On the GO with an ATV engineer

by Diane Nelson

Imagine spending a week testing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Arizona. In March. As part of your job.

Valerie Sandefur did exactly that this year through Polaris Industries’ Engineering Development Program.

“We flew from Minnesota on a weekend and spent six days evaluating the ride and handling of several vehicles,” she said. “The weather is great in March and the area offers a lot of variety in terrain. Some people on this trip focused on riding all day and making sure the vehicles held up to the rough terrain. I helped tune the suspension of different models to make them more enjoyable to ride. After making a small change we’d take a short ride to see if the change made the ride better or worse.”

Sandefur’s trip was part of her two-year orientation as a recently hired associate engineer. She’s already spent time learning about other Polaris products, such as snowmobiles, by touring manufacturing facilities and working on assembly lines.

“Putting together a vehicle is like doing a puzzle with lots of pieces,” Sandefur said. “As a designer you have to understand the role all these pieces play and balance priorities and requirements. It’s a lot of fun, but very challenging.”

Her current assignment with a senior project engineer is focused on ATV suspension systems—including the springs, shock absorbers, and other parts that connect a vehicle to its wheels. The design of the suspension system affects how the rider feels when using the vehicle. It also affects how the machine is produced in the factory.

“We look at production issues, including comments from our manufacturing facilities and suppliers,” Sandefur said. “We also look at and test new designs and analyze the costs, risks, and benefits of using different designs.”

Problem-solving

Engineering professors will tell you it’s all part of the problem-solving role that engineers play in the transportation industry.

Sandefur says it just means every day at work is different from the day before and the day after.

“I might spend an entire day in the lab testing components (single parts) or systems (a small assembly of parts),” she explained. “Other days I will work on 10 different projects coordinating requests, researching issues, and providing input.”

One of her current projects is especially exciting.

“I am in charge of working out the details of a design using a new technology* by coordinating prototypes and testing the concept,” Sandefur said. “I enjoy the chance to manage a smaller project so early in my career and I like that I will be able to see it through.” (*Sometimes when working for a private company, employees can't say much about specific projects.)

Field testing experience

Using vehicles as they’re meant to be used in the field is also part of the problem solving. For example, the ATV testing in Arizona helped the team evaluate whether the vehicles are “tough enough.” They don’t want any parts to break under normal operating conditions. Such trips also hold the possibility for people getting temporarily lost in unfamiliar territory.

“Since this was my first trip to this site, I ended up ‘discovering’ a few new trails that our experienced test drivers had never been on,” Sandefur said. “Luckily they knew their way back, so everyone returned to base at the end of the day.”

During field testing, all riders are required to wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets.
“Accidents do happen and the rocks (and plants) are hard and sharp in Arizona, so everyone takes safety seriously,” she said.

Preparing for the job

“I chose to study engineering because it was challenging and hands-on and gave me the most choices for a full-time job,” Sandefur said. “Personally, I think things that move are more interesting, so during my years at Iowa State University I tried to narrow my focus to mechanical systems. Working on vehicles fits well with my technical interests and curiosity.”

Mechanical engineering is a versatile field in which students learn how to turn abstract ideas into real products that can be seen, held, and used. They have to pay careful attention to details, and also be able to communicate their thoughts through words and pictures that others can understand. Some of their core subjects include geometry, physics, trigonometry, and calculus.

Although mechanical engineers have been described as the "wheels of the world," working on vehicles is just one aspect of this broad field of engineering. Because of that diversity—and the fact that more than 200 colleges and universities offer accredited programs in engineering—career counselors usually recommend comparing school offerings to find the one that best matches your specific interests.

More than classes

During her college years, Sandefur looked for opportunities to get related work and leadership experiences. For example, she spent one semester away from campus in a cooperative education program (co-op) with Polaris Industries, and another semester on a study abroad program in Tasmania. She also was involved in the Iowa State University solar car team and held leadership positions in various clubs on campus.

She said it’s not unusual for students to join a company they had a co-op or internship with after graduation. “Working for a company while you're still a student lets them see what you can do and lets you see if you feel comfortable in their company culture.”

And what do companies want to see?

“Polaris and many other high-paced, innovative companies are looking for people who will take the initiative to excel,” Sandefur said. “They are looking for candidates who are dynamic, have integrity, take pride in their work, want to be part of a team, and who are able to learn and lead.”

Company policies vary in how they train new employees. Sandefur has appreciated the broad view she's had in learning about the different Polaris products. “It is motivating to work with a group of talented people who feel passionate about what they do,” she said. "We take the time to ride our products and understand what makes them better. We also work to exceed the emission and noise regulations and to improve our products to meet changing requirements.”

Basic requirements/qualifications

Bachelor of Science in mechanical, electrical, agricultural, or aerospace engineering

Many engineering programs recommend participation in a cooperative education (co-op) or internship program. This can add an extra one or two semesters but also provides general work experience as well as opportunities to learn what it's like to work in a specific company.

The average starting salary of mechanical engineering graduates is $54,000. Salaries for mechanical engineering students in co-op and internship programs range from $1,800 to $3,200 per month.

For more information, check general college guidebooks or visit these web sites:

Take charge and take time for fun

If Sandefur could pass on just two words to Go! readers, what would they be?

“Be proactive,” she said. “Get involved, go to career fairs, shadow professionals, and ABSOLUTELY take the time to do a co-op and/or study abroad!”

“Lots of people can go to school and take notes,” Sandefur said. “But if you look for opportunities to get outside of your comfort zone and prove to yourself and others that you can grow and develop, you will have no trouble finding a challenging and rewarding job.”

“School isn't just about studying and classes aren't just about grades. You might not know who you are or what you want to be, so take the time to explore. Take a social psychology class, art class, language class, anything to develop the other half of your brain.”

Would she have done anything differently during her school years?

“Not at all,” Sandefur said. “Every experience taught me something.”

Diane Nelson is an Iowa-based writer.