Aerospace Engineer Careers

Careers in engineering present challenging positions and career opportunities across a variety of industries.

Upon deciding to pursue an engineering career path, one must choose among the different types of engineering specialties such as aerospace, civil, electrical, and chemical engineering. The aerospace engineering specialty features assignments that are literally out of this world.

Definition And Nature Of The Work For Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace engineering is the study of the design, development, and production of air and spacecraft. This engineering discipline is often divided between those who pursue careers on the aeronautical side and those working on spacecraft. Both air and space vehicles contain complex subsystems that require specialists from many engineering groups such as electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering.

However, the broad knowledge of air and spacecraft possessed by aerospace engineers best equips them to serve as systems engineers or engineering project managers on most aerospace projects. Aerospace engineers functioning as systems engineers or engineering project managers on projects manage aerospace development and upgrade efforts from an enterprise perspective.

Aerospace Engineer Schools

A Day In The Life Of An Aerospace Engineer

Junior level aerospace engineers use their knowledge of aerospace theory gained through a relevant educational background to work as consultants for aerospace companies. Since the aerospace industry is a mature one, there are not a lot of drastically innovative designs to learn at a rapid pace as with other information technology projects.

Junior consultants who have the foundational elements of aerospace vehicle development and have learned the unique elements of specific vehicles pertaining to their client's project make valuable contributions to the team relatively quickly.

As they gain more real world experience, these aerospace engineers receive greater job responsibilities and opportunities for career advancement. Mid-level aerospace engineers usually serve as systems engineers while senior-level aerospace engineers find themselves working as engineering managers or project managers.

Aerospace vehicles contain many subsystems, and it is the job of aerospace engineers working as managers to be expertly familiar with the functions of all subsystems. Some common vehicle components include the engine, system propulsion, avionics, computer control system, and air and space craft structure. These aerospace engineers oversee the upgrades to these subsystems and assess the risks or benefits to the overall system.