[Ramesh salvi]

I’m an aerospace engineering major but also heavily interested in software engineering. I’ve had an intro and also an advanced programming class (basically OOP class using c++ and covering pointers, classes, STL containers etc) along with the basic aerospace classes (Structures, fluids etc). The issue is, I think I prefer and I’m probably better at the software side of things but I’m not sure if I “know” enough software compared to a pure CS major to be trusted with writing software in industry. Also, I haven’t taken an class in data staructures/algorithms class, which I’m pretty sure is huge for software engineers. So has any aerospace major/engineer on here been able to get to the software roles in the aerospace industry and if you have, please how did you get there? Did you find that it was hard to get a placement/job because of your aerospace background?

[RichardPearse]

I can't comment on the aerospace side of things, but from a software industry perspective a CS degree is not necessarily the only (or best) route in. The main reason being that pure computer science is quite theoretical and abstract; it often teaches you very little about how to actually solve software development challenges. It probably doesn't hurt to have a CS degree, but it's not necessarily a problem to not have one.

Practical experience, aptitude and practical rather than degree qualifications (or a practical degree) can count for a lot in software development. It's one of the few highly paid (relatively), specialised professional fields where you can actually get by with no formal qualifications; try that with medicine, law, civil engineering etc. This is both a good and bad thing.

Perhaps you could pick up an internship somewhere? Trig Avionics apparently have them, though you don't say if you're UK based.

[VRB_20kt]

CS degrees cover a lot of low level stuff that's not needed in everyday C++ etc. Good high-level programmers are a valuable commodity. Writing tight, error-free code quickly is a great skill. Just be aware that in some companies analysis is separated from programming. If it's problem solving you like then you might want to head towards analysis. If you take pleasure in elegant, functional, well annotated code then companies will welcome you with open arms as a programmer.

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[chipmeisterc]

Hi Ramesh,

Welcome to the Forums!

When looking to hire software engineers I've found that a CS degree alone is often of little indication as to a candidates programming abilities, therefore I wouldn't let not having one put you off if you are interested in pursing a career in software development. You might have to work a little harder to get a foot in the door, however, that you have an engineering degree will I'm sure be enough to pique an employees interest provided you have a solid portfolio with which to demonstrate your programming abilities.

The best way to develop your programming skills is of course to start writing software so I suggest you pick very problems to try and solve with your programming and then learn along the way. You will find that your knowledge of data structures/algorithms/design patterns then tends to grow out of necessity as you look to try and find efficient ways to solve a particular problem. There are fantastic resources these days online, including YouTube.

I *highly* recommend the book Effective C++ which really is a must read for anyone serious about working with the language.
I do however also add a word of caution that as good as C++ is for developing good programming skills, it can present a barrier to learning vs other higher level languages. Do not be afraid to consider using other languages such as Python if wanting to play around with learning various programming paradigms. It isn't cheating.

I also highly recommend that you stick with the aerospace engineering if you can. There is certainly a huge amount of crossover between both skill sets and being good at both will make you highly employable.

I own a small games/simulation development studio and we are currently developing a PC based Bush Flying Simulator. A solid programmer with a strong aeronautical engineering background is the holy grail for us.

Similarly, prior to working on the Flight Sim we did a lot of simulation consultancy work with a Racing Team. It soon became apparent how important it was that their design engineers have good programming fundamentals to get their jobs done.

Best of luck - happy to chat more via PM if I can be of any assistance.

[Dusty_B]

I’d suggest looking at Software Engineering rather than Computer Science. From a software / career perspective it will keep you on the software rather than hardware side, and on the ethics/problem solving/quality/management side rather than the code warrior side of the business - from an aerospace perspective I think this will be more valuable.

[morticiaskeeper]

As CM says, Python is a good and particularly fast way to learn the ways of doing things. Although C++ is probably what you will eventually use, getting the basic methods is far easier with Python.

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[riverrock]

The software company I work for occasionally employ people who have relevant experience but don't have an appropriate degree.
In opposition to that, I was offered a job programming a pilot's UI by BAE (turned it down for my current role, which in hindsight was a good idea as that department in BAE was subsequently disbanded) because of my Internet Computer Science degree.

There is no one path.

The little exposure I've had to aeronautical computing suggests that high level languages (C#, Java) aren't generally used, so instead your into C, C++, ADA (I hear realtime Java is around but few applications so far) . Items need to be real time and rock solid (safety critical) so the style of programming is different.

Do what you enjoy!

[Genghis the Engineer]

I graduated in aerospace engineering 26 years ago.

More people I graduated with ended up in software / IT roles, than in core aerospace engineering roles.

So long as you have the programming / coding skills, I think you have as good a chance of getting a software development role as anybody else.

G

[GAFlyer4Fun]

Timing is everything as it can be difficult for very experienced successful aerospace software engineers to get aerospace software jobs!

If you find yourself between jobs, the longer you are out of the industry the harder it is to get back in. I got to a point where I had to do a career change to another area of software engineering where jobs were advertised and nobody was interested as I did not have 3-5 years recent industry experience of the newly acquired software skills or in their sector of the market.

[joe-fbs]

Ramesh, I have sent you an email.