I mainly worked production, but we did share some of the test cells with R&D. I've only lost two engines myself (one was a compressor blade ingestion, the other was a DECU failure that fried the hot section).
Thanks for the post reply - brings back memories of my younger years. I work in a nice quiet office now (that I'm old and grey).
I relate to “old and grey.”
I worked 2 years in PWA’s Production Test, almost exclusively on military engines: F100, TF30, TF33, J52. Then 4 years in Experimental Assembly and Test, working: JT9D, PW2037, V2500, and PW4000 series engines.
Later in my career, I did 9 years in an overhaul shop, on various JT8D engines, from the early models (-11, -15, -17) up to the -200 high-bypass series. I also worked on GG4 and FT4 industrial gas generators and free turbines.
Spent another 8 years on the flight line, working everything from corporate hot rods to commercial passenger and cargo heavies.
Eventually, my body began telling me “Son, you just can’t treat me this way any longer.”
I still have the Snap-On tools and roll-away, but my days working aviation are long since passed - thank God!