Aerospace Engineer

Active flexible wing model undergoing tests in a wind tunnel.

About the Career

Aerospace engineers may develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and spacecraft. They often specialize in designing different types of 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

On the Job You Will

Direct and coordinate the design, manufacture, and testing of aircraft and aerospace products
Assess proposals for projects to determine if they are technically and financially feasible
Determine if proposed projects will result in safe aircraft and parts
Evaluate designs to see that the products meet engineering principles, customer requirements, and environmental challenges
Develop acceptance criteria for design methods, quality standards, sustainment after delivery, and completion dates
Ensure that projects meet quality standards
Inspect malfunctioning or damaged products to identify sources of problems and possible solutions

Other specialized areas of interest include aerodynamic fluid flow; structural design; guidance, navigation, and control; instrumentation and communication; robotics; or propulsion and combustion.

Aerospace engineers often become experts in one or more related fields: aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanics, flight mechanics, propulsion, acoustics, and guidance and control systems. On comprehensive and long-term projects, an entire team of these kinds of engineers may work together to complete a task

Details

Average Salary: $127,870
Salary Range: $82,630 - $183,500
Education: 4 Year Degree
Outlook: Great (11% - 20% growth)
Total Jobs (2024): 6,150

Education and Training

Aerospace engineers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or some other field of engineering or science related to aerospace systems. Some aerospace engineers work on projects that are related to national defense and thus require security clearances. A master's degree will make aerospace engineers more valuable to prospective employers and expand practical applications of their education.

U.S. citizenship may be required for certain types and levels of clearances.

Programs

Employers

NCTCOG does not endorse or promote programs listed on this website. Content is derived from college/university webpages and is intended to be a collection of available opportunities in the North Texas area. Always conduct due diligence when considering an educational program. Please contact the institution directly for more information.

Discover the world of aerospace engineering, where innovative design meets cutting-edge technology to create the next generation of aircraft and spacecraft.