From an interest in automotive mechanics to controls engineer at Blue Origin

Steve Zimmerman

Job: Modelling and Simulation Engineer, Blue Origin

What got you interested in engineering?

I always liked building things, and I also really enjoyed math. For awhile I thought of becoming an automotive mechanic, but I wanted a job that included more math. Engineering was a way for me to pursue both of these interests.  

 

You did the Engineering Transfer Program – how was that experience for you?

When I applied to university, I was accepted into science at UBC but not engineering. Although I had an admissions offer to study engineering at a different university, I wanted to do engineering at UBC because I had heard great things about the program. I chose to do to the Engineering Transfer Program at Capilano University and then transfer into UBC for second year. I really enjoyed my year at Capilano: it was close to home and an easy decision financially. Also, the classes maxed out at around 30 students and the profs were outstanding. 

Engineering Transfer Program

 

Any highlights from your time as an undergraduate at UBC?

Many Mechanical Engineering courses – starting with MECH 2 – require you to spend a lot of time in the machine shop. 

It’s very valuable to go through the hard and challenging process of actually fabricating things yourself, figuring out why initial concepts might not have worked and then redesigning as needed.

My involvement with UBC AeroDesign is another example of the satisfaction that comes from building things. The team designs and builds remotely controlled airplanes and drones. 

I initially joined as a team member and then progressed to being captain when we designed and build a 50-pound airplane that we entered into a heavy-lift competition in the US. 

To be honest, being part of this team was an insane amount of work. But it was a fantastic opportunity to gain very solid project experience. That generates certain advantages and can help you stand out when applying for jobs, but more importantly, it’s really just a lot of fun. 

As team captain, I also learned a lot about the non-technical aspects of engineering and what it takes to manage people and build a great team. Those skills have also been very useful in my career.

 

Tell us about your decision to do a master’s degree.

I had really enjoyed an undergraduate research project I did in fourth year, and I decided to stay on at UBC to do a master’s degree to continue on with elements of that project. I was working Steve Rogak’s Aerosol Laboratory on an application of machine learning with drones. The basic idea was to create a machine learning algorithm that could turn a drone into a wind sensor capable of estimating wind velocity. 

 

Where are you working now?

After I finished my master’s degree I got a job at Blue Origin in Seattle where I am a controls engineer. I really enjoy the technical problem-solving nature of my job, which enables me to integrate core mechanical engineering principles with elements of software engineering design. 

 

Any advice for new students?

I would definitely recommend getting involved in student design teams and co-op – both are great ways to gain experience. I also recommend grad school if there’s an area that you are particularly interested in and want to explore it at a deeper level.  

Two UBC mechanical engineering students prepare for the autonomous landing platform competition.

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