System engineer / Production / Governmental helicopter

Hello,

My name is Norbert and I work at Eurocopter in Donauwörth as a system engineer for governmental helicopters. I joined the team in 2001 just after finishing my master degree in Physics.

My department “system test” is a part of the production of the Tiger and NH90. After the development of a new helicopter model by the design office and a successful sale contract, the series production of the helicopter is started. At this point, our work starts by preparing the future test phase. After finalization of the assembly every series helicopter enters the integration test phase. In this phase our task is to test the correct functions of all systems of the helicopter before performing the flight tests. After a successful integration test phase the helicopter is delivered to the customer.

My job

Our work is comprised of 3 missions:

• We prepare the future series test phase of the helicopter. This preparation starts around 2 years before the first series helicopter enters the test phase. We have to evaluate the different tests to be done and prepare the test devices. This includes the evaluation and definition of the needs, purchasing, looking for the appropriate devices on the market or initiating the development of proper ones by suppliers and organizing the time schedule of the tests (order, manpower etc.)
  
  
• We work on the tests of the complete system of the helicopter, e.g. main computer, navigation system, aircraft sensors etc. Regarding these tests we often face problems. We have to find the origin of the problem and propose a solution. Due to this we work very closely with other departments especially with the design offices.
  
  
• We support the flight test.
  The job is done 60 % in the office and 40 % by testing directly in contact with the overall helicopter systems and it is what I like about this job.
  
  We work under pressure because our work is performed at the end of the production process and we are obliged to make up any delays that may have occurred during the process before, but I like it; it’s a challenge every day.

My motivation

Ithas been clear since I was a young boy that I wanted to work in the aeronautics branch. I like high technology and professionalism and I found both at Eurocopter. We are number 1 in terms of innovation and performance and this is very important for me.

Since I started working at Eurocopter, there hasn’t been a day where I was bored. The work is varied and we have an overview of the complete helicopter. Working at Eurocopter is like practicing my hobby. The helicopter area fascinates me and it is like a passion.

We work very closely with our French colleagues in an integrated German/French team. I’m regularly in France for business trips and I appreciate it. I am Austrian myself and I like working abroad in a multicultural team.

What after?

Who can answer that now? My work has given me experience in project management, development of new methods, process optimization, and team-management by working with technicians and mechanics and supervising their work, time and cost management.

I stay curious and I want to learn every day, so, everything is open, I am flexible. I will ask myself this question when the job starts to bore me and this will not be the case in the near future.

How to join the team?

I had the chance to participate to a career day at Eurocopter in 2000.
The typical diploma for this job is Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer or Aeronautical Engineer. I studied Physics at the University of Graz where I learned to solve problems. This “know-how” method is as important as the “content” of the study.

My advice to students and graduates:

It is important to choose a job and a career where you have enthusiasm for the product.