Tom, more paintball engineering questions.

[nak81783]

Tom,

Hi, Tom. It's me again. You replied to one of my previous posts about working in the paintball industry. As I said before, I am very interested in some form of engineering in the paintball world.

I have a couple more questions I would like to ask you. Some may seem quite personal to your company. I am sorry, but like you say, what other Paintball company presidents will take the time to respond to their customers? It seems as if you are the only one who is not only able but also willing to answer my questions. So here goes with the questions:

1. What types of engineers do you hire at AGD?

2. What different types of projects do your engineers work on? If it's just the products you put on the market, don't bother answering this one.

3. How many engineers are employed at AGD?

4. What is an average starting salary for a "paintball" engineer? A salary for a senior "paintball" engineer?

5. How often do engineering job openings occur at AGD?

I need to find out some more information on this subject to determine if it is something I really want to do. Is there a snail-mail address directly to you or someone else who can answer related questions if I send a more in-depth letter? Please E-mail it to me if there is at [email protected]

I thank you for taking the time to read this and for any information you provide. I apologize again if my questions seem a little personal to your company. I figure your company will give me the most honest and accurate responses since you strive for customer satisfaction.

Thanks,
Nathan

[Butterfingers]

Oh so I see you are seeking a career in marketing?

All you gotta do is drill big holes in aluminum and call it low pressure and you got a career in the paintball industry.

I hate to discourage you but alot more money can be made and your talents can be exploited to a much more useful degree in a diffrent industry.

[nak81783]

Thanks for your input, but...

I thank you for your input Butterfingers. However, I feel I can only do myself justice by getting serious answers to the questions I have asked.

Yes, I know there is a lot of marketing involved in paintball, but there is also a science behind it. This is a science I believe I would enjoy working with. Different strokes for different folks. Maybe this is what I would enjoy; maybe it's not. I can only find out by asking questions.

I am aware that there is most likely less money involved in "paintball" engineering than in other industries. I believe in the "enjoy what you do" occupation. To a certain extent, money will play a factor. None-the-less, if I can lead a happy life both financially and by enjoying what I do, I would take that over making insane amounts of money.

Thanks,
Nathan

[Butterfingers]

Sorry I didnt think you were gonna take it that sereously. Better let Tom answer this one.

[nak81783]

No problem

Hey, don't worry about it. You didn't know I was serious about this.

Nathan

[AGD]

You want the honest tough answers here they are:

1. What types of engineers do you hire at AGD?

Usually ones with machine building experience. We have never hired one that was a paintball player or had paintball experience.

2. What different types of projects do your engineers work on? If it's just the products you put on the market, don't bother answering this one.

Besides the products we produce we also do basic research. Currently we are researching ball breakage and oring sealing at -40. Of all the research projects we do in a year only about 2-3 weeks involves shooting a gun.


3. How many engineers are employed at AGD?
We have has as many as five.

4. What is an average starting salary for a "paintball" engineer? A salary for a senior "paintball" engineer?

Our starting salaries are lower than normal for engineers. We don't have senior engineers because most go on to other industries where they can make a lot more money.

5. How often do engineering job openings occur at AGD?
Rarely, once every few years.

Engineering at AGD is not what most people think. It is not about sitting around shooting guns and thinking up cool new stuff. You are not allowed to go to tournaments or even play on a team. It is all about solving hundreds of microscopic problems the average person doesn't think about.
Eric my lead engineer spent the last two days freezing tanks to -40 and then holding them in a bucket of propolyne glycol to see if they leaked. Before that he was doing a statistical analysis of reg seat crush for three days. If you find smashing orings and watching parts bubble exciting then maybe paintball engineering is for you.

AGD

[nak81783]

Thanks, Tom

Thanks for honest answers Tom. I think I'll pass. Don't expect an application from me in 5 years.

Thanks,
Nathan

[epterry]

that sounds fun

[Predater]

Tom, im on my third year in micanicaL engeneering. if you didnt have the stipulation on actual playing i would love to get a job with you. and whare i work now i do have expereance with electronics and michining.

[silentdeath55]

Why are the engineers not allowd to be on a team, or play in tournaments?

[Thordic]

Originally posted by silentdeath55
Why are the engineers not allowd to be on a team, or play in tournaments?

Once you get into that scene one would think you might lose some of your objectivity.

[-=Squid=-]

Well, it doesnt seem quite right that you are not allowed to spend your personal time how you want.

[Blazestorm]

Well tournaments can prevent them from researching their work and at work they can't concentrate because they are thinking about playing paintball on the weekend.

Something like that

[Orange Crush]

Originally posted by AGD

1. What types of engineers do you hire at AGD?

Usually ones with machine building experience. We have never hired one that was a paintball player or had paintball experience.

Now this seems a little strange to me....do you do this deliberately, or is it just a matter of chance. I mean obviously a paintball player with no engineering skills or machining skills won't help you, but wouldn't an engineer or machinist who plays the sport have a different insight on the products and the market? I mean, I doubt that Ford highered MAC truck mechanics to fix and tune its NASCAR engines.

Originally posted by AGD

You are not allowed to go to tournaments or even play on a team.

Guys, I think you'll notice that he said they can't enter in tournaments, not that they can't play the sport at all. Its probably considered a conflict of interests. Just like my wife can't sell couldn't sell copy machines to where I work.

[Pokaris]

Originally posted by Predater
Tom, im on my third year in micanicaL engeneering. if you didnt have the stipulation on actual playing i would love to get a job with you. and whare i work now i do have expereance with electronics and michining.

How can you not spell your own major correctly?

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, now copy paste that onto your resume so people don't just laugh at you.


edit: removed extra comma