Career Overview
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Also Known As
- Aerospace Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Flight Test Engineer
- Systems Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- Aerodynamicist
- Aerodynamics Engineer
- Aeronautical Design Engineer
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Aeronautical Project Engineer
- Aeronautical Research Engineer
- Aeronautical Test Engineer
- Aerospace Design Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Aerospace Physiologist
- Aerospace Programmable Logic Design Engineer
- Aerospace Quality Engineer
- Aerospace Stress Engineer
- Aerospace Systems Engineer
- Aircraft Design Engineer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
- Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
- Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
- Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
- Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
- Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
- Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Develop and test autonomous systems for uncrewed aerospace vehicles.
- Develop software for aerospace systems.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Analysis
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Oral Comprehension
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Innovation
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
- Achievement
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C
- C#
- C++
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Extensible markup language XML
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Acoustic emissions systems
- Anechoic chambers
- Argon-ion lasers
- Atomic force microscopes
- Axial flow compressor facilities
- Axial flow research fans
- Axial flow turbines
- Centerless grinders
- Cluster computers
- Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines
- Digital oscilloscopes
- Digital pressure gauges
- Digital voltmeters DVM
- Electronic flight instrument systems EFIS
- Electronic pressure scanners
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $85,350 |
| Median | $134,830 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $205,850 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 68,440
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $79,830
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $70,760
Avionics Technicians
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $81,390
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $68,730
Mechanical Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $102,320
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.