Role of Defense Industry Engineers

Role of Defense Industry Engineers Today

The General Role of Engineers for Defense

Types of Work Performed by Engineers in the Defense Industry

Key Attributes and Skills Required

Ethical Issues for Defense Industry Engineers

The Role of Defense Industry Engineers Today

This report outlines the various roles of engineers working in the defense industry today. Some laypersons would likely be able to explain in general terms the role of engineers in industries such as construction because they are able to see the results of this work for themselves. There is likely less known about the role of engineers working in the defense industry, though, because of the secrecy that surrounds this work and its importance to national defense. Although engineers have been relied on to provide the requisite defenses for cities, states and nations throughout history, this role has changed in fundamental ways over the centuries, particularly during the second half of the 20th century. In order to develop a more informed view of the role of engineers working in the defense industry today, this paper provides a review of the relevant peer-reviewed, scholarly and governmental literature, followed by a summary of the research and important findings in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion

The General Role of Engineers for Defense

Engineers have been actively engaged in a country's defense for millennia, but it only fairly recently that their role has been defined by standardized job descriptions and performance standards (Silver & Brennan, 1998). The role played by engineers in the defense industry became more complex with a broader scope during the second half of the 20th century as a result. In this regard, Rae and Volti add that, "The military is of course hardly an alien intruder into engineering. What makes the postwar era unique is the great increase in both the scope and the technological complexity of warfare" (142-143). In this increasingly complex environment, the types of work performed by defense industry engineers have also become more complex and these issues are discussed further below.

Types of Work Performed by Engineers in the Defense Industry

The defense industry is comprised of several disciplines, with the types of engineering work involved differing according to the nature of the enterprise. One of the major sectors in the defense industry is the aerospace industry. In this industry, engineers are responsible for designing, testing, and supervising the manufacture of aircraft, missiles and spacecraft (Engineer 2010). In this industry, engineers also develop new technologies that are used in defense systems, military fighter jets, helicopters, spacecraft, or missiles and rockets (Engineer 2010). Likewise, nuclear and electronics engineers are employed by the defense industry to conduct defense-related research (Engineer 2010). In addition, marine engineers who are employed in the defense industry are responsible for the "design, construction, and maintenance of ships, boats, and related equipment. They design and supervise the construction of everything from aircraft carriers to submarines and from sailboats to tankers. Marine engineers apply knowledge from a range of fields to the entire process by which water vehicles are designed and produced" (Engineer 2010:5-6).

Key Attributes and Skills Required

Besides the following key attributes and skills, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2010-11 Edition) stipulates that a bachelor's degree is usually required for entry-level engineering positions. The Handbook also emphasizes that, "Engineers should be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing" (Engineers 2010:4). In addition, good communication skills are regarded as important key attributes for engineers who frequently work with professionals from other disciplines (Engineers 2010).

Although every employment situation for defense industry engineers will be unique in some way, some common key attributes and skills required by Engineers Australia (2010) for professional engineers include the following:

1. Knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals;

2. in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline;

3. Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution;

4. Understanding of social, cultural, global, and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development;

5. Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance;

6. Proficiency in engineering design;

7. Ability to conduct an engineering project;

8. Understanding of the business environment;

9. Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large;