Aerospace Engineers

design equipment system aerospace investigative technology environmental regulation computer quality standard customer requirement

Aerospace Engineer, Design Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Systems Engineer

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Astronaut; Developmental Engineer, Bomber; Developmental Engineer, General; Developmental Engineer, Systems/Industrial/Human Factors; Experimental Test Combat Systems Officer, Bomber; Experimental Test Combat Systems Officer, Tanker; Experimental Test Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot, Special Operations; Space Operations, Fighter; Space Operations, Space Battle Management; Space Systems Operations
Air Defense Artillery Officer; Army Astronaut; Aviation All-Source Intelligence; Aviation Maintenance Officer; Aviation Officer; Aviation Senior Sergeant; Space Operations
Aeronautical Engineering
Aeronautical Engineer; Space Operations Officer; Space Operations Staff Officer
Aerodynamics Engineering Officer; Aircraft Electronics Director; Aircraft/Guided Missile Engine Project Officer; Aviation Tactical Readiness Officer; Electronic Inspection and Survey Officer; Guided Missile Type Project Officer (Ship-Launched); RL - Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer - Aerospace Engineering; Space Acquisition Officer; Special Project Pilot; URL - Aviation Warfare Officer, Naval Flight Officer
Developmental Engineer; Developmental Engineer, Aeronautical; Developmental Engineer, Astronautical; Developmental Engineer, Flight Test
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.

Knowledge

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

Skills

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

Abilities

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

Personality

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

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology In Demand
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Development environment software

  • C Hot Technology In Demand
  • Microsoft Visual Studio Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about aerospace engineers.