Do bus makers employ any design engineers?

[belfert]

I already purchased the stainless steel hardware today.  I need to get the headlight assembly reinstalled tomorrow so I can take the bus to get the windshield replaced Monday.

[kyle4501]

Not all engineers have their head up their ***, it just seems that way. 

I started out as an auto mechanic. I went to college so I could become a designer & fix those problems. The frustration I had working on stuff pales in comparison to the frustration I have from the 'unforeseen' constraints placed on the end product. While a lack of cranial capacity may be the cause some of the time.     Sometimes, the cosmetic styling overrides all else.     Sometimes it is a delivery time line that cannot move. Sometimes it is lack of available tooling, sometimes . . . .

I am fortunate in that I get to see my designs fabricated, built & tested all in the same building that I work. If something is difficult, I hear about it & we discuss the options - sometimes it is modified, sometimes the prints are changed for the next one, & sometimes it stays the way it is as that is the best compromise.

The compromises are often complex because of all the unseen baggage, but there is seldom time or capital to allow a start over. Sometimes what looks so good on paper ain't worth nuttin' in reality.

Good luck with your repairs.

[Len Silva]

It wasn't always that way.  The venerable PD4104 was designed to be repaired and rebuilt multiple times. The 4104 maintenance manual is incredibly detailed and almost fun to read.