CAREER

Aerospace Engineers

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$118,610

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

+2.8% (slower than the average)

Most Common Level of Education

Bachelor's degree

Career

What Aerospace Engineers 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.

Other Job Titles Aerospace Engineers May Have

Aeronautical Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Aerospace Stress Engineer, Avionics Engineer, Design Engineer, Flight Controls Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Structural Analysis Engineer, Systems Engineer, Test Engineer

How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work

CEO/Co-Founder ,

Vector Space Systems

I lead a team of developers and business experts building the next generation of software based space systems. I am mainly focused on business development and I serve on several local and national corporate boards to advance the cause of space travel.

Mission Lead, Mars Curiosity ,

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

I work with my team to ensure the communications between the spacecraft and scientists on Earth runs smoothly and I oversee all aspects of the mission to ensure everyone has what they need and does a good job. My work is very "in the moment", things can go wrong very quickly and I need to be fully prepared to deal with it.


Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • 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.
  • Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of 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.

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.