Is Aerospace Engineering The Right Career Choice For You?

Aerospace engineers apply their logic skills and creativity to creating and testing spacecrafts, civil and military aircrafts, missiles, satellites, and other weapon systems.

They have to consider numerous factors in their design including flight safety, fuel efficiency, weight, speed, budget, and impact on the environment. Many aerospace engineers specialize in particular fields of the stream including the likes of:

• Avionics,

• Aerodynamics,

• Propulsion,

• Systems Integration,

• Materials, and

• Structure.

This post can help you determine whether this career choice is going to be the right one for you or not.

Responsibilities of Aerospace Engineers

As an aerospace engineer, you will be responsible for a broad range of tasks related to the design, development, and testing of brand new and existing aircrafts.

Although activities do vary a bit depending on the engineer’s area of expertise, some of the most common duties include:

• Applying the principles of science and technology for creating new components and support system for use in aerospace projects.

• Researching, modifying, and developing aircraft design specifications.

• Evaluating aircraft designs to determine whether they are logically feasible or not.

• Using CAD software for creating project plans.

• Establishing quality standards, design procedures, sustainment after delivery, and completion deadlines.

• Overseeing engine and instrument installations, and the assemble of airframes.

• Finding quick and feasible solutions for issues arising as a result of the project design.

• Inspecting completed projects to ensure they adhere to the quality standards.

• Inspecting malfunctioning and damaged projects and identify the reason for their failure.

• Participating in test flight programs to measure factors including maneuverability, stall speed, landing capacities, etc.

• Investigating airplane accidents if required.

Required Qualifications

Education

Aerospace engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree at the very least. Some of the most common degree fields associated with qualified aerospace engineers include:

• Computer science,

• Software engineering,

• Aerospace engineering,

• Applied physics or physics,

• Mechanical engineering.

Studying physics, chemistry, and advanced mathematics in high school can help aspiring engineers prepare themselves for the university.

After 4 years working as a full-fledged aerospace engineer, inspired individuals may decide to obtain a professional engineering license. To get one, one must secure grades in various professional engineering exams. Once given the license, s/he can manage other engineers and sign off on projects.

A master’s degree in aerospace engineering will only give the individual an edge over others applying for the job.

Professional Experience

While education is undeniably important, most of the professionals feel they have learned more through on-job experience than turning the pages of a book.

Internship programs, thus, become an integral component of most aerospace engineering degrees. These programs can help aspiring engineers gain the much-needed experience required before getting into the workforce.

Students not having access to these programs are advised to get in touch with various aerospace companies for vacation work before graduation.

Professional Skills

Aerospace engineers call on a diverse number of skills to excel in their roles. Some of these are:

• Technical knowledge: Aerospace engineers are expected to know about aerospace manufacturing procedures, systems, government standards, and more.

• Analytical skills: These professional skills help them identify flaws in the design and formulate alternative solutions.

• Math: Trigonometry, calculus, and several other mathematics principles help aerospace engineers develop, assess, and troubleshoot aircraft projects.

• Innovation: Innovative skills are crucial to the aerospace industry particularly during the design phase.

• Logic: Issues arising in the aerospace field must be solved through logic than emotion.

• Critical problem-solving skills: When engineers are compelled to reduce fuel consumption, production costs, and improve safety credentials, these skills help them meet the demands well within the deadline.

Other key mentions

• Time management,

• Organization,

• Impeccable written and oral communication skills for compilation of project reports and documentation,

• Leadership,

• Good character.

Final word

Working as a professional aerospace engineer can be rewarding for anyone passionate about national defense, aerospace, and cutting-edge technology.

So, do you still think it is the right choice for you? If your answer’s a “yes,” go ahead with full gusto. Here’s a toast to your success!