Careers with STEM: Engineering 2023

CAREERS

TERM 3, 2023

withSTEM

™

Engineering

WATCH a day-in-thelife of engineer Brooke Jones

Help people with paralysis

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Build green energy

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Future job: space traffic controller p28

graduate engineer

CAREERS with STEM.COM AI & ROBOTICS + HEALTH + CLIMATE + MEGASTRUCTURES + AEROSPACE + AVIATION

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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CRICOS Provider 00002J | FSE58352

CAN SEND YOUR CAREER INTO ORBIT

Would you like to launch an exciting career in Australia’s growing space industry?

Macquarie’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) can propel your career into orbit by allowing you to specialise in civil, electrical and electronic, mechanical, mechatronic or software engineering.

This degree uniquely combines a solid theoretical foundation with practical skills development and industry experience.

You’ll enhance your experience by joining groups such as the student-led Macquarie Orbital, which has been operating a satellite ground station via the Space Operations Centre in the School of Engineering since 2020. They are currently designing and developing the University’s first satellite, MQube-1, and exploring the potential of growing plants in space.

Ready to aim for the stars? Learn more at mq.edu.au/study/find-a-course/engineering/_

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ENGINEERING

CONTENTS

What’s inside?

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Upfront..

s All the tips and hack maybe needed to get fromne g to yasssss for engi erin P6 Think like an engineer Plus, things out engineers don’t think ab

a P8 Can’t decidenion c

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P8 major? Don’t pa P9 STEM employers team up ing P10 An engineer grad at CBA on allesthe fun social activiti gineer P11 Meet an en5G in working on the your phone P12 10 surprisireng engineering ca ers.

= STEM +giX neering (STEM) Combine en to with your passion (+ X) reer discover your dream ca Engineering + …

P15 AI & Robsotaricescoming…

Our new overlord te us through or will engineers naviga the age of AI? P18

Spoiler: it’s not all hard hats

P13 If uni’s notll your thing, you’ want to read this inspiring profile P14 Tips and ads advice from gr who’ve been there, studied that

P18 Health

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You can use engineering smarts for good, like designing a brighter future for people with paralysis

P22 Climate

rness nature’s Engineers will help us ha anet r pl power and build a greene

tures P25 Megastrucer ing now, you If you study engine the big could end up working on builds of the future

P32

P28 Aerospacelogy to space

From drone techno nger the limit tourism, the sky’s no lo for aerospace careers

Why engineering?

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n the wake of Australia’s con truction boom, people with engineering skills remain in high demand, but not just in traditional building; the indust ry is innovating to help meet challenges such as clim ate change, our ageing popula tion and growing cities.

Engineers of the future will utilise AI, robotics, quantum tech and automation to do everything from delivering bet ter healthcare to cut ting car bon emissions.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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P32 Aviation that will open doors

The qualifications ound the world to jobs that will fly you ar

ur own P36 Design yone ering aerospace engi mission plan

FOREWORD

d e d e e n s r e v l o Problem-s Engineering careers are changing, and so too the types of skills employers are looking for

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s in law and hen I started my studie ined I’d work commerce, I never imag y. But it was for a technology compan that kicked off my IBM’s graduate program th that would take career and led me on a pa . me all around the world es has been the idea rol my all ing Underpinn ve problems. Now of using technology to sol ssage to the that I’m at Telstra, my me g graduates we thousands of engineerin it’s not just about the employ is to remember technica l aspects. in the world who can There are lots of people need people who identify problems, but we And if you can can actua lly solve them. ills with a knowledge combine your STEM sk y to communicate of business and an abilit ntage when it comes well, you’l l have an adva to do great things. to working with others engineer at Telstra If you had worked as an st likely have been in 20 years ago, it would mo

lynn currie

Executive, Telstra

teamwork, problemsolving and collaboration are all key attributes” mechanica l engineerin g. Today, we have thousands of software en gineers working alongside data scientists, business leaders and network engineers on pro jects that help mi llions of people. Team work, problem-solving and collaboration are all key attributes, along with the STEM skills tha t come with study ing maths and physics at sch ool.

In this magazine you’l l meet people solving problems in every thing from brain healt h to renewable energ y. I’m esp ecial ly inspired by all the young women we see signing up for software and network en gineering roles.

I hope you’l l be inspired to join them!

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Lynn Currie Executive Financial Se rvices Industry, Telstra Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing / Management), University of Otago Executive Program, Harvard Business School

Graduate, Sales Manager and Client Director, IBM

MIT short program

Business Development Executive, IBM

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Company Founder Executive, Telstra

ENGINEERING

UPFRONT

r e e n i g n e n a e k i Think l

It’s no surprise that an engineer’s brain is full of innovation and STEM smarts – but there’s way more to engineering than that

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adlines, side from stressing over de freshest tech, the use projects and how to tty cool and engineers hoard some pre e tak a look inside diverse skill sets. Here, we , site or anything the mind of a civil, software engineer! – Cassie Steel

Creativity It’s not just artists and musici ans who have to flex the left side of their brains: cre ativity is crucial for problem-solving – something engineers do every single day! Whether their spe cialisation is tech, energy, robotics or constructio n, thinking up out-of-the-box solutions is a huge part of the gig.

Maths

bability that if you stick with Like any next-gen gig, the pro dbye to maths is pretty low! engineering you can say goo requisites for almost every Maths and data skills are pre , in 2023 it’s less about engineering role going. Luckily re about coding, developing, snoozy spreadsheets and mo analytics. stats, data science and social

Things engineers don’t think about...

Communication Being an engineer doesn’t me an working solo all day. Chatting to people – and navigating different personalities – requires seriou s communication smarts. So embrace those gro up assignments because once you graduate, those collaboration skills will be handier than a har d hat.

Why they studied engineering

Even if you don’t become an engineer, your engineering skills will be useful in any role.

An ‘X’

er to wipe their minds of work It’s super healthy for an engine n, hobby or random interest. and focus on their ‘X’: a passio be the key to kicking career And finding your ‘thing’ could la involves taking your fave goals too! The STEM + X formu adding it to your passion (the STEM subject (engineering) and career that’s perfectly you. environment, say) to create a

Why there aren’t any jobs

Engineers are up there with Australia’s most in-demand professionals. No need to stress over job opportunities.

Tech Fluent in everything, much?

Depending on your speciality, niche hard ski lls such as Python, PowerPoint, Excel, soc ial media, data analytics, advanced res earch and statistics are up there with the advanced innovation smarts of an engine ering grad.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Why robots have taken their jobs

Engineering is future-proof.

Engineers will be creating the AI, not competing with it.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

TikTok

feeds are ineer and a TikTok star? Our Who says you can’t be an eng ing their /film ing har g/s g and tweetin full of engineers doing their thin ts. oun acc for a list of our fave work days. Head to page 36

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YOUR CAREER YOUR WAY Your career can take a variety of twists and turns, steps and stages. yourcareer.gov.au can help you make informed decisions about your learning, training and career development.

Know what you want to do when you finish school?

Got plans to do some study or training, start working, or take a gap year?

Download the School Leavers Information Kit for information about: • study or training options to upskill • financial support for further study • how to nail a job interview

yourcareer.gov.au/schoolleaver

• and more!

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ENGINEERING

melinda jeffery

T

Certificate IV in Engineering

CNC Machinist, Hargo Engineering

ck in a classroom he thought of three years stu led Melinda to drop environment at uni almost t some helpful out of school in Year 12. Bu work experience got career advice and hands- on k in the classroom: her through. Today, she’s bac cher! this time around as the tea was always going to “Everyone was telling me I was the only pathway go to uni, so I thought that was good at school,” available for someone who Melinda says. ject workload with She signed up for a heavy sub ering scholarship, and the aim of get ting an engine k. “Halfway through then things all came unstuc n’t want to go to uni; Year 12, I realised I really did ssroom for the nex t I didn’t want to sit in the cla a says. three years studying,” Melind a spent the last With school suppor t, Melind one day a week in months of Year 12 working This made it easier for a local engineering factor y. when she finished. her to transition into a trade m on 11 November, “I had my final chemistry exa d my apprenticeship. and on 12 November I starte and I was happy to I knew what I was get ting into do it,” she says. stralian Apprentice of In 2014, she was named Au ining Awards. the Year at the Australian Tra

As her career progressed, Me linda says she wanted to do more to mentor and tea ch new apprentices coming into the trade, but tha t wasn’t always feasible on the job.

“Then I got a call from one of my teachers at TAFE and they said: ‘How wo uld you like to try your hand at teaching?’ An d I said: ‘Yeah, let ’s give it a try’,” she rec alls.

“I started off as a casual, jus t doing night classes. And after I did tha t for six months, I realised I loved it.” – Charis Palmer

i thought uni was the only pathway”

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Engineering Trades Teacher, Swinburne University of Technology CNC Programmer and Operator, Harrop Engineering

engineering trades teacher

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

tional pathway and became a ca vo a e os ch e sh so i un on Melinda Jeffery wasn’t keen to have successful careers w ho ers oth es ch tea w no e star apprentice instead. Sh

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Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade

ENGINEERING+NATIONAL CAREERS INSTITUTE

A headstart to success

UPFRONT

y a w n w o r u Go yo

Explore becoming an engineer. to s th pa ny ma e ar There

your options here!

team uni So you want to get an engineering degree? Awesome! A good first step is to figure out what you want to specialise in.

Engineering majors include:

• Aerospace

VET is for me

• Chemical

Not keen on going to uni or want a more hands-on engineering gig?

Head to TAFE to skill up in areas such as fabrication, welding, machinery and metal work. You could also complete a…

• Civil • Environmental • Electrical

• Certificate I in Engineering

• Mechanical

and become a metal engineering process worker

• Mechatronic

• Certificate II in Engineering

• Quantum

and become a jewellery maker

• Renewable energy

• Certificate IV in Engineering

• Telecommunications

and become an advanced fabrication technician

Once you’ve decided on a major, you can research which universities offer your chosen speciality. When you’ve found your dream qualification, take note of any entry requirements it might have. Lots of engineering degrees require that you’ve studied Year 12 physics and maths (usually extension 1).

• Diploma of Engineering – Technical and become an engineering technologist

• Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) and become a mechanical engineering technician

SHUTTERSTOCK

Can’t decide on a major?

The benefits

There are many pros to choosing a VET pathway: qualifications are cheaper (or free!) and take less time to complete than a bachelor’s degree, plus you’ll learn practical skills that will make you stand out when applying for jobs!

Don’t panic! Some unis, including UNSW, RMIT, University of Wollongong and The University of Queensland, offer a flexible first year option. This means you can explore different specialisations through electives in your first year before locking in a major.

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ENGINEERING

Technology Graduate / Develope r, Commonwealth Bank

ENGINEERING+COMMONWEALTH BANK

Fun and flexible

Pranavi Gangapuri tech nology graduate

Pranavi Gangapuri loves the diversity of engineering and the fun social activities that her graduate role offers

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Biomedical Engineering Intern, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

University Innovation Fellows program, Stanford University d.school

d biolog y and n high school, Pranavi enjoye super into IT so chemistry, but she was also e and tech in was keen to combine scienc her future career.

Engineering Her Bachelor of Biomedical today Pranavi delivered on both fronts, but a graduate as flexes her skills even more th Bank (CBA). eal developer at the Commonw code, working as A typical day involves writing umentation. And par t of a team and writing doc ucture of CBA’s tech Pranavi’s a big fan of the str graduate program. graduates and “I work with other awesome amazing race, participate in activities like the ,” Pranavi says. trivia nights and social events

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice, UTS

Pranavi encourages studen ts to explore dif ferent engineering subjec ts by doing online courses or activities readily available from universities such as Harvard.

“The field of STEM and spe cifically engineering is ver y diverse!” she says. “There are some cool and really inte resting spaces arising with artificial intellig ence, machine learning and data analysis bei ng combined with sof tware development.”

Pranavi also loves volunteer ing for educational events, including speaking to young people in school, especially girls, about the importance of STEM educat ion. She credits her STEM study with teaching her about the importance of always asking questions, even if you feel awkward about doi ng so.

“Sometimes what you think are silly questions are actually really important to be raised!”

– Charis Palmer

WATCH Pranavi talk about how she got her job at CBA

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Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering, UTS

LAUREN TROMPP

sometimes what yous tion think are silly ques are actually really ” important to be raised

ENGINEERING+TELSTRA

Internship, Rio Tinto

Internship, Boeing

Brooke Jones has forged a successful engineering career while simultaneously following her passion for sport

Graduate Network Software Specialist, Telstra

a j n i n s k r o w t Ne

BEN ASHMOLE

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specialist at s a grad network software Brooke Telstra, a typical day for ng-edge tti cu on ng involves worki Telstra’s 5G at , ots rob technology, including Gold Coast.

Innovation Centre on the ts while also “I work on multiple projec to showcase engaging with customers network what Telstra’s emerging s. say e sh ,” technologies are s ninja now, but ork tw ne She might be a heart set on sport Brooke initially had her herapist. She even and a career as a physiot bjects at the start of dropped some STEM su weeks of not doing Year 11. “But within two to miss those classes maths subjects I started and physics,” she and swapped into maths of my final year of says. “Then, by the start ed I wanted to study high school, I had decid engineering.” ooke managed to After finishing school, Br s, taking a gap year lock in both her passion before moving from to work and save money ere she completed Tasmania to Brisbane wh and Recreation. a Certificate III in Sport and managed to “I still do athletics today iversity, which keep training during un d family in helped me to find a secon s.

Brisbane,” Brooke say

While completing her stu dies, Brooke did internships at Rio Tinto and Boeing. Both helped her land her curre nt gig as a network software specialist at Te lstra.

“I’m always learning,” Br ooke says. “I have the ability to gain experie nce from some of the best in the business , and since Telstra is a telecommunications lea der, I’m often working on initiatives tha t haven’t been achieved before.”

Brooke has also been inv olved in the Girls in Tech event, a collabora tion between Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank.

“It meant a lot to me to de velop something that lit a spark in students . It’s really rewarding to be able to sh ow the cool work women in technology do and excite others into taking the same path” – Charis Palmer

Certificate III in Sport and Recreation

graduate network software specialist

Bachelor of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering (Honours), University of Queensland

brooke jones

i have the ability to some gain experience from ness” of the best in the busi 11

ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+COMMONWEALTH BANK & TELSTRA

STEM employers team up The Commonwealth Bank and Telstra join forces to address an issue affecting millions of Australians

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wo of the biggest employers of graduates in the country, the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and Telstra collectively serve millions of Australians every day. Sometimes they team up to solve big problems, meaning as a graduate working for either company you could be part of some pretty exciting nation-changing projects!

Scam busters at CBA or f you’re a software engineer ts you Telstra, one of the new projec icator, could be a part of is Scam Ind data and a new tech solution that uses ncial AI to detect and prevent fina ur. occ n eve scams before they lia – Scams are a big deal in Austra t cos e y’v in the last year alone the .

Australians over $3 billion started More than 60% of scams are stopping via text message or phone, so n get the scammers before they eve big a ke ma can to your phone a team difference. Doing so will require are o wh s ert of graduates and exp ering skilled in data science, engine

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and IT. stra, “As a software engineer at Tel be ht this is the kind of job you mig ping the hel ly ual act ’re you doing where community,” says Lynn Currie, Industry executive, Financial Services at Telstra.

Getting girls into tec h

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E

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

very year, CBA and Telstra par tner up to run Girls in Tech, a Sydney event featuring demos, talks, works hops and heaps of inspo for you ng women considering a career in STEM. At Girls in Tech, students get to hear from superstars like engineering professor Fatemeh Salehi, wh ose work is helping to advanc e new energy technologies for clean renew able fuels such as green hyd rog en.

Graduates like Telstra netwo rk software specialist Brooke Jones (see page 11) get to be involved on the day, encouraging and inspiring the next generation of talented engine ers.

“It is really rewarding to be abl e to show the cool work that women in technology can do and excite others into taking the same pat h,” Brooke says.

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UPFRONT

Not your average engineer If you think engineering means rocking a hard hat all the time, think again!

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he engineering skills you gain from qualifications and degrees can set you up to work in all kinds of places: outdoors, at live events, in the classroom and even in space. Here are 10 surprising careers involving the ‘E’ in STEM that we think everyone should know about.

Virtual reality engineer

Jewellery maker necklaces, earrings, Designs, makes and repairs ng metals and gems. bracelets and rings, usually usi ineering, TAFE NSW Get there: Certificate II in Eng

Brings virtual reality environments to life through coding so users can interact with them.

Get there: Bachelor of Software Engineering (Hons), University of South Australia

Astronaut Has a range of space duties , including piloting spacecraf t and con ducting experiments and maintenan ce.

Get there: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, then apply to an overseas space program for training (though you must be a citizen of that countr y to be eligible)

STEM educator Teaches students science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, usually specialising in one area.

Get there: Master of Teaching (Secondary) STEM, Western Sydney University

Live sound engineer ipment at live Installs and operates sound equ other events. and s concerts, theatre production Get there: Diploma of Music (Sound Production), TAFE SA

Patent examiner Assesses written reports and descriptions about new inventions to see if they comply with legal requirements.

Get there: Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Sports engineer Designs and develops new sports equipment and tech that will be useful for athletes and sports teams.

Get there: Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical, Hons), The University of Adelaide

SHUTTERSTOCK

Plans, coordinates and contro ls the operation and maintenance of a ship’s equipment and plants.

Get there: Advanced Diplom a of Marine Engineering, TAFE WA

Mechanical fitter

Draftsperson m and creates Works in a construction tea building designs. technical drawings for new Engineering Get there: Certificate IV in Drafting, TAFE Queensland

Marine engineer

Builds, installs and repairs heavy machinery, such as tractors, trucks and excavators.

Get there: Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, TAFE NSW

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ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+AI & ROBOTICS

E R U T U F E H T CODING

eers are going to play The age of AI is here, and engin through it a crucial role in navigating us

Did you know?

Revenue in Austr al ia’s robotics market is projecte d to reach a hefty $860 m ill ion in 2023, and the futu re is even br ighter. By 2027, that nu mber is ex pected to cli mb to $1 bi llion than ks to a stead y grow th ra te of 3.9% ever y year.

Robot whisperers wanted!

Check out these top five careers that integrate robotics and AI in engineering:

1Chatbot engineer:

Future job alert!

Develop and maintain AI systems that mimic human conversation. You’ll need strong skills in coding and natural language processing.

Here’s a glimpse of a possible future role that doesn’t (quite) exist yet...

The job: Prompt engineer er What is it? A prompt engine the ne -tu fine and could design prompts given to AI systems and (such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT re mo Google’s Bard) to get accurate, helpful and appropriate responses.

Skills: This job might require a mix of linguistics, computer y science and even psycholog or sociology. You’ll need to understand not just human language, but also how computers can best mimic it. oft Who’s hiring? OpenAI, Micros s, one s iou obv the and Google are w. but the list will gro

2

Machine learning specialist: Enjoy solving

puzzles? In this job, you’ll be teaching computers to learn from data – think advanced algorithms and statistical modelling.

3Automation engineer:

In this gig you’ll design, program, simulate and test robotic machines. Get ready to learn about system integration and industrial control systems.

Help others understand complex AI concepts. Strong communication and patience are key.

4AI educator:

change 5Process engineer:

SHUTTERSTOCK

You’ll look at how robots can improve existing systems and need a keen eye for detail and problem-solving skills.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

What’s ChatGPT and w ho built it?

Heard of ChatGPT, the

latest big thing in AI, but not sure what it’s all about? Who better to ask than the AI itself!

AI-generated response: Hi, I’m ChatGPT! I’m a product of OpenAI, a sophisticated AI system designed to mimic hum an-like text. It took a team of div erse engineers to create me. Software engineers worked on my coding, while ma chine learning specialists taught me to learn from billions of sentences. Na tural language processing engineers helped me understand and generate hum an language. And data engineers managed the ma ssive amounts of data I was tra ine d on. I’m a perfect example of what a car eer in robotics and AI might lea d to! – Gemma Chilton

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START YOUR CAREER HERE ENGINEERING + AI AND ROBOTICS + STUDY UNDERGRAD Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics), Monash University Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) / Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, The University of Adelaide

Bot business

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, QUT

Sarah Eisenmenger mixes engineering, robotics and AI with business to help close the STEM gap in schools

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s business an you guess what a robotic high school was? in t jec founder’s favourite sub nted to be an English! Sarah knew she wa – she even founded engineer during school though T Robotics, when she her ver y own company, ZES was just 16. ah is an advocate Through ZEST Robotics, Sar for females in STEM. engineering, “I organise and deliver quality girls through to ion science and robotics educat ,” nts she explains. hands-on workshops and eve s, industry and Sarah also speaks to school ance of establishing government about the import unities for girls to more female-focused opport s. discover STEM inside school is what she calls the job her The coolest par t of pens when a student ‘lightbulb moment’, which hap h a coding concept who has been struggling wit ir code is or isn’t finally understands why the working for them.

some of the most valuable parts of the learning experience are the communities”

Sarah Eisenmenger company founder

“This is an important mome nt in the learning journey because it shows tha t through resilience, many things are possible!”

Sarah believes STEM teache s strong problemsolving skills, which have bee n important in every aspect of her life. She is also excited about the upcoming opportunities for robotics and AI to be applied in many industries.

As someone who’s passionat e about both business and engineering, it was a no-brainer for Sarah to study a Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Engineering at QUT. On going to uni, she says: “I have discovered that som e of the most valuable par ts of the learning experie nce are the communities and connections you build wh ile studying. Join student clubs, attend univer sity events and ask lots of questions!”

As for the future, she would love to undertake fur ther study in AI and comple te a Master of Robotics and Artificial Intellig ence at QUT. She also wants to continue to grow ZES T Robotics and reduce the gender gap in STEM. – Lou ise Meers

Bachelor of Business (Management) / Bach Engineering (Mechatr elor of onics) (Honours), QU T

Founder, Zest Robotics

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) (Honours), UNSW VET COURSES Certificate II in Electrotechnology, TAFE NSW Certificate IV in Integrated Technologies (Robotics Control Systems), TAFE WA

ENGINEERING + AI AND ROBOTICS + JOBS Automation engineer $56K–$124K Data engineer $67K–$133K Machine learning engineer $59K–$141K Software engineer $59K–$122K* Salaries according to payscale.com

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ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+AI & ROBOTICS+EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY

Application engineer Akshat Sharma’s curiosity and perseverance have seen him help other aspiring engineers towards a dream career like his

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planes and all ith his deep fascination for sky, Akshat was the things that soar through eye looking at the always going to have one ploring the depths of the clouds. But today he’s ex plication engineer at oceans in his role as an ap d robotics company artificial intelligence-base Advanced Navigation. state-of-the-art “I get to test and support r untethered technology, including ou derwater and fully autonomous un s. robot, Hydrus,” Akshat say ble drone rsi me sub Hydrus is a fully rveys su , ch ear used for undersea res ious ser e som and exploration. With it can , ard bo engineering and tech on the in ta gather high-resolution da oring coral nit mo it’s er ocean, wheth r reefs, capturing underwate ng offshore cti pe ins or y cinematograph wind turbines. wanted to be In school, Akshat initially ld, delved deeper into the fie a police officer. “But as I my forensics. During I became fascinated with covered the remarkable research on forensics, I dis scientists employ in their technologies that forensic riosity in the field of daily work, igniting my cu technology,” he says. rking with drone To land his dream gig wo d maths, physics and technology, Akshat studie

arma Akshat nSh engineer applicatio

chemistry at school and then computer systems engin eering at Edith Cowan University (ECU).

At uni, he became the fou nding president of the Engineer s Australia Student Society and is no w deputy chair at Young Engineers Austr alia, WA. Akshat says one of the mo st valuable lessons he learnt during his STEM stu dies was the importance of problem-solving and pe rseverance. “Having the ability to persist through setbacks, adapt strategies and analyse problems fro m various angles has proven invaluable.”

That early obsession with studying aircraft models and aerodynamics , borne of curiosity, is paying off for Akshat tod ay.

His advice to aspiring rob otics engineers? “Build a range of skills beyond just technical expertise and stay curious!” – Charis Pa lmer

build a range of skills beyond juste” technical expertis Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering, Edith Cowan University

Intern and solutions engineer, Nexxis

deputy chair, Young engineers australia, western australia

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Founding president, Engineers Australia Student Society, Edith Cowan University Application engineer, Advanced Navigation

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ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+HEALTH

All in the mind

works or you want to help ain br n ma hu the w ho in d ste If you’re intere career could be for you people, this new engineering

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r or shop hat if you could drive a ca your brain? online using nothing but inbra of se That’s the promi y ma it ile wh computer interfaces, and and ers rch resea sound like science fiction, . lity rea closer to engineers are bringing it ity tiv ac ctrical Connecting the brain’s ele ute ually a comp r to an external device, us lp some of the or robotic limb, could he ople worldwide more than 30 million pe who have paralysis. non-invasive Some of the devices are multiple wires. and look like a hat with surgery, with Others involve open-brain tly into delicate sensors implanted direc al signals and brain tissue to read neur te external devices. enable patients to opera taken by This is the approach being mputer co Neuralink, the US brainsk.

Mu n company founded by Elo One device from brain-com puter startup Synchron uses blood vesse ls to implant electrodes in the brain. In 2022, researchers placed the first implant int o the blood vessel of a patient who had lost their ability to move and speak due to amyotro phic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In early tria ls, patients were able to control a computer and complete daily tasks such as online bank ing, shopping and texting within a few month s of the procedure.

Building on some of these early breakthroughs will requir e coders, neurosurgeons and engin eers – a great career opportunity for those wh o want to use engineering to help chan ge people’s lives. – Charis Palmer

SHUTTERSTOCK

W ho’s hiring?

WATCH a soldier control a robot with his mind

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

s such as In the US, compa nie Meta (Facebook) Neurali nk and even s to work on eer gin are hiring en erfaces. bra in-computer int gineering more If it’s biomedical en e interested in, genera lly that you’r s such as nie pa com look to dtronic, Genera l Electric, Me d an L CS r, Coch lea ResMed.

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START YOUR CAREER HERE ENGINEERING + HEALTH + STUDY

Future jobs

UNDERGRAD Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Master of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW

Check out these careers that integrate engineering and medical science:

Biomedical engineer

Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Engineering Systems), University of Melbourne

If you love building things, then this job could see you tinkering with medical devices.

Clinical engineer

Want to work with patients? In this job you’ll be working on clinical trials of new medical technology.

Bachelor of Engineering (Research and Development) (Honours), ANU

Research engineer

Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering) (Honours), Monash University

Enjoy solving problems? In this job, you’ll be working with scientists and other engineers to identify and test new solutions.

VET COURSES Certificate III in Electronics and Communications, TAFE NSW Advanced Diploma of Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Institute of Technology

Soldiers + robots Some of the early funding for research into brain-computer interfaces came from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. And it’s no surprise the military is interested in how to apply the technology.

Australia’s Defence Innovation Hub is currently funding UTS research exploring how it can be used to improve the way soldiers interact with robotic systems during tactical missions.

At present, soldiers must look at a screen and use their hands to operate robotic platforms. If they could control a robot with just brain signals, it would mean they could keep their hands on their weapon, potentially enhancing their performance.

ENGINEERING + HEALTH + JOBS Biomedical engineer $55K–$92K Research engineer $62K–$130K Software engineer $59K–$118K*

AUSTRALIAN ARMY SOLDIER SERGEANT RANA CHANDAN FROM THE 1ST/15TH ROYAL NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS DURING A NOVEL BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACE DEMONSTRATION AT MAJURA TRAINING AREA, CANBERRA.

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SGT MATTHEW BICKERTON

*Salaries according to payscale.com

ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+HEALTH

Decoding brainwaves PhD student Daniel Leong has always dreamed of controlling devices with his mind

daniel leong engineering phd student

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inspired Daniel to uturistic movies and games g and delve deeper study biomedical engineerin a reality. into how to make his dream ool and studying sch h hig After graduating from ineering at the a Bachelor of Biomedical Eng iel moved to Sydney to University of Melbourne, Dan UTS Computational do a master’s degree at the er Interface Lab. Intelligence and Brain Comput worked on decoding For his master’s project, he ins produce when the signals that people’s bra example, whether thinking about navigation. For to go left or right. which uses a This led into his PhD project, control Defence robots brain-computer interface to d vehicles. such as drones and small lan ds to a specific Daniel says the system respon r wears a virtual reality stimulus in the brain. The use ere they want the robot headset and thinks about wh rface decodes the brain to go. The brain machine inte ssly to the robot. signal and transmits it wirele fence use, but could De “It’s been developed for lities,” Daniel says. also help people with disabi

for brain signal processing, coding skills are a must” Not just the br ain

Daniel specialises in brain signal processin g, but biomedical engineers also tap into the signa ls in other parts of the bo dy.

“Biosignal processin g is not just about brain signals, but mu scle signals and hear t signals too,” he says.

For brain signal proces sing, Daniel says codin g skills are a must, and it’s a good idea to ke ep up with the latest developme nts in AI and machine lea rn ing.

If you’re more intereste d in understanding ho w the brain works, neuroscie nce may be your perfe ct fit.

And there are plenty of opportunities to ma ke your mark in overcom ing the challenges of decoding brain signals to make mind-controlled devic es accessible to ever yone .

“We are still pretty far of f – this is ongoing research,” Daniel says . – Nadine Cranenburgh Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

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Master of Science (Biomedical Engineering), UTS

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PhD, UTS

ENGINEERING+HEALTH

in david lamicibk an biostatist

Healthy numbers

David Lambkin went from building parts for mining excavators to helping medical researchers, all with engineering

When David got talking to a medical researcher about his newfound intere st in statistics, he realise d it had very real application s in the health sector.

He later enrolled in a Ma ster of Biostatistics and, while studying, got a job with the Primary Health Network in Newcastle wo rking with data. “It got me used to some of the termi nology that’s used in som e of the medical fields.”

Today, David is a biostatis tician at the Hunter Medical Research Institu te, where he helps researchers figure out if one particular drug or he alth treatment is working bette r than another.

His advice to people just starting out? “Try to stay passionate about learning – when you’re still trying to figure out what’s going on and then it clicks, tha t’s when it becomes meaning ful.”

And remember: there are lots of paths to doing what you love! – Charis Palmer

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and building ith his obsession for LEGO nted to be an things, David always wa who also did extra engineer, but as someone learn more, he was never subjects at school just to career! going to have a one-track in mechatronics, a type At uni, David specialised l es robotics with electrica of engineering that combin and mechanical systems. sting experience, but “University was an intere in ily what I was expecting I guess it wasn’t necessar n.” s-o and not so hand that it was a lot of theory s rewarded with a job at But he persevered and wa y that did let him get his a manufacturing compan rts for big Caterpillar hands dirty – making pa es. trucks used on mining sit wnturn happened, do g nin mi When the 2015 ny others, was made David ’s job, along with ma again with a Graduate redundant, so he got busy and Commercialisation.

Certificate in Innovation diversify my skills a bit “I thought that if I could course had a statistical it would help me, but the e, ‘oh, that’s actually quite component and I was lik interesting’,” he says.

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics), University of Newcastle Community Resources and Health Directories Officer, Hunter New England & Central Coast Primary Health Network

university wasn’t necessarily what i was expecting”

Design engineer, Bradken

Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Commercialisation, University of Newcastle

Master of Biostatistics, University of Sydney

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Biostatistician, Hunter Medical Research Institute

ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+CLIMATE

A G N I R E E N I G N E W O R R O M O T R GREENE … d supercharging sustainability Harnessing nature’s power an engineers are saving the day

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issues we’ve s one of the biggest global is a hot topic ever faced, climate change us, engineers (pun intended). Luckily for world are stepping in Australia and around the skills and creativity up to the plate, using their ve solutions and to come up with innovati climate emergency technologies to combat the and help save our planet. nd or tapping into Think: harnessing the wi sun to generate the abundant power of the y. Revolutionising clean and renewable energ n with electric the world of transportatio g sustainable cities vehicles (EVs) or designin ncy and reduce our that prioritise energy efficie many ways carbon footprint, there are mate careers to help engineers can embrace cli build a better tomorrow. world involves Shaping a more sustainable onmental engineers innovation and skill. Envir

SHUTTERSTOCK

EDIF Y ENERGY, DARLING POIN

T SOLAR FARM

today — and in the future — will use STEM skills and modern technolo gies including AI, automation and alternative energy sources (such as solar, geothermal, hydro and wind) to slow down and reduce car bon emissions in the atmosphere. This is super important work that comes with a huge range of cool opportunities for engineers to work both in government and the private sector.

Engineers have been respo nsible for some of the greatest developments in society and have designed solutions to addre ss some of our planet’s most challenging problems. Now is a crucial time: their role in helping to bring about positive change ha s never been more important! – Danielle Lucas

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Solar energy supers tars Large-scale solar systems are on the rise, contributing to Aus tralia’s renewable and total ele generation and providing gre ctricity at climate career opportunities for engineers. One such system Darlington Point Solar Farm is the in the Riverina region of NSW. Containing nearly a million sol and providing green energy ar panels to over 110,000 homes, it’s one of the largest solar farms in the countr y!

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START YOUR CAREER HERE

FACT: Today, 36% of Austr electricity generation comesalia’s renewable energy, a figure from more than doubled sin that has ce 2017.

ENGINEERING + CLIMATE + STUDY Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental and Climate Solutions) (Honours), The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Renewable Power) (Honours), QUT

Sustainable city champions

Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (Honours), Monash University

Engineers are designing sustainable cities that prioritise energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints, and one stellar example can be found right here in Australia. Our biggest city, Melbourne, has become a leading city on climate action by introducing a range of sustainable engineering initiatives including green building designs, efficient public transport systems, green spaces and smart urban planning. The city has also made a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2040!

Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (Honours), UNSW

ENGINEERING + CLIMATE + JOBS Environmental engineer $59K–$106K Wastewater engineer $75K–$102K Sustainability officer $45K–$103K Environmental consultant $53K–$97K*

CHARGEFOX

*Salaries according to payscale.com

Driving change EVs are taking the streets by storm, with zero tailpipe emissions and a reduced dependence on fossil fuels. In Australia, engineers are playing a key role in building charging infrastructure networks, making it easier for EV owners to charge up and go the distance. Chargefox, an Aussie company, is building an ultra-rapid charging network across the country, allowing EV owners to recharge their vehicles in a flash.

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ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+CLIMATE: UNIVERSITY OF NSW

Statistically speaking Studying renewable energy has taken Ashleigh Nicholls to Germany where she gets to travel Europe and use the German language skills she learnt in school t for global consulting firm n her gig as an energy analys ineering skills to help the Baringa, Ashleigh uses her eng in ldorf, Germany, a world leader climate. She’s based in Dusse a train weekends she can jump on renewable energy, but on the countr y in minutes. and be in another European in the environment and then “I was always really interested “But ate change,” Ashleigh says. later in sustainability and clim .” ree deg ewable energy as a I hadn’t actually heard of ren h got a tour of the large solar At a UNSW open day, Ashleig , cool perspective and I was like array. “It really put it into a .” ‘yeah, that’s what I wanna do’ d German exchange due to nne pla a on out Having missed hts set on Germany for work.

COVID, Ashleigh had her sig at Baringa’s Sydney office, she Through friends who worked . Now, o had a German headquarters discovered the company als that ies ter bat o are investing in big Ashleigh advises clients wh e energy plants. work alongside large renewabl s ferent markets and regulation “I get to see how all the dif g to broader European are changing and respondin r regulations.” – Charis Palme

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Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Renewable Energy, UNSW

ashleigh nicholls

energy analyst

Mentor, UNSW Women in Engineering Society

Solar Farm System Analyst Internship, ITP Development

Energy Analyst, Baringa

UNSW Engineering

CRICOS CODE 00098G

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Mentor, Renewable Energy Society, UNSW

Big change

big builds Super structures are redefining urbanisation and creating a world with limitless potential fel Great Wall of China, the Eif hat do the pyramids, the rbour Bridge all have in Tower and the Sydney Ha es. ctures – pretty famous on common? They’re megastru e the giv d an ier to make people’s lives eas are s Engineers designed them eer gin en ng to look at. Today, civil world something interesti s, roads and tructure such as building still designing new infras re big builds per-focused on making su bridges, but now they’re hy ffy bility in mind. – Pippa Du are designed with sustaina

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Teamwork Civil engineers are the big thinkers when it comes to big builds, but they don’t do it alone: collaboration is key.

Here’s who’s on the team:

• Architects • Structural engineers • 3D designers • Environmental engineers • Town planners • Project managers

Mind blown!

Big 5

En gineers bu ilt an earthquake-proof br idge in Greece and it’s EP IC! Watch it here bit.ly/ 3kbr idge

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What are the megatrends for megabuilds? We’re glad you asked…

Population growth and urbanisation are all putting pressure on our environment and it’s the job of civil engineers to make our buildings and structures more sustainable and less impactful. Innovations such as 3D printing and integrated design techniques using building information modelling (BIM) allow engineers to explore the best ways to reduce waste and incorporate renewable materials into their designs. Digital project management software can save mega costs on megabuilds too, which means less waste on the ground from start to finish.

Housing developments in sustainable communities are being built with solar for future energy; wind turbines help to power cities; and renewable materials mean engineers can build more for less. There’s a lot going on and it’s pretty cool.

START YOUR CAREER HERE ENGINEERING + MEGA STRUCTURES + STUDY Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours), RMIT Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (Honours), UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Architectural and Structural) (Honours), The University of Adelaide Diploma of Engineering Infrastructure (Rail Specialisation), University of Tasmania

Go green

Vertical forests like the ones used for the Bosco Verticale development in Italy and One Central Park in Sydney help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by acting as natural climate controls. And because One Central Park has its own rainwater recycling factory on site, the plants pretty much water themselves.

In Melbourne, the Mernda Rail Extension project committed to planting two trees for every single tree that was removed during construction. It also used leftover materials from the project such as rocks and logs to build playground equipment and for walking and cycling tracks at the new stations.

ENGINEERING + MEGA STRUCTURES + JOBS Civil engineer $59K–$115K Environmental consultant $53K–$97K Structural engineer $60K–$102K* *Salaries according to payscale.com

Building the future

1. Eco-friendly windows 2. Solar energy 3. Zero-emission buildings 4. Wastewater management 5. Using BIM

Civil engineer s are coming up with exciting new ways to design the world we live in – they help to make it healthier (thanks to cleaner air from green buildings), more energy efficient and more renewable, which is excellent for our future.

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ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+MEGASTRUCTURES

Building bridges n for big vehicles Working with big desigere are plenty of is a big deal and th get involved opportunities to

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civil engineer says ade Lai knows transport; the ays are ageing, that while Australia’s roadw heavy lifters are vehicles such as big trucks and loads of opportunities growing. This means there are to designing for engineers when it comes m. “Anyone can be an infrastructure to suppor t the it,” Jade says. “Even if engineer – I really encourage ch out there.” But she you’re a woman, there’s so mu ering was in her future. wasn’t always so sure engine ferred graphics While at high school, Jade pre d subjects and was and maths over science-base an option for her at told engineering wouldn’t be re course and then uni. She tried an architectu her par tner offered her a commerce degree before d: ‘why don’t you try some sound advice. “He sai doing some research, engineering any way?’ After includes the built I realised engineering also down the route of environment, so that took me civil engineering.” g and eventually Jade transferred to engineerin a Bachelor of found her groove completing in civil engineering as Engineering at QUT majoring g and planning. After well as transport engineerin aight into a Master of graduating, she jumped str received the QUT Engineering Management and der ship scholarship.

Online Women in STEM Lea

jade lai graduate structural engineer

Now with her master’s degree almost complete, Jade works at the National He avy Vehicle Regulator.

The flexibility of QUT Online has allowed Jade to juggle work and study at the same time and apply what she’s learnt in the classr oom to her job. “We have the flexibility to choose the subject matter.”

When she’s not solving proble ms for Australia’s roadways, Jade likes to cha llenge herself by pounding the pavement… run ning!

What does she think about wh ile she’s exercising?

How much she likes to challen ge herself and be brave when things don’t wo rk out the first time.

“I feel like I’m finally where I’m meant to be,” she says. – Pippa Duffy

anyone can be an engineer – i really encourage it”

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering and Planning), QUT

Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland, Civil Engineering, Summer Program

Graduate structural engineer, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Master of Engineering Management, QUT Online

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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If you love variety like Abby Hutchins does, you might want to consider a career with an engineering consulting firm

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rom working on giant da m projects such as Sydney’s Warragamba, to visiting mega pipelines measuring more than two metres wide, Abby loves that no one project is the same as the next in her gig at global engineering firm WSP. “It’s never repetitive. You are always looking at a new problem and the re’s always a different type of solution to it. Hone stly, that’s the part I enjoy the most,” Abby say s.

Due to her love for solvin g problems and puzzles, Abby initially en rolled in a science degree after high school, but when she met some engineering students at uni, she realised she was in the wrong degre e!

“It takes time to learn ho w to study properly.

I didn’t completely get the hang of it until the end of my second year,” Ab by says.

“It also doesn’t matter wh ich degree you get into uni with – universitie s are flexible and give you the opportunity to change.”

To get her gig at WSP, Ab by initially applied for and landed an eight-we ek cadetship with

ENGINEERING+MEGASTRUCTURES: MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

Mix it up

n it takes time to lear ” how to study properly the firm, which turned into regular part-time work. Now that she’s a graduate, Abby enjoys working directly with clients.

“It’s one thing to work to meet your project manager’s goals and expectations, but a completely different one when you understand where the client’s coming from,” she says.

Abby now has her sights set on a project management role at WSP. “I enjoy the organisation and like keeping things to a budget and a schedule. Plus, I like working with people in terms of utilising their skills.”

Her career advice to students is to do what challenges you: “The most difficult tasks give the most rewarding results.” – Charis Palmer

abby hutchins

graduate mechanical engineer

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours), Macquarie University

Mechanical Engineering Intern, WSP

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Graduate Mechanical Engineer, WSP

ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+AEROSPACE

Your d a p h c n u a l to success

Electives checklist Choose these subjects in high school to kickstart your aerospace career:

✔ Physics ✔A dvanced maths ✔E ngineering studies

Reach for the Stars Unleash your potential with these awesome, futurefocused aerospace careers:

Aircraft systems engineer Work on the forefront of technology, integrating systems within commercial and military aircraft. Expect to grapple with avionics, hydraulics and more.

From drone technology to space tourism, the sky’s no longer the limit for aerospace careers

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nes that zip magine designing the pla kets that across our skies or the roc Welcome venture into the cosmos. a field that to the world of aerospace, hnology and combines creativity, tec adventure. plenty of outta-this-world eering gin en in Aerospace careers of aircraft, ep ke up span the creation and ms. You ste sy satellites and propulsion rin ep t for could be sketching the blu suring a satellite a state-of-the-art jet, en ing a propulsion stays in orbit or develop a spacecraft on system that will power its journey to Mars. ploring new But it’s not just about ex eers also play gin frontiers. Aerospace en r everyday ou a vital role in improving

Propulsion specialist

Immerse yourself in the world of jet engines and rocket thrusters. You’ll be optimising power while ensuring safety and efficiency.

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Spacecraft engineer

Engineering a greener sky Aerospace engineers are soaring to new heights to protect our environment. Check out some of the ways they’re reducing emissions and waste.

From satellites to interplanetary explorers, you’ll design, test and oversee these high-tech celestial travellers.

Lighter, stronger aircraft

Aeronautical analyst

Clearing air traffic congestion

Use your maths and engineering know-how to improve the performance of aircraft and spacecraft.

By streamlining air traffic control systems, engineers are ensuring fewer planes are left idling. This reduces unnecessary fuel burn and emissions, contributing to cleaner air for us all.

Defence engineer

Recycle, reuse, soar

Develop advanced technologies for national security, from supersonic jets to missile systems.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Engineers and materials scientists are innovating with advanced materials to build aircraft that are lighter yet stronger, meaning more fuel-efficient flights.

Engineers are figuring out better ways to dismantle and recycle old aircraft parts. By giving these components a new lease on life, we’re moving closer to zero waste in the aerospace industry.

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START YOUR CAREER HERE lives, from enhancing the planes we travel in, to developing satellites that aid in weather predictio n and global communications.

With national defence ag encies and private companies alike investing in this industry, there’s a co nstant demand for new ideas and soluti ons. Whether it’s designing more effici ent aircraft, pioneering space travel or enhancing national security, the op portunities in aerospace are as vast as the skies you’ll be working in. – Gemm a Chilton

Future job alert: Space traffic contro ller As space tra

vel becomes more com mon, managing orbital tra ffic could become crucial. Th ink air tra ffic control, but for satell ites an d spacecraft.

Th is role will dema nd strategic think ing, a deep un derstanding of physics and stron g commu nication sk ills.

Who’s hiring?

Start your aerospace career with these Aussie companies: Boeing Australia

Contribute to the design and production of some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

Airbus Group Australia Pacific Limited

Airbus is a leader in aerospace, crafting cutting-edge commercial and military aircraft.

BAE Systems Australia Holdings Limited

BAE Systems specialises in defence and security solutions.

Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia

Australia’s leading airlines need engineers to keep their fleets flying safely and efficiently.

ENGINEERING + AEROSPACE + STUDY Bachelor of Technology (Aeronautical), Edith Cowan University Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours), RMIT Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical Engineering) (Honours), The University of Sydney Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical) (Honours), UNSW Canberra

ENGINEERING + AEROSPACE + JOBS Aeronautical engineer $58K–$124K Aerospace engineer $61K–$147K Aerospace systems engineer $65K–$88K Propulsion engineer $70K–$123K* *Salaries according to payscale.com

Australian Defence Force / Defence Science and Technology Organisation

The ADF and DSTO provide a range of engineering and research roles for military aerospace.

Australian Space Agency

This is the place to be if you’re interested in space exploration.

CSIRO

Our national science organisation offers exciting research opportunities.

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ENGINEERING

Master of Space Engineering (ongoing), ADFA

engineering skills Mohamed uses his aerospace air and missile threats to help protect Australia from

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family moved to s a child, Mohamed and his de in Dar fur, oci Australia to escape the gen ide F-35 ngs Sudan. Today, as he works alo s etimes ask himself: fighter jets, he says he som ‘How is this even my life?’. ted in business Mohamed was initially interes high school teachers studies, but says one of his at something more thought he would be better d science and hands-on and recommende engineering technolog y. n hooked and that “Ever since then I have bee ring career in has helped me to launch a soa Defence,” he says. onics engineer in Mohamed’s job as an electr (RAAF) sees him the Royal Australian Air Force ple building the peo of working alongside a team and control ce RAAF’s capability in sur veillan Air and Missile ted systems as par t of the Integra Defence System. says there’s no As an aerospace engineer, he ce. better place to be than Defen challenging yet it’s : job the e “I absolutely lov nal friendships and rewarding, and the professio

mohamed

RAAF Officer Training School

electronics engineer

Systems Engineer, iAutomation

i absolutely love the job: it’s challenging yet rewarding”

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Aerospace, Hons), QUT

CPL MELINA YOUNG

engineering knowledge that I’m gaining are the most meaningful par ts,” Mo hamed says.

He uses science, technolog y, engineering and maths every day to assist wit h contract management, design review s and reporting.

Now, he’s on the way to com pleting a Master of Space Engineering throug h the Australian Defence Force Academy.

“With the exciting developm ents in the space industry, especially with the creation of the Australian Space Agency and the government’s investment in space, as a jun ior officer it is a great time to upskill in the direction of militar y space operations.” – Charis Palmer

FLYING OFFICER MOHAMED IS AN ELECTRONICS ENGINEER SUPPORTING AIR BATTLE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSURANCE AT SURVEILLANCE & CONTROL SYSTEMS PROGRAM OFFICE, RAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN, NEW SOUTH WALES.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

ABMS Integration Engineering and Technical, RAAF

ENGINEERING+AEROSPACE

s ie k s e h t g in d n e Def

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ENGINEERING+AEROSPACE

n emily ahster udent

physics phd

Time warp Emily Ahern works on atomic clocks which are super helpful in the race to space!

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desire to s a young child with a deep used to sit ily Em , understand the world and read lf she ok next to her parents’ bo s paid off ha sity curio the encyclopedia. Emily’s where SA NA e her to in life, and soon it will tak ek e 10-we she has secured an intensiv n Laboratory in lsio pu Pro internship at the Jet California. nt at the Emily, a physics PhD stude ected by sel s University of Adelaide, wa tiv era e Research Australia’s SmartSat Coop Her work involves Centre for the internship. satellites – clocks atomic clocks for use with king hand use the that instead of using a tic of atoms to measure vibrations or oscillations e, making them time. They’re super precis ere a satellite or even perfect for working out wh any point in time. a space probe might be at ysics and laser “There’s a lot of atomic ph I do,” Emily says. physics involved in what decent “And you also need a pretty ferent programming understanding of a few dif municate with the languages because we com clock via computers.” exceptional student Emily says she wasn’t an straight physics, but at school and didn’t study a physics elective in when she ended up doing degree, she loved it. her undergraduate science

Bachelor of Science, Theoretical Physics and Experimental Physics, University of Adelaide

She loved it so much that she ended up switching to a new degre e in physics.

“Unfortunately, I’d never planned to do physics, so I didn’t have the mathe matics prerequisites and I had to do a bridging course as well.”

Now, Emily works alongsid e engineers building devices for satell ites and she’s excited about how fast South Austr alia’s space industry is growing. “There are ple nty of jobs opening up,” Emily says.

With South Australia’s am bition to develop its satellite launching capabi lity, more careers are on the horizon.

Emily says students intere sted in a career in aerospace should stick wi th physics. “It’s not something that comes eas y to most people, but struggling doesn’t mean tha t you’re not suited to it. If you’re genuinely intere sted, talk to your teachers as they are more often than not very willing to help you through .” — Charis Palmer

there are plenty of jobs opening up ”in the space industry Bachelor of Science (physics) (Honours), University of Adelaide

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PhD Student, University of Adelaide

ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING+AVIATION

F F O E K A T R O READY F ft are in high, people who work on aircra up or d un gro the on it’s er Wheth

hot demand

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pilot is the last person needed to get a plane off the ground because before they hit the throttle, a huge team of flight test engineers, navigation system designers and aircraft architects have built and prepped the machine for take-off.

These aviation careers sound exotic but getting there isn’t: you need to be armed with a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, an engineering apprenticeship or a technical aeroskills course. These qualifications will open doors to jobs that literally fly you around the world.

Who’s hiring?

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Global giants like aeroplan e makers Boeing and Airbus, engine designe rs like Rolls Royce, and defence compa nies like Lockheed Martin are hunting for ne w employees who can build the next genera tion drone, plane or navigation system.

Then there are companie s such as Destinus, which is building a hypersonic plane fueled by clean hydrogen that will cut the time it takes to fly from Sydney to Am erica from 17 hours to just four. Propulsio n engineers at airlines around the world are looking at everything from hydrogen to biofuel to get planes off fossil fuel.

At home, Australia’s airfor ce and navy are keen to find people who can fix and fly helicopters – and run missi ons.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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START YOUR CAREER HERE ENGINEERING + AVIATION + STUDY

Your day job

or the If a pilot flies the planes – al tic au drones – what do aeron engineers or flight test specialists actually do?

An aeronautical engineer ne’s works at the start of a pla d the an ft cra air life, designing rt po sup components and the equipment inside. During inspect ll wi building process they uctural str the frames for cracks or der test un faults both in the lab and flight conditions. y-to-day is A flight test engineer’s da in planes while very different – they work pre-flight and they’re flying. They do the ons, and during post-flight cockpit inspecti in the cockpit, in the flight you’ll find them ning, heating and charge of ​​the air-conditio g the valves and oxygen safety, and pullin pilot can’t reach. levers that the pilot and cosystems Then you have navigation o go by avionics or engineers (who might als systems engineers).

Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical) (Honours), University of Sydney Bachelor of Aviation, Edith Cowan University

Of all these jobs, this particular branch of engineering perhaps offers the most opportunities to work in the space sector and on sat ellite launches.

Navigation systems engin eers handle the design and programming of all the electrical systems onboard air-going craft, from drones to spaceships and aeroplan es. A navigation or avionics engineer is respo nsible for the proper functioning of computer systems for communication, navigati on and guidance work. And because they can work in a variety of related industries in the commercial and defence aviation sectors, they’re in hot demand. – Rachel William son

Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical) (Honours) UNSW Canberra Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours), University of Queensland

ENGINEERING + AVIATION + JOBS Flight test engineer $110K–$131K Aeronautical engineer $58K–$122K Navigation systems engineer $52K–$155K Aircraft maintenance technician $69K average* *Salaries from payscale.com and indeed.com

ies Getting back to the sk

so ation engineers are suddenly avi y wh s son rea few a are There pandemic, the Australian with w, sought after: during the COsVID of thousands of jobs, but noain, aviation industry axed ten an ag d people keen to travel new planes entering fleets y. Qantas has announced an airlines are in a hiring frenz y, due to open in 2025, with the engineering training academpeople every year! capacity to train up to 300

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ENGINEERING

D

ative engineering aniel loves coming up with cre ed up designing solutions, which is how he end vide mobile a ‘stratoship’ that could pro as. are The communications to remote ed for the helium-filled aircraf t is design atmosphere stratosphere – a layer of our kilometres that extends from six to 20 provides above the Ear th’s sur face. “It d, fixe a to e a satellite-like ser vic s. lain targeted area,” Daniel exp ted The stratoship is remotely pilo lers pel and equipped with electric pro els pan ar powered by batteries and sol It can stay to control and direct its flight. in the air for up to a week!

Daniel and his daughter Lillian stratoship constructed the high-flying of a basketball court) size ‘envelope’ (a balloon the in their dining room. h a four-year Daniel started his career wit aircraf t maintenance. apprenticeship in avionics and in design, Daniel decided to Because he was interested s gave him a broad range study electronics at RMIT. Thi . While studying, he of skills for future employment

Managing director, The Stratoship Group Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics) (Honours), RMIT

spent a semester in Germany on exchange.

At the end of his degree, he went back to Germany to work on car braking systems as an intern, then got a job as a reliability engineer with a satellite company.

When he returned to Australia with his family, Dan iel worked in several roles, includ ing asset planning for communic ations and navigation projects with Air ser vices Australia.

Now, he has his own busine ss designing stratoships.

Reliability engineer, Tesat Spacecom

daniel field

stratoship designer

Multi-skilled

Focus on creativity

Daniel says he was drawn to engineering because it’s full of creativity and inventive ness. He even imagined he would get to design a flyi ng car! “For me, that’s what real engineering is abo ut,” he says.

And design isn’t the only eng ineering skill required for lighter-than-air vehicles.

Wind prediction, atmospheric modelling and creating on-board AI, edge computing and image proces sing systems are also important. – Nadine Cranen burgh

it provides a satellite-like service to a fixed, targeted area” CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Senior engineering specialist, Airservices Australia Director and consulting engineer, Aerogetic

ld to work on everything Engineering has led Daniel Fie a giant airship that travels from aircraft maintenance to phere around the edge of our atmos

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Avionics and aircraft maintenance engineering apprenticeship, AAMS

ENGINEERING+AVIATION

Flying high

? ring degree or diploma Considering an engineeof tips and advice These grads are full

NEXT STEPS

t a h t d ie d u t s , e r e h Been t Stay social

“The relationships you make with your peers, mentors and teachers are really important. Get involved in pro grams, clubs or community groups.”

Yuneska Harris Engineering manager, Clener gy

T

studying here’s a whole lot more to pile of engineering than an epic es. Behind tur lec ly ek we textbooks and cular activities, the networking, extracurri graduate practical assignments and ialising, finding applications there’s also soc other interests. a role model and pursuing engineering Here, we’ve tracked down e for first-timers. graduates to get their advic equal parts full-on Our biggest takeaway? It’s and fun. – Cassie Steel

e Get onlinYou Tube videos;

“Watch TED Talks or something find someone talking about .” you in that lights a spark er, CSIRO Amelia Luu, Robotics engine

Don’t study too much

“Employers want to know wh at you do outside of uni – it shows your true cha racter.”

Joseph Modolo Director, Reliable Automatic s and Automotive

Chat to people with your dream job

“There’s endless knowledge out there waiting to be uncovered. What are the current developments? How did the y do things 20 years ago? What opportunities can I grab hold of before I graduate?”

Lily Kenway Student struct ural and facade engineer, Bligh Tanner

Prepare for ws highs andthinlo tha gs t you “There are going to be ers will absolutely thrive at and oth ttle.” that are going to test your me Bianca Shepherd hop Engineering suppor t works STO manager, AN

SHUTTERSTOCK

ing Find youroppth uni ort ties for those

“There are growing ltiple areas. who have interests across mu exciting niche Some people work in supereven heard of.” areas that you may not have

Seek out the ‘aha’ mom ents

“Of ten the key to understan ding something comes from someone phrasing it in a different wa y or from a different perspe ctive that makes it just click. That ‘aha’ moment feels great and gives you the kind of deep understandin g that you never lose. Seek it out .”

Alex Morgan Sof tware eng ineer, Atlassian

Danika Smith Depar tment of Water strategy officer, NSW Planning and Environment

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ENGINEERING

NEXT STEPS

Mission control #1 Look up

No matter what job you’re dre aming of in space, stargazing is a good place to start! And Australia is one of the best places on Earth to get a good look at some of the most amazing gal axies in our solar system. You don’t eve n need your own telescope – check out some of these super cool Australian space observatory accounts on Instagram:

@perthobservatory @gdcobservatory @sydneyobservatory

Write your own out of this Earth aerospace engineering mission plan

#2 Choose the right electives Whether you want to be an astronaut or work on the ground designing rockets, you’ll need at least some maths and physics knowledge.

Design and technologies and/or digital technologies are also useful, and the same goes for biology and chemistry depending on the degree or further study you’re eyeing off. Check prerequisites or assumed knowledge online with individual universities offering aerospace engineering.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

rs

SHUTTERSTOCK

#3 Faninddromleenmtoodels

This issue went to press on 1 August 2023.

Printed in Australia by IVE.

an actual job as an Love space but not sure what aerospace engineer involves? way to find out! For Finding role models is a great tem.com Role Models inspiration, the careerswiths X for space), hub is where it’s at (search by tforms. along with searching social pla could visit If you’re in South Australia, you ery Centre and the Australian Space Discov m people working fro get even more inspiration in the industry already. ps on TikTok: Follow these aerospace pee

Cover image: Ben Ashmole Produced and published by: Refraction Media Co-founder, CEO & Publisher: Karen Taylor-Brown Co-founder, CEO & Head of Content: Heather Catchpole Managing Editor: Charis Palmer Digital Content Strategist: Louise Meers Sub Editor: Amelia Caddy Art Director: Katherine Power Writers: Gemma Chilton, Nadine Cranenburgh, Pippa Duffy, Danielle Lucas, Louise Meers, Charis Palmer, Cassie Steel, Rachel Williamson

engineer @abby_maltese – aerospace ace engineer @spacewithsyrup – aerosp gineering student @annamarv – aerospace en

SUBSCRIBE AND ORDER COPIES: CareerswithSTEM.com/subscribe

#4 Join clubs and get buildin

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Email: info@refractionmedia.com.au or +612 9188 5459

g

Obsessed with space or eng ineering? There are plenty of others out there like you! Sig n up for a hackathon like Moonhack or seek out eve nts put on by groups like the Australian Youth Aerospace Association, which runs the Astra online space pro gram.

If you use Scratch at school, check out the Astronaut Reaction Game. Or for some serious after-school fun, try Space Eng ineers on your Xbox or PlayStation – it’s a gam e all about engineering and exploring. – Charis Palmer

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Careers with STEM: Engineering 2023 is a publication and trademark of Refraction Media.

Copyright © 2023 Refraction Media, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission. If you would like to reproduce anything from this magazine, email: info@refractionmedia.com.au.

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