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Asked by anon-74599 to Rohin on 23 May 2020.
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anon answered on 23 May 2020:
Sometimes the worst problem I have faced in my job is not knowing the solution or the answer. Not all engineers know every aspect of their jobs. I have encountered problems where I have been unsure of what to do and how to help. Fortunately, I have a great team of work colleagues who have helped me and we have worked on a problem together to create a solution.
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Rohin Titmarsh answered on 4 Jun 2020:
The worst problems I’ve had are usually not to do with engineering, but more to do with administration and the way organisations run. Things like that can be very frustrating and demoralising, and sometimes means it’s time to move on to somewhere else.
Comments
Fidel commented on :
The worst problem I’ve faced so far was when I was meant to be building some replacement cables according to an items list which was made in the 90s. Most of the parts on the list weren’t available anymore so I had find replacements then I found out that the old cables weren’t built according to the items list and design. I had to then basically find a way to build the cables that met the original requirements using very similar parts. It was all very annoying but eventually I was able to make them.
Juan Carlos commented on :
In projects sometimes stakeholders cannot agree on what they want or need. Engineers need to mediate and help them realize that their approach could be optimised, improved or there are alternative paths to achieve a certain result. I remember programming inspections for jet engines components. The inspections are expensive and time consuming and the component wasn’t critical (was at the end of its life in fact) we used statistics to take samples and determine how the component performed during its lifetime. Some colleagues disagreed as they wanted every component inspected and took time to be in the same page. Remember telling them that “if you have a lorry full of oranges you would probably take a sample and check the quality, size, etc… can’t examine every orange”…
Ken commented on :
I think engineers generally do not have problems. In preference they are seen as opportunities to learn something new as a challenge. We all work in teams nowadays and these opportunities are solved when two or more engineers get together. One challenge which often happens to me is when a client changes his mind half way through a project but does not see that there is a cost involved with the change. At times like this it’s not engineering skills that provide a solution. Instead we have to use interpersonal skills and be good at talking round what other solutions are available.
David commented on :
The unexpected problems are always a challenge. As an Engineer Officer in an aircraft carrier at sea one of our gas turbine main engines failed. Fortunately, we did have a spare unit onboard. Without any time for pre-planning I had to lead the team to remove to failed unit and install the spare. We were dealing with some bulky, heavy and expensive bits of kit. The ship was at sea with a full flying programme. Occasionally I had to ask the Ship’s Command that they keep the ship running straight for 30 minutes or so while we fleeted 3 tonnes of expensive engine around the machinery space. We completed the task in about 4 days, working two-shifts around the clock.