Case studies: Flight safety engineer: Josh

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People skills are very important in Josh's job as a flight safety engineer for a large helicopter manufacturer, as he has to persuade others to work collectively with him on safety issues that are often urgent and demanding...

My job role is guaranteeing the safety of aircraft operations, and a typical day starts with acting on any new incidents that show up in my email box. I then have to liaise with a range of departments. This includes colleagues from customer support to get all the background information and 'gossip' from the operators, design engineers and safety, reliability and quality engineers, as well as meeting with the programme managers to assess the incidents and then propose cost-effective methods.

My previous degrees in aerospace engineering and aerospace vehicle design were very important in helping me get my present job and my general aeronautical knowledge, technical and operational knowledge of helicopters all helped. However, I still found that I had quite a steep learning curve when I started work.

Once I had completed my degree, I searched for jobs on various websites, for example the EADS e-recruiting website and found the position I was interested in. After applying, I went through a telephone interview and then a face-to-face interview with the people I am now working with.

I thoroughly enjoy the interaction with people who have different areas of expertise and the comprehensive approach to a problem. However, it can be challenging when you have to make others understand the urgency of support they have to provide for the safety of aircrafts.

For those who are interested in getting into this career, I would advise them to be very familiar with all aircraft systems and their integration and you also have to be able to get on well with other people. Having a thick skin helps, as well as being persuasive and diplomatic.

AGCAS