I'm not really sure how much feedback that I will get, but here is my situation. I raced in the 1980's and never lost the bug. Since then I joined the Army and went to college to get a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, currently I am working on my Master's degree. I started racing again this year.

To make a long story short, hopefully it's not too late..., I would like to find a job in the BMX industry. I have looked on quite a few websites, but I am having a hard time finding any career opportunities with any of the manufacturers.

Any help would be appreciated. I am willing to relocate to almost anywhere.

Bill

Trek and Specialized are your best bets.

As long as you don't mind working harder than you think you should for less than you think anyone should ever make you'll do fine in the bike biz. I worked for Haro for a few years and although I managed to fill my garage with bikes the same could not be said of money in my 401K. The people were some of the best I've ever worked with though and in the end I wish I never left. Be ridiculously persistant, take whatever they offer you and Good luck.
Nate

Thought of something else..... Consider starting in another industry and then plan on making a lateral or better move later. I didnt plan it but this is how it worked for me, I started in the motorcycle/motocross industry and then made the move to Haro. If you were to target motocross, mountain bike, skateboard, footwear and BMX in Southern California you would literally open yourself up to THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of companies that could use your skills. Once your in the door of any of these companies you'd be amazed at how many oportunities you'll have to network. Haro was in a crazy area, SPY was next door, DC and Duffs were down the street, NO Fear and jet pilot were a couple streets over.....and thats just one small area. Dont limit yourself to just Bmx in the beginning.

Taiwan?

or how 'bout China?

Contrary to popular belief, not everything is manufactured overseas. With the companies that do manufacture products outside of the US, most of them have have engineers stateside overseeing the production of their product, setting up new production lines for new products, discussing quality issues with their production facilities, etc.

Manufacturing in the states is on the uprise, even in todays economic woes. It may be hard to believe, but its true. With the dollar being so weak, companies are finding it cheaper to bring production back stateside. Why do you think some of the foreign auto makers are producing vehicles in the states.

If it means getting my foot in the door, I would have to go overseas to work, so be it. If the money is right, I have no problem living overseas. I already have done that, Asia and Europe for 6 years.

I understand all of those things you just said.

Now, go grab a catalogue of BMX stuff and show me which ones are manufactured in the US. I'll make it a little easier and even say North America. Then, tell me any that have an engineer on staff.

I'm sorry to break this to you but jobs "in BMX" don't pay. You'd have better luck if you were a graphic designer.

With that said, don't ever listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do it.

As former bike industry friend of mine once put it.. "We all take a vow of poverty upon accepting our jobs." Damn, was he right.. While there are some perks to working in the bike biz, I would gladly take a good job in another field and actually have the money to buy parts and go to races. What good are cheap parts if you can't afford them?

Anyone looking for an employee in the Santa Clarita/ San Fernando Valley area with a lot of sales, customer service, and warehouse experience?

Brian

I tried it a few years ago.. I moved to California and everything.. I just couldn't do it.. The money was not there at all.. This was for a rider owned company.. I only lasted about a month, and seen a grim future and decided to go back home... Can't live out there on those bike wages.. that is if I ever wanted to own anything of value..

How about racing??

There was an article in Ride BMX about careers in the BMX industry two, maybe three years back. It was a winter issue, like January or February. Would you consider working for a big bike company that does all kinds of bikes and not just BMX? It might be the best way to go. You'd probably have more options that way. Just a guess. Good luck!

Do not know if this will help, but I became an outside rep for

http://undergroundproducts.com/

I kind of lucked into it. I do not work for the comany, But When I needed race jeresey's let's just say i got a real good deal. as of today I have not made alot, but with the economy the way it is I do not expect to this year. Sometimes you have to be paitent. Bro I wish you all the luck in the world.

I wonder how some of these companies are going to stay in business.. It's tough enough for some of the bigger companies to sell bikes and products. But some of the rider owned, of which you have a better shot at working for, how do they do it?? Like FBM, 2 Hip or We The People.. The only people that ride those bikes are they're factory riders... They all must have full time jobs besides running the bike company??

I agree with MXNate. I would move towards the motorbike scene as they all sooner or later kind of merge or cross paths. I onced toured the Confederate Motor bike shop. First I was stunned to see it was not much of a shop at all, yet they sold to the Jay Leno's of the world and alike. Anyhow the next thing that jumped out at me was how young the people were working for this guy. He told me he hired kids that were the best in their trade. He had a skate board kid, Motocross rider, auto body, engine mechanic and a welder. This was pretty much his staff and is NO BS. He told me that he wanted a cross of all trades as that is what kept his bikes fresh and unique with ideas.
Check his site out...http://www.confederate.com/confederate3/fighter.php
Anyhow once you get in that industry most motobike, BMX and Skateboard shows cross each other somewhere.

I have debated retiring out of law enforcement in the next few years and and wanting to work in the industry pretty badly. Thing is, with two divorces with kids in both, I HAVE to make a certain level of income for at least the next 13 years. I have no "clout" in the industry which I imagine makes it hard to obtain a job in same. (I DO have prior experience in the retail industry) I have kicked around trying to invest in a bike shop (I know of one for sale in my locale) but said divorces have hurt my credit so I would have to likely go into it with a partner. Could dabble in writing but would have to have a lot of work thrown my way. (I did have an article published in BMX World recently which was a very satisfying experience for me)

I dont have to work in a BMX specific venue, but of course, it is my preference.

In other words, I am right there with you. Wanna be partners in a bike shop in Texas??? LMAO

Dreamer, I too have two divorces. Texas is a very big state, but like the song, ALL MY EX'S LIVE IN TX. I don't think it is big enough. LMAO. My dream job would be working for a company that deals primarily in BMX and working as an engineer with the developement of new products or making the existing products better. I am a racer at heart, since I have been in the racing enviroment off and on for about 25 years.

Thanks everybody for the feedback that has been given, keep it coming. I know there is a company out there that would be grateful to have an engineer on staff. I just need to find that company.

i have personally been in and out (mostly in) the bike industry for ...jeez, probably fifteen years or so now, and i think that as far as working specifically on bmx, probably not. bmx is a young mans game and working for a small company works best in your early twenties, when a small crappy apartment with a bunch of other bmxers, driving crappy cars and eating ramen is acceptable. i would be extremely surprised to find out that any of the popular racing companies employ any engineers at all. for the most part bmx engineering is done in asia by the manufacturers there. your best bet for an engineering related job is going to be with one of the large companies such as giant, trek, cannondale or specialized.
the bicycle industry in general does employ many engineers and a couple places to look would be:

http://bicycleindustryjobs.com/
and
http://bicycleretailer.com/

in particular you should look at
http://www.bicycleretailer.com/classifieds...Detail/610.html

don't expect to get rich in the bike industry, but it is possible to make a living. plus, man its lots of fun!
good luck
don

Look, at the end of the day you have to do something you love, something that challenges you and keeps you satisfied. You don't strike me as the kind of engineer content to calculate the structural integrity of a sign post or the weight limit of a certain stretch of road, if you want to apply your education in an interesting way then do it......and accept the result. No one can tell you what your limits are so consider what they might be, do you hate being on a budget, do you hate knowing that you make less than a counterpart in another industry, do you hate the idea of putting your lofty dreams on hold? A yes to any one of these would be a nail in the coffin for the bike biz, but if you decide that in order to do something you love, that's challenging and that will satisfy your willing to make sacrafices then why not. Do your homework, don't assume anything and sell yourself as the total package, bike companies are cheap and love the idea of paying for one person and getting the skills of 2 or 3. Good luck.
Note: from now until Jan-Feb would be a good time to get meetings, after Interdork and before the pre spring hysteria.
Nate