Aerospace engineers are employed in industries where workers design or build aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense, or spacecraft. Aerospace engineers work primarily for firms that engage in manufacturing, analysis and design, research and development, and for the federal government.
Aerospace engineers now spend more of their time in an office environment than they have in the past, because modern aircraft design requires the use of sophisticated computer equipment and software design tools, modeling, and simulations for tests, evaluation, and training.
Aerospace engineers work with other professionals involved in designing and building aircraft, spacecraft, and their components. Therefore, they must be able to communicate well, divide work into manageable tasks, and work with others toward a common goal.
Aerospace engineers spend most of their time working with computers, blueprints, and cutting-edge technology. They tend to work a regular, 40-hour week but may have to work extra hours to meet deadlines. The knowledge that many people are relying for their survival on the technologies aerospace engineers create can add a certain amount of stress to the job.
Engineers spend a lot of time testing the machines they’ve built. Most tests are done with computer simulations. It is less expensive to perform computer tests than to, for example, find out during a countdown that the rocket you have built does not work. Engineers also test their products for durability and safety. Fieldwork may occasionally be required to test prototypes or models. For example, mock-ups may be tested in wind tunnels to evaluate their aerodynamics.
Aerospace engineers now spend more of their time in an office environment than they have in the past, because modern aircraft design requires the use of sophisticated computer equipment and software design tools, modeling, and simulations for tests, evaluation, and training.
Aerospace engineers work with other professionals involved in designing and building aircraft, spacecraft, and their components. Therefore, they must be able to communicate well, divide work into manageable tasks, and work with others toward a common goal.
Aerospace engineers spend most of their time working with computers, blueprints, and cutting-edge technology. They tend to work a regular, 40-hour week but may have to work extra hours to meet deadlines. The knowledge that many people are relying for their survival on the technologies aerospace engineers create can add a certain amount of stress to the job.
Engineers spend a lot of time testing the machines they’ve built. Most tests are done with computer simulations. It is less expensive to perform computer tests than to, for example, find out during a countdown that the rocket you have built does not work. Engineers also test their products for durability and safety. Fieldwork may occasionally be required to test prototypes or models. For example, mock-ups may be tested in wind tunnels to evaluate their aerodynamics.
Employers
Example Fields to work in:
|
|
|
Interviews
Alan - Mechanical Aerospace Engineer
![Picture](/uploads/9/6/7/9/96795674/aroecal1.jpg?250)
I am a structural mechanical aerospace engineer. I do computer simulation and detailed analysis of aircraft systems and components. I am involved in both the aircraft and space industry, which means my work includes electrical, mechanical, computer, industrial, material, and chemical engineering. I studied materials engineering in university and began working as a materials engineer after graduation, primarily on aerospace projects. I think it is the diversification of aerospace engineering that attracted me to the field. I get to work on many different kinds of projects with many different kinds of engineers.
Sherry - Aerospace Engineer
![Picture](/uploads/9/6/7/9/96795674/aroecsh1.jpg?252)
Aerospace engineers design solutions to aerospace problems. We analyze designs, testing them after they are built. Then we document the results. My specific job is to analyze and test structures for the loads they will experience, for example, while they are launched, to make sure they will not break under the pressure. This is just one of many types of aerospace engineering jobs. After graduating from high school, I spent 5 years working on a business and commerce degree. I worked for a life insurance company but I found that it didn’t satisfy me. I wanted more of a challenge, and an opportunity to do more math.I became interested in engineering and went back to school to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in it. I then worked for a couple of different aerospace companies before starting my own.