Aerospace Engineers

What the work involves

• Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
• Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
• Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
• Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
• Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
• Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
• Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.

What to study

The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.

• Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringSee 76 colleges that teach it
• Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringSee 410 colleges that teach it
• Mechanical EngineeringSee 408 colleges that teach it

Who it suits

O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.

• Analytical and curious

• Hands-on and practical

• Organised and precise

Careers like this one

• Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar$122,930
• Mechanical Engineers$104,110
• Electrical Engineers$120,630
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$130,220
• Computer Hardware Engineers$161,740
• Industrial Engineers$102,440