In the list of the most exciting fields to enter, aerospace engineering may take one of the top 5 spots. And rightly so. To be an aerospace engineer is to seamlessly combine a passion for exploration with a robust foundation in science and mathematics. However, many of us might still be clueless about the aerospace engineer job description.
The median salary for an aerospace engineer was $130,720 in May 2023. That's according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the number has surely gone up in the past two years. For those waiting to enter the sector, this blog gives a detailed outlook on what an aerospace engineer job duties look like.
Who is an Aerospace Engineer?
It was a chilly December day when a contraption by the Wright Brothers soared into the air, becoming the first manned, heavier-than-air, and controlled flight in history. While the flight itself was brief--lasting a mere 12 seconds--its impact on human achievement has been monumental. When one looks at the aerospace engineer job description, it’s hard to imagine such humble beginnings not so long back.
So, what makes for a promising aerospace engineer job description? In simple words, aerospace engineering is an advanced field of engineering that is focused on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining aircraft and spacecraft. The field blends both aeronautical engineering (which pertains solely to aircraft) and astronautical engineering (which focuses on spacecraft).
Aerospace Engineer Job Responsibilities
Aerospace engineer job duties are varied. It is on them to determine whether or not the proposed project is safe for usage. But to break it down further, here's what the aerospace engineer job responsibilities look like:
- Using mathematics, scientific, and engineering principles to design and improve spacecraft, its parts, facilities, materials, safety regulations, and manufacturing processes.
- Aerospace engineers must also research and analyze information to develop designs and solve problems.
- When one looks at the aerospace engineering career description, one sees the ability to manage the design and assembly of control panels, propulsion systems, guiding systems, computer systems, and other necessary parts and systems.
- Another aerospace engineer's job duty is developing safety and quality standards, budgets, and timelines and ensuring projects comply with these regulations.
- Aerospace engineers also have to write proposals and other critical technical documents.
- As with any industry, aerospace engineers need to stay current with what is happening in their sector.
As varied as aerospace engineers' job responsibilities are, so is their time commitment. You may work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but extra hours may be required to complete critical projects within a deadline.
Since you are handling sensitive projects, many employers have started offering flexible working options that allow for work-life balance, family responsibilities, and caring responsibilities.
Aerospace engineer responsibilities might be many, but the output is worth it. As an aerospace engineer, you are working at the forefront of technology, making strides that will have a lasting impact on the world.
Salary of Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineer jobs can be highly rewarding. In India, you can earn over INR 30L per year; in the United States, you can command salaries exceeding $149920 annually.
| Country | Salary |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering Salary in India (Monthly) | Entry-level: ₹3L- ₹6L ($3463 - $6926) Mid-level: ₹6L- ₹12L ($6926 - $13852) Senior-level: ₹10L- ₹30L ($11543 - $34631) |
| Aerospace Engineer Average Salary in the U.S (Annual) | Entry-level: $76000 Mid-level: $100,000 Senior-level: $115,000 |
| Average Aerospace Engineering Salary in the UK (Annual) | Entry-level: £50,000 ($63074) Mid-level: £65,000 ($81996) Senior-level: £80,000 ($100918) |
| Average Aerospace Engineering Salary in Australia (Annual) | Entry-level: AUD 91,000 ($58038) Mid-level: AUD 101,000 ($64416) Senior-level: AUD 140,000 ($89280) |
| Average Aerospace Engineering Salary in Canada (Annual) | Entry-level: CAD 78000 ($54888) Mid-level: CAD 100,000 ($70370) Senior-level: CAD 150,000 ($105555) |
| Average Aerospace Engineering Salary in France (Annual) | Entry-level: €35,000 ($36,542) Mid-level: €55,000 ($57424) Senior-level: €75,000 ($78305) |
Aerospace Engineers Jobs
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Aerospace Engineer: Key Skills
In aerospace engineer jobs, you work with sensitive machinery on a daily basis. The goal? To maximize safety. Additionally, aerospace engineers have to undergo rigorous training to ensure their work meets industry standards. Some skills are critical to establishing a promising career in the sector. Key skills are as follows:
Decision making
In aerospace engineer job responsibilities, it becomes quite crucial to have decision-making skills. This is because they frequently make choices about aircraft design, which materials to employ, or how to go about constructing part of the craft. Many times, engineers may work together on a project, requiring the team to make decisions together. In such scenarios, it's helpful for engineers to make an informed decision that rests on a solid foundation of research and analysis. Informed decision-making can lead to a more secure and effective aircraft design.
Operations analysis
In aerospace engineer job responsibilities, one key aspect is the analysis of the operations of an aircraft. This includes the design, manufacturing, and testing processes. Aerospace engineers should be adept at assessing and identifying areas for improvement. For example, if an aerospace engineer notices that the testing process misses a key element of the aircraft, they might develop new testing operations.
Problem-solving
Problem-solving skills are a powerful ally in aerospace engineer job duties for a number of reasons. For starters, this crucial skill can help engineers find practical solutions and implement their designs in the time allocated. Let's say the blueprint of an aircraft is due in two weeks.
Now, suppose the proposed design has some problems. In that case, it is necessary for an aerospace engineer to quickly come up with a solution that adjusts the original plan and helps the process still be up and running in the time that was previously decided.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is an essential skill in the aerospace engineering career description, but it is a vastly more critical must-have for an aerospace engineer.
Since many of the aircraft that will be designed by an aerospace engineer will exit the Earth's atmosphere, these professionals must plan critically when designing an aircraft. In the long list of aerospace engineer job responsibilities, critical thinking can help engineers quickly notice potential issues before they become urgent. This can help enhance safety for others involved and lead to the effectiveness of the aircraft.
Analytical thinking
Similar to critical thinking, analytical thinking is another vital aerospace engineer job requirement. A penchant for analytical thinking can help engineers evaluate information and find practical solutions. Analytical thinking can contribute to the math and science aspects of this career.
An analytical approach can help engineers deconstruct each element of an aircraft mentally and put it in different segments for a thorough analysis.
By thinking analytically, the engineer might find creative solutions for a specific aspect of the craft.
Creativity
Creativity is often relegated to only the creative fields and seldom included in fields that are built on the foundation of science and mathematics. However, it becomes a necessary skill that can help elevate aerospace engineer job duties. Why? Aircraft require unique designs. That happens when one has a creative bend of mind.
Science and Math Skills
Aerospace engineers use a variety of science and math skills for this career. They learn many mathematical theories in college and apply them regularly during their work. They also use many different scientific principles when designing aircraft. Aerospace engineers may apply calculus, trigonometry, physics, and aerodynamics.
Computer Skills
Unsurprisingly, strong computer skills benefit aerospace engineers. For instance, an engineer will be tasked to furnish industry-specific blueprint designs for new aircraft. With computer skills matching their other areas, they can quickly come up with historical data and other data to chart a solution.
Branches in Aerospace Engineering
The aerospace engineer job description is not limited to only designing and implementing new aircraft designs. Quite a few of the specialist subjects make up aerospace engineering, which together allow for the exploration of the sky and beyond.
- Aerodynamics: This area of aerospace engineering focuses on studying air and how it impacts planes and spacecraft in flight. So, the development and improvement of wings, airfoils, and other exciting aerodynamic surfaces all come under this vertical.
- Propulsion: When engines are developed and come under usage, they require a push for the spacecraft to go through the air and into orbit. This part of aerospace engineering is known as propulsion. It involves advancing combustion techniques, fuel systems, and other related technologies.
- Structures: A structures engineer is tasked with designing and building the physical components of aircraft and spacecraft—for instance, the fuselage, wings, and other structural elements. They ensure that the manufacturing of such elements remains robust, lightweight, and capable of enduring harsh flight conditions.
- Control Systems: This aerospace engineering vertical handles airplane and spacecraft controls. It includes constructing flight software, autopilot systems, and related technologies.
- Spacecraft Design: A core specialist field in aerospace engineering is the design and creation of spacecraft for use in space exploration and research. This also includes the development of technologies for more sustainable spacecraft.
Industry Outlook in Aerospace Engineering
As space exploration and tourism pick up, 2025 looks like a promising year for aerospace engineering. It will also be a year that will see a dynamic shift in the aerospace engineering career description. And if trends are any marker, the aerospace engineer job responsibilities are expected to grow and change in the coming years.
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This progress is fueled by the increasing demand for more advanced aircraft, space exploration missions, and cutting-edge defense technologies. As a result, companies across the globe will be looking for aerospace engineers to join their ranks. Aerospace engineering will be critical in developing next-generation aircraft, satellites, propulsion systems, and innovative aerospace.
Key opportunities include aircraft design and development, spacecraft and satellite engineering, defense and military engineering, and aerospace manufacturing.
Educational Requirement for Aerospace Engineering
Aspiring aerospace engineers must have a solid educational foundation to meet this demand. This can be done in two ways: Bachelor's and Master's degrees in aerospace engineering or obtaining certification and relevant training depending on the specific aerospace field.
It also pays to have experience as an aerospace engineer. It becomes easier to get an aerospace engineer jobs even if you only have a general engineering degree but have a rich internship portfolio in the aerospace vertical. This helps recruiters see that you have specialized knowledge and will be able to take up aerospace engineer job responsibilities.
For senior-level positions, it is standard for companies to require around 5 to 10 years of work experience in the same field. While licensing is not a prerequisite, it can help you get an aerospace engineer job. You can work more independently if you have cleared exams like a professional engineer's (PE) license.
Conclusion
Aerospace Engineering will see a definite growth in 2025 and beyond. There will be immense opportunities in various sectors, including commercial aviation, space exploration, and defense. The opportunities are far and wide, from developing tech-forward aircraft that advance our space exploration missions to creating environmentally sustainable aircraft that make tourism grow exponentially. For aspiring aerospace engineers, the key is to grab it when the time is ripe.
