u/CarpenterFirm9100

Hey everyone! I have a Software Engineer I interview with Lockheed Martin on Monday, and I’m looking for any advice from people who’ve interviewed or worked there.
I’m a Biomedical Engineering student, so while I have programming experience, this would be my first software engineering role. I’m excited but definitely a bit nervous.
For those who have gone through the interview process:
What was the interview like?
What kinds of technical or behavioral questions were you asked?
Did they focus more on coding, projects, or problem-solving?
Any tips on how to prepare over the next few days?
Anything you wish you had known before your interview?
I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences you can share. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm a biomedical engineering senior working on my capstone project, and my team is designing a **mechanical pediatric knee extension brace** for treating post-operative knee flexion contractures after ACL reconstruction.

The device uses:

* BOA dial for adjustment
* Stainless steel cable (currently 1/16")
* Medial and lateral cable routing
* Side hinges
* No motors or actuators (purely mechanical)

The goal is to apply a **low-load, prolonged stretch** to gradually improve knee extension while keeping the force balanced to avoid twisting the knee.

Our biggest issue is that **tightening the BOA increases cable tension, but it doesn't actually generate enough knee extension.** It mostly seems to tighten the brace rather than rotate the calf into extension.

We've already considered:

* Different cable routing paths
* Larger cable guides/pulleys
* Moving the cable attachment farther from the hinge to increase the moment arm
* A floating bridge over the knee
* Static-progressive concepts similar to the Mackie Knee Brace

However, we're limited because we're near the end of the project and **can't completely redesign the device architecture (literally due in 2 weeks)** . We need to stay with:

* BOA dial
* Cable-driven system
* Side hinges
* Medial/lateral cable routing

My questions are:

1. How would you route the cables so tightening the BOA actually creates an extension moment instead of just compressing the brace?
2. Would adding pulleys or changing the cable angle help, or would that mostly increase friction and cable travel?
3. If you've designed cable-driven mechanisms before (orthotics, prosthetics, robotics, bicycle systems, etc.), what would you do differently?
4. Is there a cable routing strategy we're overlooking that can convert cable tension into hinge rotation without changing the entire design?

Any sketches, examples, patents, or similar mechanisms would be incredibly helpful. Even rough hand sketches or CAD screenshots would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm a biomedical engineering senior working on my capstone project, and my team is designing a mechanical pediatric knee extension brace for treating post-operative knee flexion contractures after ACL reconstruction.

The device uses:

• BOA dial for adjustment
• Stainless steel cable (currently 1/16")
• Medial and lateral cable routing
• Side hinges
• No motors or actuators (purely mechanical)

The goal is to apply a low-load, prolonged stretch to gradually improve knee extension while keeping the force balanced to avoid twisting the knee.

Our biggest issue is that tightening the BOA increases cable tension, but it doesn't actually generate enough knee extension. It mostly seems to tighten the brace rather than rotate the calf into extension.

We've already considered:

• Different cable routing paths
• Larger cable guides/pulleys
• Moving the cable attachment farther from the hinge to increase the moment arm
• A floating bridge over the knee
• Static-progressive concepts similar to the Mackie Knee Brace

However, we're limited because we're near the end of the project and can't completely redesign the device architecture. We need to stay with:

• BOA dial
• Cable-driven system
• Side hinges
• Medial/lateral cable routing

My questions are:

1. How would you route the cables so tightening the BOA actually creates an extension moment instead of just compressing the brace?
2. Would adding pulleys or changing the cable angle help, or would that mostly increase friction and cable travel?
3. If you've designed cable-driven mechanisms before (orthotics, prosthetics, robotics, bicycle systems, etc.), what would you do differently?
4. Is there a cable routing strategy we're overlooking that can convert cable tension into hinge rotation without changing the entire design?

Any sketches, examples, patents, or similar mechanisms would be incredibly helpful. Even rough hand sketches or CAD screenshots would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm a biomedical engineering senior working on my capstone project, and my team is designing a mechanical pediatric knee extension brace for treating post-operative knee flexion contractures after ACL reconstruction.

The device uses:

• BOA dial for adjustment
• Stainless steel cable (currently 1/16")
• Medial and lateral cable routing
• Side hinges
• No motors or actuators (purely mechanical)

The goal is to apply a low-load, prolonged stretch to gradually improve knee extension while keeping the force balanced to avoid twisting the knee.

Our biggest issue is that tightening the BOA increases cable tension, but it doesn't actually generate enough knee extension. It mostly seems to tighten the brace rather than rotate the calf into extension.

We've already considered:

• Different cable routing paths
• Larger cable guides/pulleys
• Moving the cable attachment farther from the hinge to increase the moment arm
• A floating bridge over the knee
• Static-progressive concepts similar to the Mackie Knee Brace

However, we're limited because we're near the end of the project and can't completely redesign the device architecture (literally due in 2 weeks) . We need to stay with:

• BOA dial
• Cable-driven system
• Side hinges
• Medial/lateral cable routing

My questions are:

1. How would you route the cables so tightening the BOA actually creates an extension moment instead of just compressing the brace?
2. Would adding pulleys or changing the cable angle help, or would that mostly increase friction and cable travel?
3. If you've designed cable-driven mechanisms before (orthotics, prosthetics, robotics, bicycle systems, etc.), what would you do differently?
4. Is there a cable routing strategy we're overlooking that can convert cable tension into hinge rotation without changing the entire design?

Any sketches, examples, patents, or similar mechanisms would be incredibly helpful. Even rough hand sketches or CAD screenshots would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hey!

I’m a Biomedical Engineering student graduating this August, and honestly, I’m starting to get worried about the job search.

I’ve applied to a ton of entry-level engineering positions and haven’t had much luck so far. My biggest interest is working in the defense/aerospace industry, but I’m not sure how realistic that is with a BME degree.

Most of the roles I see seem geared toward Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Industrial Engineering majors. I have experience with CAD/SolidWorks, research, data analysis, Arduino projects, and a senior design project involving a medical device, but I don’t have a traditional defense background.

For anyone who works in defense:
Is it possible to break into defense with a Biomedical Engineering degree?

What types of roles should I be targeting?

Are there certain companies that are more open to hiring BMEs?

Did anyone here make a similar transition from BME into defense, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality engineering, test engineering, etc.?

I’d appreciate any advice because I’m feeling a little lost right now. Thanks!

Hey!

I’m a Biomedical Engineering student graduating this August, and honestly, I’m starting to get worried about the job search.

I’ve applied to a ton of entry-level engineering positions and haven’t had much luck so far. My biggest interest is working in the defense/aerospace industry, but I’m not sure how realistic that is with a BME degree.

Most of the roles I see seem geared toward Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Industrial Engineering majors. I have experience with CAD/SolidWorks, research, data analysis, Arduino projects, and a senior design project involving a medical device, but I don’t have a traditional defense background.

For anyone who works in defense:
Is it possible to break into defense with a Biomedical Engineering degree?

What types of roles should I be targeting?

Are there certain companies that are more open to hiring BMEs?

Did anyone here make a similar transition from BME into defense, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality engineering, test engineering, etc.?

I’d appreciate any advice because I’m feeling a little lost right now. Thanks!

A few days ago, I applied for a Software Engineer Associate position at Lockheed Martin in the Alabama office

Two days later, I received an email saying my application and resume were under review along with a few follow-up questions. Then, two days after that, I unexpectedly received a call from a recruiter who walked me through the role, asked about my interests and career goals, and mentioned that I may hear back regarding an interview.

that was 5 ish days ago and havent heard anything back, idk what to expect or do?