GE Aviation
Brian Rawnsley, Systems Architecture Manager
GE Aviation Systems, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Glos GL52 8SF
Biography
Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, joined British Aerospace Filton as graduate apprentice. Moved to Smiths Aerospace (now part of GE Aviation) as Avionic Systems Engineer. Seconded to Boeing, USA for 18 months as avionic systems / flight test engineer, developed automatic flight control systems, displays and other avionics for Boeing Aircraft and Westland Helicopters. Completed MBA degree in 2004. Working now as Systems Architecture Manager- consulting on initial design of systems, also development of engineers’ skills and careers.
Employer
Name of organisation: GE Aviation
Number of employees: 350,000 (GE worldwide)
Size: Large
Name of business unit or department: Aviation Systems
1. How many people are part of the project team with which you would typically work and what are their roles?
About 70 Systems Engineers. Their role is to capture and specify the aircraft level system requirements for avionics. Then to develop the avionic architectures and unit requirements, specifying detailed requirements for embedded hardware and software. The avionic systems we develop are all airborne, safety critical systems, so the systems engineers are heavily involved in detailed and formal systems testing.
2. In a typical week, what percentage of your time would you spend on project management and organisational tasks and could you give some examples of your work activities?
About 80% of my time is spent on project management and organisation. Tasks include skill management of systems engineers training, appraisals and mentoring. I also get involved in developing and publishing systems engineering procedures, and chairing system design reviews.
3. If you were interviewing for a new engineering project manager, what skills and personal attributes would you look for in a candidate?
I would look for experience of embedded software and hardware engineering, as well as understanding of the customer and end user’s requirements. For personal attributes I would look for someone who is inclusive (consults, involves and informs others) in decision making and leadership. I would also look for someone who understands the industry sector of aerospace and the environment we operate in. I would look for someone who can plan a project and work hard to hit the project milestones. I would look for someone who has sympathy and understanding of customer needs.
4. What are the most common weaknesses you have seen in newly-qualified graduate engineers?
Lack of knowledge of safety critical systems, safety assessment techniques and rigorous system development processes. For systems engineers we need graduates with a working knowledge of aircraft systems, embedded software, electronics and maths. Frequently candidates have some but not all of these skills. Systems engineers have to be great communicators and team workers. Often graduates with no prior experience of working in industry take a while to develop these skills.
5. What training and development do new project managers require when they begin employment in your business area?
To team lead a project, realistically a graduate would have to first gain 4 or 5 years experience working as a systems engineer. Continuing education is important, and training in leadership, planning, motivation and interviewing skills is essential for project managers.
6. What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to a new graduate engineer who is in charge of projects?
We would not put a new graduate engineer in charge of projects straight away. The safety critical nature of the avionic system development projects needs training, development and experience beyond graduation. The single most important piece of advice for a systems engineering graduate would be to work in and understand all the engineering disciplines applicable to avionic projects (hardware, software, mechanical, safety, architecture design etc.) as well as learning management skills - and not just cling to your degree subject.
7. Given the aims of the project, please make any additional comments or information that you feel is relevant.
For systems engineering, we do look for graduates with multi-disciplinary engineering knowledge and skills.
