Interview with a Mechanical Engineer(Heat Transfer)

Subbalakshmi Pisipati is a Mechanical Engineer and is currently working as Research Engineer at Electrolux, South Carolina, USA. Born in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India, Lakshmi found her way into becoming a Research Engineer at a very large Electronic Appliance manufacturing company. This is her career journey.

- What is Mechanical Engineering?

Lakshmi - It is about applying principle of engineering, physics and materials science for mechanical systems.

- What did you specialize in? Can you please explain your specialty?

Lakshmi - I specialize in heat transfer. Heat transfer is about studying how heat moves through vacuums, gases, liquids and solid objects.

Let me explain in a different way…As a mobile consumer, we always notice our mobile phones getting hot after long use. This is because of the excessive heat generated by components inside the mobile. When this heat becomes excessive, mobile device becomes inefficient. This is where I come in and help manufacturing companies make better appliances/electronic devices so that deleterious effects of heat transfer is limited.

- What are you currently working on?

Lakshmi - I work in Food Preservation division of Electrolux, manufacturer of electronic appliances. Electrolux manufactures appliances like refrigerators, cooking ranges, washers, dryers etc. I work in the R & D for refrigerators.

In refrigerators, there are multiple components like compressor, evaporator, fan etc. With proper design, assembly, making of these components, we get a well functioning refrigerator in which cool air flows uniformly. As a research engineer, I observe operation of several refrigerator models using a simulation software and see if the cool air flows uniformly and as per specifications. 

- Can you explain chain of tasks involved in your line of work?

Lakshmi - Our R & D Manager prioritizes work orders and assigns them to our team. Based on the work order specifications, CAD designers design the virtual object/3-dimensional refrigerator on the computer and I receive the geometry model. Using computational fluid dynamics software, I make the design simulation ready and run the software. I analyze the results, make a report and forward it to my supervisor and the person who requested the work order in the first place.

Minimal heat transfer/ uniform air flow implies well performing refrigerator. All this work is about manufacturing a well functioning and good quality refrigerator.

- When and how did you first realize your interest in mechanical engineering?

Lakshmi - I have always been very curious about how things work in real world. That’s what mechanical engineering is about right. I became very interested in automobiles during my 12^th grade and wanted to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and especially in automobile industry.

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- How did you pursue your passion in mechanical systems?

Lakshmi - I chose to major in Mechanical Engineering in Bachelors of Technology. And went on to specialize in Automation and Robotics in Masters of Technology from Osmania University, Andhra Pradesh, India. I then applied for Ph.D at State University of NewYork and received a doctorate from Watson School of Engineering and Technology

- What challenges did you face in your pursuit?

Lakshmi - I came from a very traditional family and was raised on the salary of a lecturer at Polytechnic College. It was hard to dream big and have high expectations.

One of my biggest challenges was to land a job after my Ph.D in US. Immigration status became the biggest obstacle and it was very hard to get a job offer with visa sponsorship. Luckily, all my hard work paid off and Electrolux offered me my dream job.

- How did you overcome these challenges?

Lakshmi - I have a very supporting family and they were always behind me in every step. Hardwork and passion really kept me focus on my goals.

- What advice and suggestions do you have for young children?

Lakshmi - I advice young children to discover what they are passionate about and they should run with it. As far as Mechanical Engineering field is concerned, look around you in this 21^st century and have zeal to explore and know the physics and mechanism behind every “machine”.

If you are already doing Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, training or experience in following software packages might give you an edge over someone.

CAD-CAM Packages: Pro/Engineer, Auto CAD, CATIA

CFD/FEA Packages: CFX, ANSYS, Flotherm, COMSOL Multiphysics, Star CCM +