From Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old drawings to Star Wars movies today, humans have always dreamt of flying. Aerospace engineers make those dreams come true- whether testing in-atmosphere aircraft for travelers, or designing spacecraft for astronauts. Aerospace engineers also design satellites and missiles, and test materials for endurance and adaptability. From prototype development to manufacture and beyond, these engineers are involved at all stages of production and maintenance. An engineer's attention to detail and rigorous documentation is crucial for a project's success, and can even save lives. Aerospace engineers must be problem solvers with strong analytical and advanced math skills who can create and clearly communicate designs that meet regulations. They must ensure all the customer's requirements are fulfilled and resolve any problems, all while ensuring safety and minimizing cost. Typically working full time, aerospace engineers, especially project directors, often put in extra hours to coordinate with essential team members and ensure that deadlines are met. Aerospace engineers need a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering for most positions. To advance in their careers, they often earn advanced degrees and a Professional Engineering license. In this vital role, no detail is too small to matter- projects soar and crash on the wings and work of aerospace engineers.
What they do:
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
On the job, you would:
Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
Engineering and Technology
product and service development
design
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
Verbal
read and understand what is written
communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
notice when problems happen
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Initiative
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Wolfram Research Mathematica
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Development environment software
Microsoft Visual Studio
National Instruments LabVIEW
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
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