Engineers

Engineers and technicians

• Robotics
• Materials
• Electronics/Electrical
• Computer
• Aerospace
• Mechanical
• Telecommunications

If your imagination is fired by spacecraft, you have many careers to choose from in the space industry. Who knows, one of your components may one day be just the thing to help astronauts accomplish their mission.

Robotics

Automated manufacturing engineer, robotics engineer, robotics technician

Robotics makes it possible to manufacture automated mechanisms capable of replacing human beings to perform some tasks.

Materials

Materials and metallurgical engineer

Science that deals with designing new alloys and synthetic materials resistant to the extreme conditions in space.

Electronics/Electrical

Electrical engineer, electrical engineering technician, electronics engineer, electronics engineering technician

Electricity: the production and distribution of electricity

Electronics: electronic circuits and electrical systems.

Computer

Computer engineer and technician

Development of computer systems, programs and components to ensure that spacecraft function properly.

Aerospace

Aerospace, avionics and instrumentation engineer, spacecraft engineers, avionics and aerospace engineering technician

Aerospace involves the design of spacecraft that can travel in both the Earth's atmosphere and space.

Mechanical

Mechanical engineer, mechanical engineering technician, computer-assisted design draftsperson

Mechanics includes the manufacturing, maintenance, installation and repair of machines and instruments.

Telecommunications

Data transmission, maintenance and antenna engineer, radar and satellite techincian

Telecommunications includes everything having to do with wireless communications.

Robotics

Engineer

Depending on their specialization, robotics engineers can work on two aspects of robot design: mechanical or automated.

Because going into space involves risk for the astronauts, we are increasingly trying to develop robots to do this for them and limit the amount of time they spend outside the space shuttle. The Canadarm was designed for this exact purpose, and experts are working on improving it, so it can perform more tasks (see box).

Engineers may also work on modifying existing robots to improve their performance.

Dextre shown above, consists of a robotic hand and two fingers.

Profile
	Name: Lindsay Evans Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Occupation: Robotics instructor Workplace: Canadian Space Agency, Longueuil, QC
Lindsay has worked at the Canadian Space Agency for over five years. Initially, she was a sub-contractor with MD Robotics in Brampton, Ontario, a company that, at the time, was developing the special purpose dexterous manipulator, which is a two-fingered robotic hand. But Lindsay didn't like sitting in front of her computer eight hours a day, dreaming about training astronauts. She started assisting trainers on her own time, and because her passion for this work was so obvious, she was offered a position when one became available. Today, Lindsay teaches all astronauts, Canadian, American and Russian, how to operate the remote manipulator (Canadarm2) in space. This career brings together both her passions: engineering and teaching. Why engineering? I loved science, but I missed the practical aspect of science, which is what I rediscovered in mechanical engineering. Lindsay's advice: Remember that there's always more than one way of making your dreams come true.

Materials

Engineers in materials, metallurgical, physical metallurgical, ceramics, metals and minerals—materials engineering has as many titles as it has specializations. One distinction should be made: metallurgists work with metals and materials engineers work with all materials other than metal (plastic, ceramic, etc).

Materials Engineer

Materials engineers work on the production, processing, development, design and use of modern materials.

For example, the space shuttle is covered with thermo-resistant ceramic tiles, that is, tiles that are heat-resistant and that protect the shuttle upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

Ceramics are only one example of advances in the development of new materials to protect spacecraft from the cold, heat, and intense rays in space.

Metallurgists

Metallurgists specialize in metals. They recommend the best metal to use in a given situation. They may conduct research to find the most resistant metal combinations. Metals used in the manufacture of launchers and satellites could be subject to extreme temperature variations or collide with meteorites.

Metallurgists, in cooperation with scientists, may also study how metal combinations react in zero gravity conditions, to ensure that all materials used aboard spacecraft are reliable and safe.

Computer

Computer Engineer

Computer engineers design and develop computer equipment, machine languages and specialized software to be used in satellites that orbit Earth and in space probe missions. They develop engineering systems and software used to receive information and oversee the manufacturing of these systems. Computer engineers are responsible for analyzing computer needs for space projects and recommending the software and instruments required, or designing them if the ones that exist do not meet the needs of the project in question.

Electronics/Electrical

Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers in the space industry design electronic control equipment used in many areas, including communication, automation and telecommunication. For example, electronics engineers may design equipment used to communicate with astronauts during a space mission or carry out testing on satellite antenna to ensure that they work perfectly before being used. Electronics engineers are also responsible for estimating the manufacturing costs of prototypes, as all projects have a budget that should not be exceeded.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers have the same responsibilities as electronics engineers in terms of staying under budget, but rather than tackling electronic components, they design electrical sets for spacecraft. To this end, they may update specific system and application software. Electrical engineers oversee the manufacturing, installation, maintenance and repair of electrical sets and ensure that electrical set plans are safe. The last thing we would want is to have to fight a fire during a space shuttle mission!

Avionics and Instrumentation Engineer

These engineers specialize in the design, development, manufacture, testing and installation of electronic aviation equipment, instruments, sensors, and automated flight systems for spacecraft.

The Falcon-20 is a commercial aircraft
to which changes were made to simulate
short periods of zero gravity conditions.

ENVISAT is an advanced Earth
observation satellite with a unique combination of sensors
that greatly improve the scope and precision of scientific
measurement of the atmosphere, oceans, and land and ice surfaces.
(Photo: ESA)

Aerospace

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers design aerospace vehicles such as aircraft, launchers, satellites and spacecraft. They oversee the manufacture, assembly, testing, modification, maintenance and repair of these vehicles. Aerospace engineers also design structures, engines and propulsion systems. They must apply mechanical principles (laws of motion and balance), and the principle of aerodynamics (e.g., study of air movement on an aircraft) and study the resistance of materials.

Spacecraft Engineer

Spacecraft engineers design, define and manufacture all spacecraft systems, including satellites, launchers, and reusable vehicles launched into orbit, such as the space shuttle. They are also responsible for carrying out system flight acceptance tests. Their work involves the basic structural design of craft; telemetry and communications; instrumentation; sensors; orbital parameters; altitude and control systems; material selection, as well as feeder and life preservation systems.

The International Space Station (ISS), the largest
technical-scientific project ever undertaken, is the result
of a joint effort by the United States,
Russia, Canada, 11 European countries and Japan.

Aerospace Engineers at the Canadian Space Agency

Profile
	Name: Isabelle Tremblay Education: Master's in Aerospace Engineering Occupation: Systems Engineer Workplace: Canadian Space Agency, Longueuil, QC
Isabelle says that her education has been invaluable in her chosen career. She comes from a background free of stereotypes. She was never discouraged from studying in a non-traditional field. Her father is an engineer, and introduced her to science. From a young age, she had building sets and science magazines for children. Her interest in science continued in high school. Twice she participated in the science fair in her region. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, she worked in consulting engineering. She realized that she was not living out her dream. The best way to do this, as far as she was concerned, was to do a master's in Aerospace Engineering. So she did. An internship at the Canadian Space Agency led to her joining the team. Today, as a systems engineer, Isabelle coordinates such planetary exploration projects as the Phoenix Mission. She heads the robotics laboratory and conducts research and development in this field. She also followed in her mother's footsteps, teaching electronics at the École Polytechnique de Montréal (QC). Special training: student exchange in Boston to learn English. Université Internationale de l'espace in Strasbourg, France. See the Training section for more information. Isabelle's advice: You have to have drive and not be shy about knocking on doors and asking for information. The more informed you are, the more sure you become about what you love and the career you want. There are so many ways of obtaining information about available opportunities: visit companies, call, conduct Internet research, read. Make sure you leave no stone unturned!

Phoenix Mission

To land on Mars in 2008. Isabelle's team will supply the systems required by the meteorology station, which will study the planet's upper atmosphere.

Mission Planning Engineers
Canadian Space Agency, Longueuil, QC

When a space mission involves the use of Canadarm2, Rod and Alexandre follow the mission live on a big screen from the control room. They have a direct line to Houston (NASA's control room) to provide assistance should the astronauts need support in using the space arm.

Rod McGregor, degree in Aerospace Engineering
Alexandre Grégoire-Rousseau, master's in Aerospace Engineering

A team with a direct line to space

Rod admits that high marks did not come easily, but he had a dream: to become an astronaut. He simply worked harder to make his dream come true than those who found schoolwork easy.

All he knew at the time was that engineering studies were required to become an astronaut. So he completed a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson University in Toronto. To bring him one step closer to his dream, he worked on space projects at Ryerson, such as the development of an experimental spacecraft. Although it wasn't a high-paying job, he knew that the experience would help earn him a job in the space industry. While working, he also obtained a master's degree in Aerospace.

Today, although Rod is not an astronaut, he feels that he is living out his dream in an interesting way!

How did he get to where he is? Simply by posting my cv on the Internet at www.spacejobs.com. It works!

Rod's advice: Persevere, of course! Develop a network of contacts and learn to sell yourself.

When Alexandre was to choose his field of study, he had no idea what he wanted to do. He did have one asset: he had taken science courses, and this left many doors open to him. He asked himself what skills he had and what he liked to do and, after eliminating a number of options, he decided on engineering. Since he had always been fascinated by space, he applied to the bachelor's degree program in mechanical engineering, with a concentration in aerospace.

Upon obtaining his bachelor's degree, Alexandre wanted to learn more about aerospace, so he applied to the master's degree program, during which he did an internship at the Canadian Space Agency.

To be successful in his job supporting Canadarm2 missions, he must select and prepare the software that will be most useful for the mission and ensure that NASA has the software so astronauts can learn to use it.

Alexandre finds his work gratifying because, when a mission goes smoothly, he knows that he has played a role in its success.

Alexandre's advice: If you've already started in a field of study and you realize that it's not for you, it's never too late to change programs. It's important to do what you love.

Mechanics

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers design, build and test spacecraft and oversee the maintenance and testing of satellites, space equipment and related equipment and systems. Mechanical engineers work mainly on transforming energy. For instance, they work on using sunlight to power an electrical system. They also work on the mechanical systems of space equipment and spacecraft.

Profile
	Name: Émilie Sabrié Master's student at Université Laval, QC Is developing a flight simulator
Émilie obtained her bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in France, completing one year of study in Quebec. Because she loved her stay so much, she decided to do her research internship, a requirement for her to obtain her degree, in Quebec and never returned to France! After obtaining her degree, she decided to do her master's in aerospace engineering and is involved in the development of a flight simulator prototype. In addition to acquiring practical knowledge of all aerospace principles, developing this simulator has allowed her to apply what she learned in her bachelor's program, particularly mechanical principles and computer-assisted drafting techniques. In fact, the drawing below is her creation! Why engineering? I loved science, but I didn't want to be a scholar for the rest of my life. I was interested in the more practical, hands-on and concrete part of science. That's why I chose mechanical engineering. I decided to do a master's because I thought it would give me me more choices and more responsibility at work.

(Drawing: Université Laval)

Telecommunications

Telecommunications engineers study electrical or computer engineering. Depending on the courses taken during their studies, they carry out various telecommunications tasks.

Computer

Telecommunications Specialist
Telecommunications specialists develop, implement, evaluate and maintain telecommunication networks, including software and related equipment, to meet the needs of users. These specialists must write about the software, analyze network problems, recommend solutions, provide information for staff working on the network and determine the time, equipment and resources required to implement changes or set up projects.

Because telecommunications engineers have basic computer training, they can become specialists:

Technology Development Engineer
Evaluates and chooses new technologies that could contribute to the development of new services.

Scientific Telecommunications Programmer
Designs, develops and implements software to keep satellites in their desired positions so they are always properly positioned.

Data Transmission Engineer
Provides technical advice and prepares specifications for network designs. These engineers have in-depth computer knowledge and knowledge of satellite voice and video transmission devices.

RADARSAT-1 control antenna at the John H. Chapman Space Centre  in Longueuil, Quebec.	Technicians, Georges Voulelikas (EMS) and James Crean (Hugues), work on a communication antenna of the MSAT M1 satellite at the David Florida Laboratory.

Electrical

Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications engineers carry out and lead research to assess electronic communication systems used to transmit sound, images and digital data through copper and fiber optic cables and satellites. As part of their research, telecommunications engineers may develop specific systems and application software, prepare cost estimates and specifications, establish maintenance and operating standards and identify the causes of electronic equipment failures, using other research.

Because of their electronics training, telecommunications engineers may specialize in the following areas:

Implementation Engineer, Data Transmission Systems
These engineers develop new satellite transmission systems, buy equipment and software to carry out projects, review design details and test equipment.

Telecommunications Maintenance Engineers
They coordinate communication traffic in space and manage traffic among satellites, Earth stations and terrestrial networks.

Antenna Engineers
They oversee the proper functioning of special-purpose satellite antenna and ensure that beams are accurately directed so as to ensure good images of Earth and good communication around the world.

Profile
	Name: Claude Chevalier Education: Master's in Electronics Engineering Occupation: Electronics Engineer Workplace: National Optics Institute, Québec, QC
Claude works at the National Optics Institute, a research centre. He develops electronic circuits for satellites that must be radiation resistant and withstand temperature variations in space and launch vibrations. The circuits have to be reliable, because once in space, it's a long way back for repairs! What sparked his interest in science? When I was a child, I played with electronic building sets that allowed me to build things such as radios. I think that this is the source of my passion. Claude's advice: It's difficult to know what you want to do for the rest of your life at 17, but there are some things that we know about ourselves that could help us decide. For example, if you don't like memorizing things, don't become a lawyer, and if you can't grasp abstract notions, psychology isn't for you. If you're logical, then maybe engineering is the way to go.