What Aerospace Engineers Do

Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

Work Environment

Aerospace engineers are employed in industries whose workers design or build aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense, or spacecraft. Aerospace engineers are employed primarily in manufacturing, analysis and design, research and development, and the federal government.

How to Become an Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or another field of engineering or science related to aerospace systems. Aerospace engineers that work on projects that are related to national defense may need a security clearance.

Job Outlook

Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2014 to 2024. Aircraft are being redesigned to cut down on noise pollution and to raise fuel efficiency, which will help sustain demand for research and development.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 83,000 jobs in 2012 and 72,500 jobs in 2014, reflecting a decline of 12.7%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 7.3% in 2022 to 89,100 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 84,200, compared with an observed value of 72,500, 13.9% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 2.0% in 2024 to 70,800 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 90,300 jobs for 2024, 27.5% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Aerospace Engineering Employment and Labor Information 2023

Aerospace Engineering Employment Brief:

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

Aerospace Engineering Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Aerospace Engineering.

Aerospace Engineering Responsibilities and Duties:

• Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
• Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
• Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
• Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
• Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
• Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
• Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
• Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
• Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.
• Design electrical and mechanical systems for avionic instrumentation applications.

Typical Daily Tasks of Aerospace Engineering:

• Getting Information.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
• Working with Computers: Operate computer systems.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Document design or operational test results. Document technical design details.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships.

Aerospace Engineering Skills and Requirements:

• DatabasesUsing a computer application to manage large amounts of information, including creating and editing simple databases, inputting data, retrieving specific records, and creating reports to communicate the information.
• Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• GraphicsWorking with pictures in graphics programs or other applications, including creating simple graphics, manipulating the appearance, and inserting graphics into other programs.
• Equipment Selection Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Persuasion Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Management of Financial Resources Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
• NavigationUsing scroll bars, a mouse, and dialog boxes to work within the computer's operating system. Being able to access and switch between applications and files of interest.
• Technology Design Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Aerospace Engineering Education and Training:

Typical education for include: Associate's degree.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians average pay is: $35.78 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing are the highest paid making $49.20, while Computer Systems Design and Related Services make the least at $31.18 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: