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Ask HN: Pivoting from Medical Device to Aerospace Industry
In recent years I have had good success in becoming an Engineering VP in a startup developing Medical Device Software. The Medical Device Software industry must solve for both innovative software and ensuring quality and processes conformance. With my background as a Software Developer and my ability to quickly understand and interpret quality Requirements, I have found a sweet spot in my (limited) talents that is both professionally challenging/stimulating and in high demand.
However. I don't want to spend the rest of my life working for the Lifescience industry.
Recently I have realized that my true life-long passion is working in the Aerospace industry, specifically the Space industry. I have almost zero network with companies or professionals working in the Space industry however I have realized that my "talents" in the Medical Device industry are applicable as well for the Space industry. Although the Quality standards differ in name and numbers, they must also solve for the same challenges in delivering innovation and assurance of quality.
What would be your advice for someone wanting to change industries from Medical Device to the (Aero)Space Industry? My heart is aching to contribute to the second space race, and I willing to give up my VP position, salary and everything, as long as I can pursue my passion. I am in my early thirties, no kids or attachments otherwise.
- kejaed 6y agoHey Astro, I’ve often looked and thought about the jump the other way from aero to medical, thinking the same thing about the dev and quality processes. What pops into my head is to start reaching out to SpaceX. Their job posts indicate they will hire smart people and get them to work. The formal high design assurance type work from your medical experience will be a plus for sure. Step one just start reaching out. Step two would be working on the background to explain why the medical SW experience is transferable. Know the DO-178C, DAL, ARP4754 buzzwords and flows, and I’d say even how the equivalent medical ones you are familiar with map over. This could even be a series of blog posts for you. It’ll show your communication abilities, your experience in the med side of things and then that you are working on the jump to aero. It’ll form a good base for your knowledge, be a talking point when trying to make contacts and then in any interview. A banner at the top of the blog “I’m making the jump to aerospace, get in touch to hire me!” But in the end at any established company, all the processes will be in place. If you join a 10 person startup then that would be tougher but that can come after a couple years at SpaceX. But I don’t have to tell you this part with your medical industry experience. Good luck, feel free to reach out.
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- astrodynaman 6y agoThanks a ton for your detailed feedback, kejaed! I am very happy to see my hypothesis confirmed - that the industry of medical device software is somewhat applicable to the aerospace industry, and vice versa. For someone's future reference - or if you are still considering the jump yourself, MDSW's ISO/IEC 62304 is Aerospace's DO-178C. The AS9100 and ARPA4754 of Aerospace is the 13485 of Medical Device (+ some specific FDA Guidance on Connected/Electronic Systems that are not directly captured by the ISO standards). Whereas DAL seems to have a strong focus on availability of systems (reliability, redundancy etc.) in its assessment of Severity and classification of "System" levels, Medical Device Software is typically more focused on integrity (and more recently, confidentiality for Cloud-based systems) and obviously, foreseeable use and misuse of systems by its users. Essentially, only few Medical Devices have catastrophic outcomes in case of unavailability, but incorrect medicinal dosing algorithms are typically considered catastrophic. ISO 62304 operates with Class A-C Software Systems, a classification determined by the harm in case of a failure; a determination grounded in the intended use, clinical assessment and ISO 14971 Risk Assessment of the medical device.
- kejaed 6y agoI also realized my comment assumed you were in the USA. If not, I think it will be tough to get in at SpaceX specifically due to ITAR restrictions, which are a whole other new layer of 'fun' in aerospace and defence.
- killtimeatwork 6y ago>Recently I have realized that my true life-long passion is working in the Aerospace industry, specifically the Space industry. The terms "recently" and "life-long" seem contradictory.
- astrodynaman 6y agoHaha, indeed it does :-) English is not my native language. Recently I have contemplated a change of career. the Aerospace industry is indeed a life long passion, but never something I considered a career path in.