Are you here to give a flying start to your aerospace career?
Aerospace engineers are responsible for some of mankind's incredible innovations. In addition to manufacturing aircraft and aerospace products, including satellites and missiles, they also develop equipment for weather forecasts, television broadcasts, and mobile phones.
Typically, aerospace engineering is a technical job requiring ingenuity, technological talents, and computing numeracy. If you’re looking for a secure career with a well-paid salary, aerospace engineering jobs can offer exciting opportunities. Since it’s a highly skilled profession, it is in great demand. You can make flights comfortable and safe for passengers using your skills and expertise.
Role and responsibilities of aerospace engineers
Aerospace engineers primarily develop systems and technologies for the aviation industry, spacecraft, and national defence of a country. They specialise in areas such as structural design, navigation and control, robotics, and instrumentation.
Aerospace products developed by aerospace engineers include military and commercial planes, rockets, military missiles, spacecraft, and satellites. Typically, there are two types of aerospace engineers: astronautical engineers and aeronautical engineers. While aeronautical engineers are concerned with the construction and performance of an aircraft, astronautical engineers are involved in technology related to spacecraft and satellites.
In order to fulfill their role, aerospace engineers do the following tasks.
- Coordinate the design, manufacturing, and testing of aircraft and aerospace products.
- Assess the feasibility of projects, especially on technical and financial terms.
- Determine the safety of operations and projects.
- Evaluate designs and proposals based on engineering principles and environmental regulations.
- Inspect malfunctions or any damaged products. Also, identify problems and provide possible solutions.
Becoming an aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineering qualifications usually include a bachelor’s degree at minimum. The degree must typically be related to the field of aerospace engineering and usually takes three years to complete. Many universities offer a longer program to students offering a bachelor’s and Master’s degree together. Furthermore, there are Postgraduate degrees for those who want to study at an advanced level. Aerospace engineers holding a Master’s degree will have better job opportunities as well as higher salary packages.
Besides having an educational qualification, there’s a vocational route for those who do not want to pursue an academic pathway to become an aerospace engineer. An apprenticeship is the best way for them to achieve their qualification while doing hands-on training. Apprentices who are passionate about their work can enter into senior roles if they have the right skill set.
One of the most important requirements for aerospace engineers is the accreditation of engineering programs. Such programs are generally accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society. Completing an accredited program ensures that students or employees have received the best training and education in aerospace engineering.
Accreditation is a form of insurance in which you have had a high-quality qualification. A few engineering programs accredited by RAS include BEng/MEng Aerospace Engineering and MSc Advanced Aerospace Engineering.
Career paths of aerospace engineers
Once you finish off your degree as an aerospace engineer, there are varied career paths for you to follow. You don’t necessarily have to delve into the manufacturing of aircraft or spacecraft. There’s also a lot of work related to designing parts, processing simulation data, or drafting drawings. Some possible aerospace engineering jobs include;
- Aircraft designers are those concerned with designing private or commercial air travel aircraft.
- Mechanical engineer – those manufacturing parts for spacecraft, airplanes or missiles.
- Aerospace technicians – those concerned with the installation, testing, maintenance, and repair of aircraft or equipment related to them.
- Data processing manager – those creating simulations that augment research. This is done to find better solutions to problems identified.
- Compliance officers – those ensuring the safety of everyone and maintaining the quality of the aircraft.
Aerospace engineers designated at higher positions also have the authority to give the go-ahead to an aircraft so that it is ready for service.
Aerospace engineers salary
The average salary of aerospace engineers is around £48,000 per year. Newly qualified aerospace engineers have starting salaries between £25,000 to £28,000 per year. As your work experience increases, so does your expertise, so your salary may increase to £40,000 per year. Those working at senior level positions earn around £78,000 or more annually.
The salary mentioned above is the base pay. In addition to the basic pay, you could enjoy numerous job benefits, including bonuses, medical allowances, layover expenses, etc.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is it hard to become an aerospace engineer?
A: The degrees offered in aerospace engineering are difficult, but once completed, they provide the best opportunities for jobs. Being an aerospace engineer requires being highly technical and accurate. Those employed in the aviation industry require skills, including critical thinking and creativity, to ensure a successful career.
Q2. Is aerospace engineering stressful?
A: Besides offering numerous opportunities to engineers, aerospace engineering is a tough job. You can’t always work wherever you want to since the jobs are often available in certain locations. It is even stressful sometimes, especially when you have to work late to finish a project. Report writing or providing technical documents can also be challenging for many engineers.
Q3. Do aerospace engineers get paid well?
A: The salary of an aerospace engineer depends on their experience and qualifications. The average salary of aerospace engineers worldwide, specifically in the United States, is around $85,354 per annum. The salary package can vary according to different countries and job responsibilities. Some additional training and assessments can also increase your salary. Yet, an engineer can enjoy tons of perks during their employment.
Q4. What exactly do aerospace engineers do?
A: Aerospace engineers are the ones who design aircrafts, missiles, spacecraft, and satellites. They also develop and create new technologies that are used in the aviation industry, defence systems, as well as spacecraft. Besides manufacturing aircraft and aerospace products, they inspect malfunctions and identify any problems in the aircraft.
