Aerospace Engineering Overview

The Field - Preparation - Accreditation Day in the Life - Professional Societies - Earnings

The Field
Aerospace engineers design, test, and supervise the
manufacture of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. Those who
work with aircraft are called aeronautical engineers, and those
working specifically with spacecraft are astronautical
engineers.
Aerospace engineers develop new technologies for use in
aviation, defense systems, and space exploration, often
specializing in areas such as structural design, guidance,
navigation and control, instrumentation and communication, and production methods. They
also may specialize in a particular type of aerospace product, such as commercial aircraft,
military fighter jets, helicopters, spacecraft, or missiles and rockets, and may become experts
in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanics, propulsion, acoustics, or guidance
and control systems.
They often use computer-aided design (CAD) software, robotics, and lasers and advanced
electronic optics. They also may specialize in a particular type of aerospace product, such as
commercial transports, military fighter jets, helicopters, spacecraft, or missiles and rockets.
Aerospace engineers may be experts in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanics,
propulsion, acoustics, or guidance and control systems.
Aerospace engineers typically are employed in the aerospace product and parts industry,
although their skills are becoming increasingly valuable in other fields. For example, in the
motor vehicles manufacturing industry, aerospace engineers design vehicles that have lower
air resistance and, thus, increased fuel efficiency.

Preparation
A bachelors degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs.
Graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for
some engineering jobs, especially in specialties in high demand. Most engineering degrees are
granted in electrical, electronics, mechanical, chemical, civil, or materials engineering.
However, engineers trained in one branch may work in related branches. For example, many
aerospace engineers have training in mechanical engineering. This flexibility allows employers
to meet staffing needs in new technologies and specialties in which engineers may be in short
"Aerospace Engineering Overview"
Prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
More details and additional information is at www.careercornerstone.org.

supply. It also allows engineers to shift to fields with better employment prospects or to those
that more closely match their interests. Most engineering programs involve a concentration of
study in an engineering specialty, along with courses in both mathematics and science. Most
programs include a design course, sometimes accompanied by a computer or laboratory class
or both.

Admission Requirements
Admissions requirements for undergraduate engineering schools include a solid background in
mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus) and science (biology, chemistry,
and physics), and courses in history, humanities, and computer and information technology.
Bachelors degree programs in engineering typically are designed to last 4 years, but many
students find that it takes between 4 and 5 years to complete their studies. In a typical 4-year
university curriculum, the first 2 years are spent studying mathematics, basic sciences,
introductory engineering, humanities, and social sciences. In the last 2 years, most courses
are in engineering, usually with a concentration in one branch. For example, the last 2 years of
an aerospace program might include courses in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, applied
aerodynamics, analytical mechanics, flight vehicle design, trajectory dynamics, and aerospace
propulsion systems.

Co-ops and Work Experience Programs

Internships, coops, or sandwich year work experience
programs provide students with a great opportunity to
gain real-world experience while still in school. In
addition to giving students direct experience in the
field they are considering, interaction with others in the
field can help provide perspective on career path
options.

Graduate Training
Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions and many research and
development programs, but is not required for the majority of entry-level engineering jobs.
Many engineers obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn
new technology and broaden their education. Many high-level executives in government and
industry began their careers as engineers.

Accreditation
Those interested in a career in engineering should consider reviewing engineering programs
that are accredited by the official accrediting agency for their country. More details are at
www.accreditation.org, but in general, accreditation helps ensure that a program offers a
consistently high standard of education in a specific field. The process of accreditation also
serves to foster self-examination by universities; to develop a dialog between constituents of
educational programs on content, methods, and outcomes; and to encourage continuous
improvement of academic programs.

"Aerospace Engineering Overview"

Prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
More details and additional information is at www.careercornerstone.org.

Day in the Life

Beginning engineering graduates usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers
and, in large companies, also may receive formal classroom or seminar-type training. As new
engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned more difficult projects with
greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Engineers
may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a staff or team of engineers and
technicians. Some may eventually become engineering managers or enter sales jobs.

Teams and Coworkers

Almost all jobs in engineering require some sort of interaction with coworkers. Whether they
are working in a team situation, or just asking for advice, most engineers have to have the
ability to communicate and work with other people. Engineers should be creative, inquisitive,
analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team and to
communicate well, both orally and in writing. Communication abilities are important because
engineers often interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.

Tasks
Aerospace engineers develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and
space exploration, often specializing in areas such as structural design, guidance, navigation
and control, instrumentation and communication, or production methods. They often use
computer-aided design (CAD) software, robotics, and lasers and advanced electronic optics.
They also may specialize in a particular type of aerospace product, such as commercial
transports, military fighter jets, helicopters, spacecraft, or missiles and rockets. Aerospace
engineers may be experts in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanics, propulsion,
acoustics, or guidance and control systems.

The Workplace
Aerospace engineers typically are employed in the aerospace product and parts industry,
although their skills are becoming increasingly valuable in other fields. For example, in the
motor vehicles manufacturing industry, aerospace engineers design vehicles that have lower
air resistance and, thus, increased fuel efficiency.

Professional Societies
Professional organizations and associations provide a wide range of resources for planning
and navigating a career in engineering. These groups can play a key role in your development
and keep you abreast of what is happening in your industry. Many offer opportunities for
university students to become members and provide programs and resources to pre-university
students considering a career path.

Earnings
Earnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, location, and education. Even
so, as a group, engineers earn some of the highest average starting salaries among those
holding bachelor's degrees. Many professional societies keep track of earnings in their area of
focus and geographic base.
"Aerospace Engineering Overview"
Prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
More details and additional information is at www.careercornerstone.org.