Can you help me find an engineering job in Los Angeles?

November 19, 2008 11:33 PM

Can you help guide me in finding a mechanical engineering job after graduation?

Our economy is (pardon my language) in the shitter. But I don't want to be. I graduate in December of this year with a degree in mechanical engineering. Meanwhile, the automotive industry is on the brink and people are getting laid off like it's the hot thing to do.

I'm looking for a relatively stable job in the metro Los Angeles area (but am very willing to leave LA if the opportunity is there, particularly Arizona or even Nevada). I've checked out many of the usual suspects--big defense, aerospace, utilities, as well as some government (local and federal) agencies and departments. I want to make decent money while not worrying too much about getting laid off. Any ideas? Can you think of any stable industries or companies that aren't on the "beaten path?" Somebody who's hiring? I'm not saying stability is the key to my happiness...but it helps.

Keep in mind I've got a special little lady in my life, so I can't just take off to some shithole of a little city out in the middle of nowhere. She has to be able to find a job, too.

posted by rybreadmed to work & money (3 comments total)

You can try looking at green energy companies. I'm not sure how many there are in LA (I know that industry is growing in San Diego and San Francisco), but there's a renewed push for wind turbines, efficient cars, and cool stuff like that, that's probably going to get some decent government funding during the Obama administration.

Looking at your previous question, it seems you have an MBA as well. Try looking around for startups in the renewable energy arena and see if you can pitch yourself as both a helpful engineer and business person. (Ideally, these startups secured their funding at least six months ago. They do exist. Don't join anything that hasn't already gotten funding, because the VCs are all tightening their belts right now)
posted by olinerd at 4:26 AM on November 20, 2008

Defense and aerospace engineering jobs are relatively recession-proof - when the economy is good, the DoD throws a lot of money at R&D firms to develop new concepts and ideas. When the economy is bad, the DoD throws a lot of money at R&D firms to overhaul aging equipment.

I can't give you more specific advice unless you tell me what, exactly, you want to do. If you just want any engineering job you can get, then I can recommend a few firms in San Antonio and Houston that operate primarily in petroleum and "green" energy (two that I don't see on your list).
posted by muddgirl at 9:54 AM on November 20, 2008

I'm down for almost anything: energy, defense, aerospace. I'd like to stay away from automotive and automotive related (at least for the next 6 months). I'd love to hear your suggestions or recommendations.

One of the big attractions that the big well-funded defense and aerospace companies hold for me is their access to resources and tools. In my current job, if we need something (such as some rather expensive CFD software), the answer most of the time is a big fat, "No." And then marketing, of course, gets twice that amount of money for some bullshit event that does nothing to help the company. I like the idea of having access to powerful computers and software, as well as libraries of data that will help me with my job. The smaller green start-ups may be lacking in this department...But I don't know. As I said, I'm open to anything.

And thanks for the suggestions so far...
posted by rybreadmed at 11:55 PM on November 20, 2008