Keys to NVH Engineering Success You Won’t Learn in School

Based on 44 years of NVH engineering experience, there are some keys to success that aren’t taught in engineering schools. This paper will describe these in detail and provide examples to add context. The keys are: 1. A good generalist makes a better expert. The more you understand about the complete product development process, and the better contacts you have throughout the product development organization, the easier it will be for you to find cost effective solutions to your specific issues. 2. Know your customers, and that means both internal and external customers. If you work for a supplier, it means OEMs and end users. The more you understand about the customers’ needs, the better you can address them and make your product stand out. 3. Make a crazy idea practical. Sometimes you might find a completely insane solution to your problem, such as making a major component out of solid gold. If you can use the insight gained from the insane solution to develop a practical solution, you’ve succeeded. If April first is coming up, there is an additional opportunity: recommend the insane solution to management. 4. Insubordination can get you fired, but occasionally it’s the only way to solve a problem. 5. Occasionally, the coin will drop. Sometimes you will feel like you’re beating your head against a wall trying to solve a problem. Once in a great while, the solution will come to you suddenly when you aren’t even consciously thinking about it. That’s part of the mysterious way a brain works. Celebrate the unexpected success! 6. Occasionally, the coin will never drop. Sometimes you will run into a problem that will never be solved. Learn to accept occasional defeat and move on rather than devote more time, money, and self-confidence to a losing cause.