Getting Started in Engineering in the Outdoor Industry

Hi mountain project,

I'm a third year mechanical engineer at CalPoly (but from WA) hoping to work in the outdoor product industry eventually. This quarter I've been applying to internships and searching for offerings, but it seems like there aren't that many open doors to outdoor product design (at least compared to working in construction or defense). I'm making this post to see if anybody on here has any advice on how to get a foot in the door at somewhere like MSR/Cascade Designs, or any other company at least vaguely related to the outdoors, or how to make myself stand out from other overly eager applicants. Also if there's any companies in specific that you know are offering internships in the Seattle area, any tips are appreciated.

- Jack

Figure out how to meet some people in the industry and connect with them. I know that's really vague, but it's the answer.

Have you tried simply reaching out to any of these brands regardless of whether or not they post openings? Never hurts to reach out

I was a rep in the industry for a while and the best thing you can do is start networking now - send emails, reach out to people via LinkedIn, cold call companies, etc.   Are you only looking for Seattle based companies?  I live in WA and besides Cascade Designs a lot of the outdoor companies in the area are soft goods based.  I would look into Black Diamond (who had been hiring quite a bit recently), Petzl or other hard good companies.  Good Luck!

Keep an eye on https://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/

Cascade Designs was hiring a manufacturing engineer a couple years back, and BD just filled a position for quality engineer (though I wonder if that opening was related to the pieps beacon fiasco...).  Both of those were posted on https://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/.. And of course as others have said, don't be afraid to reach out to these companies and try to make connections with people already in the industry.  That might be all but necessary in a niche industry like this.  

Hi

I can advise you of some tips which I did before I get to Engre.co.

- Social networks. The top priorities for recruiters are LinkedIn and Facebook. Try to complete your profile with a professional perspective and talk about yourself and your projects/work experiences. And don't forget that there are often jobs posted in the business community that isn't posted anywhere else.

Thus, HR specialists hope that the vacancy will be filled by a person who is interested in the company and monitors its activity.

- Company websites. Of course, large companies always publish vacancies on their website. Check how the information is updated at least once a month.

Try to respond and send your resume. Always remember that a few more people are applying for yours, so the speed and timely sending of your resume can solve a lot.

- HR agencies. Do not be afraid of recruiting specialists from agencies. If you stop running from recruiters, you can get a lot of valuable information about the market, companies, income, etc. Moreover, HR will be able to provide your experienced executive, persuade you to meet even if the employer has doubts, and provide recommendations for your resume.

I wish you good luck in your findings!

Go learn to be a for-real engineer at a major company that pays well for your first 5-10 years.  You’ll get much better mentoring on actual engineering problems - you’ll become a better and more valuable professional.  Most outdoor products are art projects and ideas that required minimal if any engineering.  Most of the engineers I see in this space are the B and C students.  The test reports and articles published by Black Diamond, for example, are sloppy and sophomoric compared to what would be expected of you at a Fortune 500 company.