Author: risknc

Is real.

Engineering work is difficult. Software to make it collaborative and productive is probably even more difficult.

The last month or so I’ve spent working on a few separate problems evaluating and selecting software packages for the engineering group I’m working with.

There are a lot of challenges to selecting CAD, analysis tools, even databases in the modern era. In the end the differences between the higher end packages aren’t stark, but can subtly affect every aspect of the design / build cycle, and also impact overall performance of the team. Some notes:

Hello internet,

I assume, like me, many of you are technical types that work full time jobs slamming out code, making CAD models, and doing science. Rad. This is complicated, hard work, that can fry your brain, make life at home tough, turn your body to mush, and end up all being for naught, as the company dies, goes in a different direction, or is no longer a good fit for you. Many people frame who they are by the work they do, and the first thing they use to describe themselves in a social setting is their job.

My perspective on career got really screwed up when my first job out of school was SpaceX, as most people tend see their career as a progression towards an unattainable pinnacle “best job” and I got that out of the way day one. ( It was pretty fun to be honest). Ever since, finding meaning and purpose in life has been easier for me. I know just how extreme the mission can be, and I can self identify where I want to go, and what things I want to do, and know they’re within reason.

The last year(ish) of my life has been the in between that most experience but few embrace: unemployment. It sounds scary, can be challenging financially, and frequently leads to depression, but I tried my best to make it a purposeful and positive, and in my view it was one of the most successful years of my life. Turns out, you don’t need the purse strings of a billionaire to have a good time.