Twelve years ago, I left a job as a software engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company (now part of Raytheon), to be a pilot. I wrote signal processing software for the B-2, F-15E, and F/A-18 radar systems.

Look into the defense industry for software jobs in avionics. Although a lot of the companies are in Southern California, I'm sure there must be jobs in the Northeast too. Grumman corporation, now part of Northrop Grumman used to be headquartered on Long Island, so you might want to look there.

Good luck in your career. And by the way, choosing not to be a pilot is probably a good move.

 

[Metro752]

General Dynamics in CT

 

[jobear]

CAE is always looking for engineers and software tech's just saw a posting on the DFW site not to long ago or if you want International they could probably help you out there too.

Save me a job I do have a weak mind but a strong back

Jobear

 

[Immelman]

Aha.. well in that case I would highly reccomend considering a QA job... you'll be using the products hands on (or managing automated tests thereof) -- your job will be to break the product (software, that is) in any way imaginable, and having knowledge about how pilots are going to use it & abuse it will be a big plus. Entry level QA people are sometimes hired straight out ot school, or without a full BS. If you're good, it also gets your foot in the door to move up into dev engineering... good luck on it!

 

[typhoonpilot]

yeah unfortuanely I am in northern jersey and AC is about 3 hours away from me

I think you need to get over this idea that you can't move. You are severely limiting yourself with this restriction. Maybe you will find a good job within a 5 minute drive of your house, but it is highly unlikely. Reminds me of the guys who wouldn't apply to majors that didn't have a California base. You have to be willing to move to advance in most large corporations.

On the job front, just call Boeing and tell them you have a solution to the CPDLC and cabin lighting problems that the Blockpoint 2003 update is causing on the 777. Ask them for $85,000 per year to start plus moving expenses and have them pay the realtor fees to sell your house. For that you will tell them the fix .

Typhoonpilot

 

[LearLove]

"The reason I ask is that I view technicians and engineers as two different classes of job... they are related, sure, but there is a big difference there.."

Thank you. I know this will make me sound like a jerk but I've always tried to be as honest a possible around here so here goes...

That really ticks me off when guys who are not engineers call themselves engineers. A 2 year course at Devry or Lincon Tech doesn't make you a professional engineer, not matter what they say in the commercial at 2am. You did not get a degree in engineering and you did not take the EIT or PE exam therefore your not an engineer. Your a technician.

As a 121 airline Capt. I flew pax from New York to Canada, but you don't see me putting "International Airline Capt." on my resume.

Getting off my soapbox now, sorry if I offend anyone.

 

[squale]

I think "engineering" college is very overrated, sorry..
I have NUMEROUS friends that just came out of 4-year HIGH END schools with engineering degrees and can't find **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** in the way of jobs. Then others like myself who went to a tech school have been working at a pretty good salary for the last few years and already owning a home, etc..

There will always be those who are high and mighty on 4-years of schooling in college, to me I think it's a total Bull&)(*)( business and they are just taking your money. You have to sit back and ask yourself why you are required to take so many classes that have nothing to do with your major? They say to make you more well rounded, that's crap, I am much more well rounded and know many more things about many more topics than my 4-year degree friends... It's called just researching and reading things on your own, things you are interested in.. the internet is your best friend in this regard.. It's a business I tell you, a way to get more of your money! If that wasn't the case, people would be getting the same training for their careers in 2 years as they do now in 4 year schools..
Anyhow, that's just my take on college, I don't want to debate it cause everybody has their different views.. I just find it shallow that some companies won't even look at you unless you have this bogus diploma... it's only the companies that are missing out on good people. I have found that tech school graduates are sometimes more motivated and better working than their 4-year partying college friends..

 

[mayday1]

Squale, it is true that you can be successful in many different fields w/o a college degree.. aviation being one of them. I think the debates that rage on this board about college have more to do with positioning yourself to be the best candidate/applicant to your prospective employer. Bottom line, whether people agree/disagree.. having a college degree will open more doors for you than not having one... in virtually any field or industry.

To your point of having a "bogus degree".. there are plenty of folks out there that parlay 4 years of partying into a degree.. and then there are a good majority of others that put in the studying, effort, time, etc. and actually get a great education. Many who don't have a degree always rant about "having to take useless subjects that have nothing to do with my career".. that is a very misguided/misinformed perspective on college. College not only introduces you to new subjects, areas, and ideas, but also teaches you how to learn, how to write, communicate, present, further develop interpersonal skills, and much more.

 

[Frmr Avro Drvr]

I think "engineering" college is very overrated, sorry..
I have NUMEROUS friends that just came out of 4-year HIGH END schools with engineering degrees and can't find **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** in the way of jobs. Then others like myself who went to a tech school have been working at a pretty good salary for the last few years and already owning a home, etc..
..

It all depends what your degree is in. In the software world I can agree with you. Programming can be self taught which is what you are referring to when you talk about research and experience.

I consider my Electrical Engineering Degree anything but useless. It has brought me along nicely over the last 10 years of my life. Unfortunately, a potential employer does not know anything about your character when they look at your resume. A "quality" degree speaks hugely about work ethic, long term commitment, vision and willingness to learn. That may not be a correct assessment of all people with degrees but it is an assumption an employer makes when they see a four year degree on a resume. The person stuck with a goal for at least four years.

I consider my degree anything but a waste. My degree got me a commission in the USAF as an officer and also bailed me out when the Regional furloughs came along. I am thankful for my degree. So much that I am starting an MBA in May.

Either way. I still wish you luck. You can still go far without a four year degree if you have the right experience. As I mentioned to you before: there are a lot of entry level software positions in Aerospace that will open bigger and better doors.