Very Intriguing Engineering Work Designing Nuclear Submarines
Pros
Plenty of opportunities for engineering in new design, construction support, and maintenance/overhaul of submarines and related systems. Both strong in overall system engineering and specialized component development. For the system engineer, interaction with other groups and disciplines is standard and provides the means to lean and grow beyond your core field of study. For the component engineer, work involves maintaining a detailed understanding of the inner workings of your component and communicating with outside vendors and subcontractors. A very engaging experience understanding the complexity of submarine systems and contributing to their development. Disciplines include mechanical, structural, fluids, electrical, controls, computer systems, hydrodynamics, acoustics, and nuclear engineering.
Cons
Engineering products (letters, drawings, procedures) often become hindered by the lengthy and tedious review process while schedule pressure rests heavily on the originating engineer. Middle management has administrative duties required from upper management as well as provides technical support for the lower engineers, the combination of which often overburdens individual supervisors. It is very easy for an engineer to become caught in mediocrity, as excellence is seldom rewarded and ineptitude is often overlooked.
