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The job of an aerospace engineer is very important. In order to perform their many duties they are required to have a multitude of specialized skills. Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They also direct the testing of these products to ensure safety and to meet the expectations of the customer. That is not all, aerospace engineers also have to identify and correct malfunctions in products. Most aerospace engineers specialize in one of two categories:
1) Aeronautical Engineer: These deal with aircraft and how they work inside the Earth’s atmosphere.
2) Astronautical Engineer: These deal with spacecraft and satellites and how they operate inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

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Summary

Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnxcib-8S4s.

Quick Facts: Aerospace Engineers
2023 Median Pay

$130,720 per year
$62.85 per hour

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

Aerospace engineers typically work in an office setting, often using a computer. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field to enter the occupation. Aerospace engineers who work on projects that are related to national defense may need a security clearance.

The median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $130,720 in May 2023.

Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 openings for aerospace engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineers.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineers with similar occupations.

Learn more about aerospace engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

Duties

Aerospace engineers typically do the following:

Coordinate and direct the design, manufacture, and testing of aircraft and aerospace products

Assess project proposals to determine whether they are technically and financially feasible

Determine whether proposed projects will be safe and meet defined goals

Evaluate designs to ensure that products meet engineering principles, customer requirements, and environmental regulations

Develop criteria for design, quality, completion, and sustainment after delivery

Ensure that projects meet required standards

Inspect malfunctioning or damaged products to identify sources of problems and possible solutions

Aerospace engineers develop technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and spacecraft. They may focus on areas such as aerodynamic fluid flow; structural design; guidance, navigation, and control; instrumentation and communication; robotics; or propulsion and combustion.

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.

The following are the two common types of aerospace engineers:

Aeronautical engineers work with aircraft. They are involved primarily in designing aircraft and propulsion systems and in studying the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and construction materials. They work with the theory, technology, and practice of flight within the Earth's atmosphere.

Astronautical engineers work with the science and technology of spacecraft and how they perform inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. This includes work on small satellites such as cubesats, and traditional large satellites.

Aerospace engineers held about 63,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of aerospace engineers were as follows:

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing

34%

Engineering services

16

Federal government, excluding postal service

16

Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences

10

Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing

6

Aerospace engineers typically work in an office setting, often using a computer. They also may travel to meet with clients.

Work Schedules

Most aerospace engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Engineers may need to work extra hours to monitor progress and troubleshoot when problems arise.

Aerospace engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field to enter the occupation. Aerospace engineers who work on projects that are related to national defense may need a security clearance. Some types and levels of clearance require U.S. citizenship.

Education

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.

Bachelor's degree programs in engineering usually include classroom, laboratory, and field courses in subjects such as stability and control, structures, and mechanics.

College students may have an opportunity to participate in cooperative education programs or internships. Through partnership with local businesses, these programs allow students to gain practical experience while they complete their education.

Some colleges and universities offer a 5-year program that leads to both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. A graduate degree may allow an engineer to work as an instructor at a university or to do research and development.

Employers may prefer to hire graduates of aerospace engineering programs accredited by a professional association such as ABET. A degree from an accredited program is usually required to become licensed.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Licensure is not required for entry-level aerospace engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.

State licensure generally requires a bachelor's or higher degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam.

Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state's requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.

Advancement

Aerospace engineers who gain experience or who have additional education or credentials may advance into technical or supervisory positions. Those with leadership skills also may become engineering managers or project management specialists.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Aerospace engineers must be able to evaluate project design elements and propose improvements, if necessary.

Business skills. Meeting federal standards in aerospace engineering requires business knowledge, including commercial law. Project management or systems engineering skills also may be useful.

Communication skills. Aerospace engineers must be able to explain, both orally and in writing, the details of their designs. They may need to convey information to a variety of audiences, including nontechnical ones.

Interpersonal skills. Aerospace engineers often work on teams and must be able to interact with other types of engineers and with nontechnical team members.

Math skills. Aerospace engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other math in their analysis, design, and troubleshooting work.

Problem-solving skills. Aerospace engineers upgrade designs and troubleshoot problems to improve aircraft, such as for increased fuel efficiency or safety.

Median annual wages, May 2023

The median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $130,720 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $81,620, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $188,910.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for aerospace engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences

$136,620

Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing

135,280

Federal government, excluding postal service

133,040

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing

130,720

Engineering services

128,870

Most aerospace engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Engineers may need to work extra hours to monitor progress and to troubleshoot when problems arise.

Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 openings for aerospace engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Aircraft are being redesigned for less noise pollution and better fuel efficiency, which should help drive demand for aerospace engineers.

Technological advancements have reduced the cost of launching satellites. Demand for aerospace engineers is expected to increase as space becomes more accessible, especially with developments in small satellites that have greater commercial viability. In addition, continued interest in drones for certain uses, such as forest fire detection, may help to drive employment growth for these engineers.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2022

Projected Employment, 2032

Change, 2022-32

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Aerospace engineers

17-2011

63,800

67,700

6

3,900
Get data

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit

American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

Technology Student Association (TSA)

For more information about licensure as an aerospace engineer, visit

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

For more information about accredited engineering programs, visit
ABET
For more information about current developments in aeronautics, visit

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

CareerOneStop

For a career video on aerospace engineers, visit
Aerospace Engineers
O*NET
Aerospace Engineers

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Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

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In order to become an aerospace engineer you must obtain at least a bachelor’s  of science degree. However, a higher paying salary is obtained by those who have a master’s or doctorate degree. Once you have earned your bachelor's degree there are multiple certification tests that must be passed to be acknowledged as an engineer. The first test, the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, can be taken immediately after earning your bachelor’s degree. Once you pass this exam you are known as an Engineer in Training (EiT). After gaining experience as an EiT you can take the second test, the Principals and Practice of Engineering. Passing this test will allow an EiT to become a full-fledged Engineer. However, if you want to become a Professional Engineer (PE), you must pass a third test, the Professional Engineering exam.

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Aerospace Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

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The average salary of an aerospace engineer is $113,030 as of May 2017. The actual salary of an aerospace engineer depends upon their experience and skill. An engineers salary could be lower than $70,840 if they are inexperienced, but could also be higher than $162,110. This is quite high in comparison to other jobs, even among other engineers. The average salary of people in  non-engineering jobs is $37,690 which is significantly lower. Even non- aerospace engineers earn over $50,000 more than non-engineering professionals with an average salary of $92,220. This amount is still over $20,000 less than the average salary of an aerospace engineer. In conclusion, aerospace engineers earn a lot of money.

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Aerospace Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

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By obtaining a job at NASA, an aerospace engineer is entitled to many different benefits.

- Financial and Job Security
- Pay Increases For Experience and Longevity
- Choice of Health Benefit Plans
- FEGLI Life Insurance
- NEBA Life and Travel Insurance
- Annual Leave
- Retirement Plan
- Social Security Coverage
- Medicare Coverage

These are just some of the benefits one would receive by becoming an aerospace engineer for NASA.

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Planned a mission to Mars lately? Ever replaced a gyro on an orbiting telescope traveling at 17,600 mph in a full vacuum? As a NASA civil servant, you will participate in or provide critical support to activities just like these. Each day you will be helping to make our Nation's history...and create our future.

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A Day in the Life of an Aerospace Engineer

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A Day in the Life of an Aerospace Engineer

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Imagine I am an aerospace engineer, I will walk you through a typical day in my occupation. On a normal day I wake up at 6:30 in the morning to get ready for work. I put on my black slacks and button up shirt to stay within the business casual dress code held at NASA. After dressing, I make sure to have a hearty breakfast so that I can take on the day. Then I drive to work and arrive before 8:00. On some days I have to come in at 5:00 in the morning to get a head start on a big project being worked on, but I don't have to do that today. Once I arrive I go to my desk and sit at my computer in order to start working. In the past aerospace engineers had to work in NASA's warehouses but with the technology of our age the designing performed is now all electronic. Then I get to work. I have a lot of work that needs to be done today. I need to design a new product for the next satellite launch. I need to make sure the project my team of technicians is working on passes the proper safety inspections, and I have to go to a meeting for all the engineers to discuss our next project. This is all before lunch. Once I get back from lunch, I will be spending most of my time looking at malfunctioning products. I have to determine what is wrong with them, why it went wrong, and how to correct it. Normally I would go home around 5:00, but tonight I have to stay late in order to run a test flight of a newly completed product.

It is fairly common for aerospace engineers to have multiple projects at the same time. This can cause them to have to go in early or stay late in order to finish all of their work. This is some insight into the daily life of an aerospace engineer.

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OwlGuru.com - Find A Career and College That Suits You

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In this day in the life guide, you will find out:

What does a day as Aerospace Engineers looks like

What do they do every day

Things they do on a weekly or monthly basis

How many hours do they work

The purpose of this is to give you a clear picture of this career so you can make a better career decision on whether this career is suitable for you or not.

Top 2 Featured Schools For Aerospace Engineers

[qs_listing areaofinterest="AEROSPACE-ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL-ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL-ENGINEERING, , " maxresults="2″]

Typical Day for Aerospace Engineers

Here is a list of tasks that Aerospace Engineers do every day.

Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.

Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.

Diagnose performance problems by reviewing performance reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.

Design or engineer filtration systems that reduce harmful emissions.

Evaluate biofuel performance specifications to determine feasibility for aerospace applications.

Weekly and Monthly Tasks

Here is a list of tasks that Aerospace Engineers do on a weekly or monthly basis.

Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.

Plan or coordinate activities concerned with investigating and resolving customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.

Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.

Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.

Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.

Working Hours

How many hours do Aerospace Engineers work per week? More than 40 hours per week

What is the work schedule like? Regular (Set schedule and routine)

Work Environment

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Learn more about Aerospace Engineers

Overview | Job Description | Salary | Requirements | Is This Career Right For Me

Related careers to Aerospace Engineers

Mechanical Engineers
Petroleum Engineers
Chemical Engineers
Electrical Engineers

This career is also closely related to Aerodynamicist, Aeronautical Design Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Aeronautical Project Engineer, Aeronautical Research Engineer, Aeronautical Test Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Aerospace Stress Engineer, Aircraft Designer or Aircraft Engineer.

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A Day In The Life of Aerospace Engineers

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In this day in the life guide, you will find out: What does a day as Aerospace Engineers looks like What do they do every day Things they do on a weekly or monthly basis How many hours do they work The purpose of this is to give you a clear picture of this career so you can make a better career decision on whether this career is suitable for you or not.

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Below are some professional organizations available to aerospace engineers.

- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): This is the largest professional organization for aerospace engineers in the world.
- SAE International: This organization helps its members keep up to date on the latest technological breakthroughs in specific fields.
- Sigma Gamma Tau: This is an honor society for students studying in the field of aerospace engineering.

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An Aerospace Engineer is an individual who designs and tests prototypes for aircraft and spacecraft.

What Does an Aerospace Engineer Do?

Aerospace Engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and other airborne objects. Creating prototypes of these designs and testing them is also a primary part of the job. They may also evaluate the designs of other engineers to ensure that the idea meets certain ethical, safety, and environmental standards. It is not unusual for Aerospace Engineers to oversee the building process as well, ensuring that proper deadlines are met. Typically an Aerospace Engineers specializes in either aeronautical or astronautical design, which will determine whether they work with aircraft or spacecraft.

After gaining more experience in the field, overseeing and directing these processes may also be required. Aerospace Engineers often collaborate with engineers or construction specialists during the designing and building process.

Where Does an Aerospace Engineer Work?

Aerospace Engineers spend most of their time in an office setting working with advanced computer equipment and sophisticated programs. At times, an Aerospace Engineer may find themselves working in a manufacturing environment so they can oversee the construction and implementation of a design.

Aerospace Engineers work full-time on regular schedules. However, managing larger projects can require overtime hours, particularly when deadlines are approaching.

What Is the Average Aerospace Engineer Salary?

Aerospace Engineers earn a median salary of $118,610. The lowest 10% make around $72,770, while the highest 10% earned around $171,220. Managerial positions often result in a pay grade.*

Most Aerospace Engineers work for aerospace parts manufacturers, with smaller percentages working for private research facilities and engineering firms.

What Is the Job Demand for Aerospace Engineers?

The job demand for Aerospace Engineers is expected to increase by 8% between 2020 and 2030. Aircraft will be continually required for national defense purposes. In addition, increased interest in environmental safety will demand that plans be restructured to increase fuel efficiency.*

Aerospace Engineering Jobs & Job Description

With appropriate qualifications and experience, aerospace engineers will rise to the challenges that their job places on them. In order to meet the demands of the role, aerospace engineer applicants must be able to fulfill the following and similar tasks depending on their specific branch of work and employer:

Provide highly technical expertise and guidance to non-engineers in solving complex engineering problems

Work with a holistic mindset to develop and troubleshoot all phases of hardware development, integration, implementation, analysis and evaluations

Perform modeling and prediction using statistical tools and computational analyses, and creativity

Develop standards and guidelines for tasks, which use the hardware in question

Research, design, develop, and test structures, propulsion units, and guidance and control subsystems for aircraft, missiles, or spacecraft

Analyze aerospace product or equipment specifications and performance requirements to determine designs, which can be produced by existing manufacturing or processing facilities and methods

Evaluate new technologies for application to aerospace systems

Plan, coordinate, direct, and evaluate testing of aerospace systems

Senior aerospace engineering jobs are more likely to involve managerial elements like:

Aircraft development and manufacturing processes

Risk assessment of aerospace systems

Create risk mitigation plans and strategies

Engineering team communication and performance, timelines, expenditures, and team cohesion

Certification submissions

Create and deliver presentations to work group(s), customers, and external business contacts.

Establish a leadership role in industry-related activities

What Are the Education Requirements to Become an Aerospace Engineer?

Aerospace Engineers require at least a Bachelor's degree to enter into the field, typically in aerospace engineering. Some university programs offer 5-year programs that allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree at the same time. All Aerospace Engineering programs are accredited by the ABET.

Though entry-level positions do not require licensure, more advanced Aerospace Engineering programs will likely demand a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Though the requirements vary by state, most require an accredited engineering degree, work experience, and passing performance on both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineering Exam.

Acquiring a managerial position in Aerospace Engineering often requires extensive work experience and shadowing a senior Aerospace Engineer.

Degrees Related to Aerospace Engineering

What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Aerospace Engineers Have?

Aerospace Engineers can browse through these organizations and websites for valuable resources:

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) - The AIAA is the largest professional society dedicated to Aerospace Engineering in the world. This organization started in the United States, but has since gone global. They are the leading Aerospace publisher in the world and also provide a forum for an exchange of ideas among professionals through events, continued education, and advocacy efforts for industry-related issues.

SAE International SAE is a global organization consisting of over 138,000 engineers and designers working in the transportation industries. A large portion of these members are working in the aerospace industry. SAE provides databases of trade publications, events that keep engineers updated on the latest industry-specific technologies, and a helpful career center for those looking to expand their horizons.

Sigma Gamma Tau: National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society is an honors society created specifically for students in the Aerospace Engineering field. The society admits students who are in great academic standing and are attended an ABET-accredited program. They also extend membership to Aerospace Engineers who have had a significant impact on the field.

*2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for aerospace engineers reflect national data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.

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How to Become an Aerospace Engineer | EnvironmentalScience.org

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An Aerospace Engineer is an individual who designs and tests prototypes for aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and other airborne objects. Creating prototypes of these designs and testing them is also a primary part of the job.

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Aerospaceweb.org | Ask Us - Aerospace Engineering 2

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Ask a question about aircraft design and technology, space travel, aerodynamics, aviation history, astronomy, or other subjects related to aerospace engineering.