With decades of experience in aerospace and engineering software, Joe Konecny has seen the industry evolve firsthand. In this spotlight, he reflects on his career path, his role at PCC Aerostructures and the value of staying connected through COE.
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COE: Can you share your journey to this industry and to your current role?
Joe Konecny (JK): I always wanted to be an aerospace engineer since I was a kid watching NASA rocket launches on TV with my family. When I graduated from Case Western Reserve University with an aerospace engineering degree during the 1990s, the aerospace industry was in a downturn. So, I took a job with a software reseller for Dassault Systèmes and some other software OEMs called Compass Technologies. One of the first things they taught me was CATIA V4, and I was an application engineer doing demos for potential customers in all different industries. After years of being an AE for several different companies and learning CADAM, CATIA V5, CATIA V6, 3DExperience, DELMIA, ENOVIA and many other Dassault products, I transitioned to a consulting role in which I automated CATIA for many large customers. Then 10 years ago the opportunity came up to join PCC Aerostructures to do the same job of automating CATIA, but just for them. This led me to my current role as manager of engineering software and systems.
COE: What do you enjoy most about your current role?
JK: I enjoy the variety of things that I do. One thing I learned a long time ago is that I didn’t want to just design the same widget repeatedly in a large OEM. While consulting, I got to continue to learn and grow while working on a variety of projects in a variety of industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, tires, tool & die, machining and consumer goods. And when I got to PCC aerostructures, it’s pretty much the same thing (except all within aero/defense). There is always something new to learn and a different problem to solve. I think engineers are problem solvers at heart and that’s what I continue to enjoy most in my current role.
COE: What advice would you have for someone interested in pursuing a role in this industry?
JK: First, I think very strong math skills continue to be important — even though we are moving to a time when computers and AI will handle a lot of that. The main thing I got out of college was the ability to look at a problem, analyze it, formulate a plan to attack it and then to solve it. So, I think my biggest recommendation would be to work on your problem-solving skills. Once you have that it can help you in any number of engineering and non-engineering fields.
COE: What is something that has surprised you about working in the industry?
JK: How many non-engineering things I’ve had to learn along the way. From finance to contracts, from IT to hardware, from software to hand calculations — and then there’s the management and project management side of it. Coming into the industry, I didn’t realize how engineering touches so many other activities within the company, and how I would have to learn each of these.
COE: What are some highlights of your time as a COE member?
JK: I have been a member of COE since the mid-1990s, and I remember the very large conferences that we had at that time. There were routinely over 1000 customers at the conference, and it was very valuable for all of us to ask questions and see how other companies were utilizing Dassault Systèmes products. I don’t know how many projects I got help on either at the COE conference over the years or through contacts I made at COE. And the old COE website was a hotbed of activity and learning. With the new addition of the COE 3DSwym Community Forum, I can see this continuing well into the future. I also always enjoy meeting and talking to the Dassault team which I would not have access to without being a member of COE.
COE: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
JK: I have played the electric guitar since I was a kid, and I still enjoy playing. I had a band when I was in college, and we still get together from time to time in my basement studio. I also enjoy smoking meat in the summertime including ribs, brisket, pork shoulder, etc. I find it very relaxing with a beer on a Saturday afternoon. I’m also a dog dad to my huskies Tundra and Snacks and a cat dad to Jackpot and Blackjack. And as you can tell by the names of my cats, I enjoy hitting the casino from time to time. Lastly, I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio so I’m an avid fan of the sports teams, and I’ve been a Cleveland Browns season ticket holder since the team came back in 1999. I’ve seen a lot of very bad football in the last 26 years.