Exploring the Path from Engineer to Aerospace Management Role

[sublimefreq]

It is my understanding that some engineers working in aerospace find that a role in management best suits them and seek to climb the ladder of the company they are working for, where as others focus entirely on the technical, R&D side of things, content to stay in the same position indefinitely.

I'm not sure which of these roles best suits me quite yet, to be honest. I am just starting college and although the hard core design aspect of engineering fascinates me, I can also see "part of my father" in me, in that he was a very successful manager of a logistics firm and really made a substantial impact in that company. It wasn't about status or power for him, he's really quite modest, he just really excelled at managing, and I guess the world needs people like that.

I was looking at the "careers" section of SpaceX's website (I live very close to Hawthorne), and one of the positions in the business operations area is "Mission/Project Manger"

Taken from the website:

Requirements

* BS Degree with minimum 5 years industry experience
* Technical project Management experience
* Excellent written and verbal skills
* Experience working with cross-functional team and external customers
* Highly detail oriented, diligent, hard working with excellent customer interface skills

I guess my question is, after completing one's B.S. degree, how many years and what positions do you take in order to end up in this sort of managerial role. I take it one starts as an entry level aerospace engineer, and then I'm curious what steps lie in between this and the career of project manager, like where do you gain the "technical project management" experience. Is it assumed that someone would not find themselves in a position like this until they are in their 40's? Are there project managers younger than this? What lies after? Are there positions senior to this one?

I'm sure some engineering people are thinking argh I hate people like you! Ladder climbers who give me unrealistic deadlines and waste company resources! Curse you!

Just curious what everyone's assessment is of the transition from engineer to managerial role(s)

 

[Travis_King]

You will not get a managerial role at SpaceX by completing the generic, minimal requirements. That is a cutting edge company on the forefront of it's industry. Just want to make sure you understand that, not trying to be mean...Every day they get, and turn down, hundreds or even thousands of applications from people who far exceed the minimum requirements.

Realistically, it will take you somewhere in the realm of 5-10 years to even get into a meaningful managerial role. However, you can get "experience" along the way, by managing small groups or projects, and getting involved with the managers and indicating your desire to go that route.

Generally this is the path:
Jr Engineer (or associate, whatever they call it)
Intermediate Engineer
Project Engineer **Which may also just be the Intermediate, but could be any level, really**
Project Manager

Of course, there are tons of directions you can go, and you can find yourself going up and down this ladder (in your responsibilities, not your job title). And it's a good route to go, if you like to manage people. If you like the actual engineering, you'll find you do less and less of this as your managerial responsibilities increase.

A PM at SpaceX likely has 15 - 20+ years of Industry related experience, or between 5-10 years of industry specific experience. They'll probably have higher education degrees as well, and/or be Licensed Professionals.

 

[NatSusan]

As a fellow engineering student, I can relate to your dilemma of deciding between a technical or managerial role in the aerospace industry. It's definitely a tough decision, but it's great that you're already thinking about it and exploring your options.

In terms of the transition from engineer to manager, it really depends on the individual and their career path. Some may start in entry-level engineering positions and work their way up through various roles, gaining technical and project management experience along the way. Others may enter the industry with a more business-oriented background and transition into a managerial role earlier on.

As for the specific steps and timeline, it's difficult to say as it varies from person to person and company to company. It's definitely possible to become a project manager in your 30s or even younger, especially if you have a strong combination of technical and soft skills. And yes, there are definitely more senior positions beyond project manager, such as program manager or director of engineering.

I think it's important to remember that both technical and managerial roles are crucial in the aerospace industry. While some may prefer to focus solely on the technical side, others may find fulfillment in managing and leading teams to achieve a common goal. It's all about finding what suits you best and where your strengths lie.

In the end, don't worry too much about where you'll end up in your career. Focus on gaining relevant experience, developing your skills, and continuously learning and growing. The rest will fall into place. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors!