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Aerospace Engineer
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What does an Aerospace Engineer do?
Aerospace engineers design, analyze, test, troubleshoot and develop advanced technology in defense systems, spacecraft, and aviation. They develop the standards for quality control and design processes, identify issues for products that aren’t working properly, and try to find solutions to fix those issues. They also test electronic prototypes to make sure they function properly according to design, and develop new technologies to be used in space exploration, aviation, and defense systems.
Aerospace engineers can specialize in a specific type of electrical aerospace product, such as missiles and rockets, military fighter jets, spacecraft, helicopters, or commercial aircraft. Or they may choose to specialize in specific areas, such as instrumentation and communication, navigation and control, electronic structural design, guidance, or production methods.
What is the salary of an Aerospace Engineer?
Aerospace Engineer Salary According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $118,610 in May 2021.
Salary
Aerospace engineers earn an average yearly salary of $118,610.
Starting-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$34.99 per hour
$72,770 per year
Senior-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$71.43 per hour
$148,570 per year
Mid-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$57.02 per hour
$118,610 per year
Top-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$82.32 per hour
$171,220 per year
Junior-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$43.98 per hour
$91,480 per year
Aerospace engineers earn an average yearly salary of $118,610.
- Starting-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$34.99 per hour | $72,770 per year
- Junior-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$43.98 per hour | $91,480 per year
- Mid-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$57.02 per hour | $118,610 per year
- Senior-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$71.43 per hour | $148,570 per year.
- Top-level aerospace engineer earnings begin at:
$82.32 per hour $171,220 per year
These are 2021 national salary averages and may fluctuate based on location.
What does the workplace for an Aerospace Engineer look like?
Aerospace engineers work in offices, laboratories, or manufacturing environments where they design or build electronics for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, or systems for national defense. They work for either private companies or the federal government where they can engage in manufacturing, analysis and design, and research and development.
Typical employers include:
Aerospace and aero-engine companies
Airline operators
Research and development organizations
Contract agencies / Consultancies
Government agencies such as The Ministry of Defense
Aerospace engineers typically spend a considerable amount of time in office environments, working with computers and sophisticated software programs in order to assist with design elements. These software programs build virtual models, and it is up to the aerospace engineer to run test simulations and perform evaluations before the manufacturing process begins.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineer?
High school students interested in studying aerospace engineering should take courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
Entry-level aerospace engineers usually need a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor degree programs in aerospace engineering are designed to take four years and include classroom, laboratory, and field studies in subjects such as general engineering principles, propulsion, stability and control, structures, mechanics, and aerodynamics (which is the study of how air interacts with moving objects).
Some colleges and universities offer cooperative programs, in partnership with industry, that give students practical experience while they complete their education. Cooperative programs and internships allow students to get valuable experience and to finance part of their education.
At some universities, a student can enroll in a five-year program that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree upon completion. A graduate degree will allow an engineer to work as an instructor at a university or to do research and development.
FAQs
Main duties of electrical engineers working in the aerospace industry:
- Work on guidance and communication systems, radars or satellites
- Contribute to the development of new hybrid or fully electric propulsion systems for aeroplanes or other aircraft
- Collaborate with other aerospace engineers and specialists to determine which materials should be used to ensure the safety of the passengers and the reliability of the entire electrical system
Aerospace engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. High school students interested in studying aerospace engineering should take classes in chemistry, physics, and math.
This career requires a lot of training and education before you can get a job. The absolute minimum credential you will need is a bachelor’s degree in engineering. However, it may be difficult to find jobs if you do not get a bachelor’s specifically in aerospace engineering. Many aerospace engineering jobs even require candidates to have a master’s degree or doctorate degree.
Aerospace engineers may design specific aerospace products, such as commercial and military airplanes and helicopters; remotely piloted aircraft and rotorcraft; spacecraft, including launch vehicles and satellites; and military missiles and rockets.
