Based on the number of deaths per total flights each year, air travel is thought to be the safest way to get around. That’s an interesting fact, since we were traveling more than 30,000 feet above the ground in a pressurized chamber where the fuselage was the only thing that could have gone wrong.
Shiva Swamy is our next trailblazer. He is a Stress Engineer at AMM GmBh and checks the strength, stability, and durability of the materials used in Aero Structures.
Shiv talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how he can directly improve travel safety by giving reasons for the strength of the materials used in parts of many spacecraft and Airbus commercial planes.
My name is Shiva Swamy Gurusiddaiah and I was born in the small village of Kuderu in the Chamarajanagara District of Karnataka to typical Indian farmers. I grew up with small but usual dreams playing with my schoolmates in my native.
I finished school in Kannada and then moved to Mysore to study science for 10 and 2 years. I had great science and math teachers in school, which helped me get ready for a job in the physical sciences after I finished elementary school. I developed interest in physics and geometry throughout my schooling. Those interests acted as a catalyst to my further studies and my career in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
I started my first job as a production and CAD design engineer in Bangalore because of this. This led me to my current job as a stress analysis engineer in the aerospace field in Hamburg, Germany.
I did my bachelors degree (BE in Mechanical engineering) and masters (M. Tech in Aerospace Engineering) from Visveswaraiah Technical University. I did my M. Tech after 6 years of relevant working experience which helped me a lot in grasping the M. Tech subjects from the application point of view. My masters degree was challenging as I completed the course while working full time.
I had developed a strong interest in mathematics and physics by the end of school. Two teachers from high school and my older brother were very important in getting me interested in this.
I moved to a nearby big city to study further. This was a big turning point in my career because it introduced me to the interesting world of science.
At HAL, Bangalore, I helped design a scavenging system for a helicopter oil pump test rig. At IISc Bangalore, I helped design and analyze morphing wing structures for the Department of Aeronautical Engineering. Both of these projects helped me understand engineering at the industrial level. This experience also led me to do a masters in Aerospace.
How did you plan the steps you needed to take to get the job you wanted? Tell us about your career path.
When I was done with my bachelor’s degree, I got a job at Rajesh Exports Pvt. Ltd., a small private production company. Ltd. in Bangalore. As a production engineer at this company, I designed machine tools using the CAD tool AutoCAD. One of my main jobs was to check the mechanical quality of the tools.
When I got my first job as a production engineer, I started to learn more about CATIA, which stands for “computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application.” I had learned the basics of CATIA in school. This time, I switched from AutoCAD to CATIA because I was more interested in geometry, and I began looking for a new job. As a result, I ended up as an Associate CAD engineer at Tyco Electronics Corporation Pvt. Ltd through Padmavathi Consultancy in Bangalore. This was a fascinating job which was based on my geometry knowledge. Reading Electromechanical 2D drawings to find out how heavy parts are and then comparing those weights to the actual weights of parts that were made were the most important things that helped me in my career. Over time, I’ve learned that being able to read 2D drawings is an important skill for every mechanical engineer.
I got my next job as a mechanical trainee engineer at Satyam Computers Pvt. Ltd. within two years. Ltd. Hyderabad (now Tech Mahindra). The initial 6 months training on MSC Nastran, MSC Patran, Altair Hypermesh, GD&T, CAD tools etc. in CITD-Hyderabad opened my eyes to the CAE domain. After moving from Hyderabad to Bangalore for an aerospace project, I had another chance to use what I knew about computer-aided engineering (CAE) to build structures for aerospace. This was the time where my experiences started counting towards my current job.
I worked for this company for four years and did the following main tasks. I also got a lot of real-world experience with aerospace structures, stress analysis, composite materials, and other things.
At the time I left this company, I had already earned my master’s degree with the help of my coworkers while working full-time. My 2 years master’s study was very challenging. But I was able to finish the degree while working at Tech Mahindra because the company paid for part of the course.
In my first job after getting my master’s, I was a stress engineer at Aspect Ratio Engineering Services GmbH in Augsburg, Germany. My tasks were attention-grabbing and my career as stress engineer started from here, outside India.
After that, I worked on a project in the Bruges area of Belgium where I looked at the structure of the flap actuation mechanical curved rack and pinion system for an IRKUT MC-21 aircraft from Russia. About two years ago, I worked here at BMT aerospace in Belgium through a company called Verotech BVBA in the Leuven area of Belgium.
After that, in 2015, I moved to the Hamburg area of Germany to work at GOE (Group of Engineers) GmbH in the same role. The same Airbus tasks were harder this time because they had to do with stress justification for composite material door surroundings for the Airbus A350-1000.
My current job title is Senior Stress Engineer at AMM Enterprises GmbH in the Hamburg area of Germany. It is in the same industry. Here iam involved in the following roles for the past 3+ years.
While I was waiting for the right time to start a new job after getting my master’s degree in 2011, I chose to work on some projects that would let me use everything I had learned in my classes. I made the right choice, and I was able to get a job as a stress engineer at Aspect Ratio Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. in Bangalore. I was sent to Aspect Ratio Engineering Services GmbH and landed in Augsburg, Germany, to help with the Airbus A350-900 central fuselage stress project for the next three months. After getting my master’s degree, I made the right choice that led me to work outside of India on the right project. It was the perfect break in my career.
Over the course of my 15 years of work experience, I’ve faced many big problems. Here are a few of them:
I finished my master’s degree and kept my full-time job at the same time. It was hard to balance the two for about two years, but I did it without any problems. My master’s classes and the work I was doing at my job had a lot in common, which helped me get through the tough times. When I chose to study for my master’s part-time and in the right field, I saved two years of time and it also helped me in my job.
I started my job at Verotech BVBA in Belgium by myself, and I was in charge of doing the stress analysis of the aileron actuation system. The actuation system of an aircraft performs a safety critical function that ensures controllability. My knowledge from my bachelor‘s study on mechanical engineering was very much useful at this time. At this point, I realized I needed to remember everything I had learned in mechanical engineering in order to take on the challenge of designing a mechanical gear.
As I started gaining more experience, it was obvious that I would be working on multiple tasks. Now in my current job i am involved in many design activities along with my specific tasks. There are a lot of new ideas and tools (for installing mechanical and electrical systems) that I have never used before, which makes this set of tasks really tough. I have spent a lot of time learning the required tools to meet the challenge.
Currently, I am working as senior stress engineer with AMM Enterprises GmbH in Hamburg, Germany. Every day, I have to solve a problem about the strength of a material that has to do with installing aerospace wings.
For my current job, I need to know a lot about material strength, finite element models, and how to properly document things according to the rules.
As part of my daily work, I get several requests to make stress documents every day, every week, or every month, depending on the size of the structural parts. Below are the major tasks which I do in order to accomplish my job.
Before we put anything from science into practice, it has to be proven to work in the real world with or without the least amount of damage. Every space vehicle comes through the same process of design and validation before it serves the society. Because of this, I see my job as indirectly helping society by giving reasons for the strength of materials used in parts of many spacecraft. Example: Airbus commercial aircrafts A350, A380, A320 etc.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
The project I worked on by myself for the Airbus A350 plane was the best thing I’ve ever done. The goal of the project was to create the certification report for composite door surroundings. The fact that I had to start from scratch to analyze the composite parts gave me a lot of chances to learn how to do my job as a stress engineer in today’s industry.
As someone who has worked in aerospace structures for 15 years, I tell all of my students to take as much time as they need to find what they really enjoy doing and then do it. I got all my jobs because I kept working towards my interest. When I started my first job at Tyco Electronics doing design work 15 years ago, I had no idea that I’d end up becoming a professional aerospace engineer doing what I love most: studying the structure of spacecraft.
My goal is to become the best at aerospace structural analysis and help people by turning all of my skills into goods.
Getting hired as a stress engineer takes more than just technical prowess You need to ace the interview by demonstrating your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and grace under pressure. This begins with being prepared to answer some common questions that employers rely on to evaluate candidates
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top stress engineer interview questions, provide sample answers, and tips to help you craft your best responses Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned professional, these insights will prove invaluable in helping you stand out from the competition Let’s get started!
Technical Questions
Technical interviews allow hiring managers to assess your engineering knowledge and hands-on abilities. Here are some common technical questions you’re likely to encounter:
Q1. What is moment of inertia?
Moment of inertia describes an object’s resistance to changes in its rotational motion. It depends on the object’s mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation. The moment of inertia is a critical calculation in stress analysis of rotating machinery like turbines to understand how they will respond under various loads and operating speeds.
Q2. Explain a stress vs strain diagram.
A stress vs strain diagram illustrates the relationship between applied stress and the resulting strain in a material. It provides key information about the material’s elastic and plastic deformation regions, ultimate strength, and modulus of elasticity. Analyzing this data is crucial in stress engineering to predict how a component will behave under various loading conditions.
Q3. Describe a rainflow cycle counting technique for fatigue analysis.
The rainflow method allows us to reduce complex variable stress histories to simple stress reversals for fatigue life estimation. It works by visually imagining the stress profile flowing over a pagoda roof – the stress cycles that ‘rain’ off the edges are counted. This technique enables accurate evaluation of cumulative damage from cyclic stresses in components like turbine blades.
Q4. Explain lug analysis in stress engineering.
Lug analysis determines stresses in cylindrical lugs or tabs – like those used to attach turbine blades to discs. Accurately predicting lug stresses ensures proper load transfer between components while avoiding failure. Key considerations in lug analysis include determining bending moments, hoop and bearing stresses, and stress concentration factors. Advanced methods like FEA are commonly used.
Behavioral Questions
Behavioral questions evaluate your soft skills like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Here are some examples:
Q1. Tell me about a time you had to simplify complex technical information for non-engineering colleagues. How did you ensure they understood your analysis?
This tests your ability to explain intricate concepts simply. Utilizing analogies, visuals, and non-technical language is key. Checking for comprehension is also vital.
Q2. Describe a situation where you identified a critical design flaw that others had overlooked. How did you convince them of your findings?
This highlights your attention to detail, analytical abilities, and communication skills. Emphasize objective data presentation, engaging colleagues collaboratively, and keeping an open mind.
Q3. Tell me about a high-pressure project where your stress analysis was on the critical path. How did you ensure timely and accurate results?
This evaluates your capacity to deliver under pressure. Discuss prioritizing, frequent communication, seeking help when needed, and maintaining rigor along with pragmatism.
Q4. When has collaboration with other engineers led to significant improvements in your analysis?
This assesses your teamwork abilities. Share an example that highlights mutual learning, leveraging diverse perspectives, and achieving better outcomes through collaboration.
Industry-Specific Questions
Questions tailored to your target industry are also common. Here are some examples across key sectors:
Aerospace
- What stress analysis techniques have you used for aircraft engine components like turbine blades?
- Describe your experience with dynamic stress analysis for aerospace structures.
Highlight hands-on FEA experience and understanding factors like flutter, gust response, and fatigue under cyclic airplane maneuvers.
Automotive
- How have you analyzed automotive components like crankshafts and transmission gears for fatigue life?
- What techniques have you used to improve crashworthiness in vehicles through stress analysis?
Discuss fatigue analysis methods and optimizing designs to absorb impact energy and maintain passenger safety during collisions.
Construction
- How do you determine critical load combinations for the stress analysis of building or bridge components?
- What factors do you consider when evaluating existing structures for stress-related damage or deterioration?
Demonstrate understanding relevant codes, experience with assessment of aged infrastructure, and techniques like load testing.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
The interview is a two-way street. Along with answering questions, you should ask a few thoughtful ones to show your engagement and interest in the role. Some options include:
- Can you describe the dynamics of the engineering team I’d be joining?
- What skills or experience are most critical for success in this stress engineer position?
- What projects or analyses would I be working on in the first few months if hired?
- How is stress analysis work incorporated in the product/structure design workflow here?
- What tools, software, and testing facilities are available for stress analysis work?
With preparation and practice, you can tackle any stress engineer interview question with confidence. Understand the fundamentals, reflect on your experiences, and think about how to convey your skills effectively. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be positioned to impress hiring managers and land the job! Remember to be authentic, ask insightful questions, and let your passion for engineering shine through.
Interview Question-Stress vs Strength
FAQ
What questions are asked in a stress management interview?
What does a stress engineer do?
What do you need to be a stress engineer?
What is a stress engineer interview question?
This question is designed to probe your practical experience and the impact of your work. Stress engineers play a critical role in ensuring safety and efficiency in design, and therefore, interviewers want to ensure you have the ability to make critical observations and recommendations.
Can you get a job as a stress engineer?
A career as a Stress Engineer can be incredibly rewarding, blending the intricate knowledge of physics and engineering with practical applications in various industries. Before you can put your skills to work, however, there’s a hurdle to overcome: the job interview.
What does a stress engineering job look like?
The crux of the stress engineering role is to tackle complex, challenging problems and find effective solutions. By asking about your most challenging stress analysis project, hiring managers get a clear picture of your problem-solving skills, technical prowess, resilience, and adaptability.
