How realistic is it to freelance as a mechanical engineer doing CAD models and drawings or doing structural analyses for people? Do people actually need/buy that from random websites like Upwork? I want make some extra buck.
Also, general freelancing thread if you want to discuss relevant topics.
>doing structural analyses for people?
Here in NC you would have to be a Professional Engineer, and yes, people would hire you especially if you had a reputation for doing good work on time etc.
structural analysis could literally mean anything. you don't need a PE license to do cad/fea work for pretty much anything outside of civil. even that you would just pay a PE to review and sign off.
Yep, you'd need to be a PE and likely be assuming a significant risk. Also, your actual job probably owns all your work product, on or off the clock, depending on the contract you signed.
If you're a broke mech eng commit crime. It's always those that are capable of profitable crime that don't commit it.
PEngs work like laywers.
They farm out all their shit to interns and underlings. A friend of mine is a PEng, and he sends all his stuff to his old buddies back in india.
All he gotta do is put his john henry on the completed work and carry the insurance policies.
So yeah, needing to be a PE is bullshit in the real world. You’re always meeting with the white face-man/ringer but the work is offshored for $5/hour.
Back in uni when I had a CSWP and only a BSc in mech Eng I tried something like this. Money can be made, but it turned to be much easier making models for 3D printing, renders for their slide shows or consumer products (so convert badly made prototypes to 3D model to have it produced by other machinists). It’s a lot easier to find gigs that it doesn’t involve actual engineering like structural.
But you must be willing to draw stuff like warhammer figurines, landmarks, candle holders, air conditioner covers, these things woman use to pee standing up, etc
That'd be better for someone with art training than engineering. The difference between regular 3d models and 3d printer 3d models is not that big.
Cool, thanks for the input. Any ideas where to find work/commission for these kinds of models?
I agree that perhaps CAD modelling/analysis for engineering parts might not really be worth it if you are not going full time, it seems you have to dedicate yourself fully to that wrt to certs, contracts and website etc. I was thinking motorcycle enthusiasts or hobby builders might be a good clientele but perhaps the demand is not that great for FEA work in that category.
Could you hypothetically form a private association with your clients where you aren't consulting to the public and therefore laws regarding licensing are null and void? You'd have to be good though.
Depends on the specific work you're doing. If its anything construction related, forget about it. Most jurisdictions in the US (that have building codes) will required a licensed PE to sign the prints. Even if they don't, if anything went wrong the owners of the structure would get absolutely raped in court and by their own insurance companies.
What if you hired a random PE to sign off on it?
Sure. But unless they are a real low life, they'll re-do and check all the work and you'll end up paying basically the same you would have to have them do it in the first place. Remember that their stamp on the plans means that they are stating that they are certifying the plans as valid and safe for the requested application, and are accepting liability for any mistakes.
That was why I said:
>You'd have to be good though.
Basically, you'd have to come up with a better design than you could hire someone to make. Also, if you had a ABET accreditation, couldn't that experience count towards a licensure?
No. An ABET accredited degree makes you eligible to begin counting time under a PE to become licensed. Your time in an educational institution does not count as work experience.
> does it require a degree?
no
> how much competition will you be facing?
a ton
> how many fresh graduates will flock in to this same thing each year.
a ton
> is AI already capable of providing your services?
very much so
I don't think there's much future doing that OP.
I would like to free lance as a mobile app developer but have no idea how to practically do this. I just know the software side not the business side.
as long as you didnt sign an invention clause
>Do people actually need/buy that from random websites like Upwork?
No, it's 99% weathly saudi students outsourcing their engineering homework
I need design help:
I think your only hope is to advertise yourself to house flippers / renovators btw and get some certs in HVAC / electrical / plumbing / or at least have the ability to design decks to city specs.