Life as a Manufacturing Industrial Physicist in the Automotive Sector

For physicists, there are a significant number of career opportunities available within both the manufacturing and industry related job markets. However, as physicist trained traditionally at an academic institution, it is possible to encounter notable challenges in terms of research mindset when transitioning towards working in an industrial setting. Fundamental research is relatively rare within the manufacturing industry, and an applied research role dedicated to solving practical problems critical for the business is far more likely. In the first portion of this presentation, I will provide an overview of my career, from obtaining a Ph.D. in experimental condensed matter physics, to working in the automotive industry. The second portion will focus on the rapid pace in which technology is changing, its implication on the skills demanded within the manufacturing industry's workforce, and the role physicists can play in accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption.