Aerospace Engineering

What You'll Do in an Aerospace Engineering Career

Aerospace engineering produces some of the most extraordinary machines in the world, from airplanes that weigh over half a million pounds to spacecraft that travel over 17,000 miles an hour. 

And aerospace engineers are the people responsible for designing, developing and testing aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles and supervising the manufacturing of these products.

Within aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineers work specifically with aircraft; astronautical engineers work specifically with spacecraft. Depending on their specialization, aerospace engineers may become experts in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, propulsion, acoustics and other scientific aspects integral to their field.

Aerospace Engineering Job Opportunities

Developing new technologies for use in aviation, defense and space exploration,aerospace engineers can find extensive job opportunities with the federal government, specifically with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Transportation, as well as NASA. In the private sector, aerospace engineers work for defense contractors, commercial aircraft companies, and in the arena of scientific research and development, consulting, and management.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), aerospace engineers can anticipate a 10 percent job growth rate between 2008 and 2018. Continued technological advances in the industry, combined with many baby boomers in the field reaching retirement age, are two main contributors to the growth rate.

The Future of Aerospace Engineering

National security, global communication, the economy—aerospace engineering plays a pivotal role in these areas and much more. With such concerns and technological advancements taking a high profile in our daily lives, aerospace engineers face huge challenges and opportunities, and those who choose this profession will gain importance as they work toward the stabilization and well-being of the world.

Aerospace engineers will be critical in the design and manufacture of aircrafts, spacecrafts and missiles. Space research companies, as well as government funded institutions working on different military projects, will need engineers to design missiles that support defense strategies and agendas. Additionally, aerospace engineers will participate in space enterprises as agencies and companies research and plan for travel to outer space and the possible exploration and colonization of other planets and atmospheres.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a professional society and forum for aerospace innovation, technical excellence and global leadership, describes the crucial responsibilities aerospace engineering holds in developing public policies for aeronautics and astronautics. From federal aviation regulations to national security interests, the AIAA frequently testifies before Congress on major events and initiatives, contributing technical expertise and specialized knowledge to policy decisions at the highest levels of government.

Aerospace Engineering Schools & Degree Programs

Aerospace engineers belong to an ever-advancing field and hold high credentials earned through intense study and practice. A number of colleges and universities in the U.S. offer bachelor's, master's and PhD programs in aerospace engineering, or specifically in aeronautical or astronautical engineering. Some colleges deliver aerospace engineering training through their mechanical engineering departments.

Along with extensive course work in specialized aerospace engineering topics, typical aerospace engineering degree programs include course work in general and mechanical engineering, mathematics, physical and life sciences, engineering design and computer technology. Undergraduate students can also anticipate fulfilling general education requirements in social sciences or humanities.

Students interested in online education will find a number of colleges offering master's degrees in aerospace engineering via distance learning course work. Depending on the school, students may complete their degree requirements entirely online or through a combination of online learning and classroom meetings.

Aerospace Engineer Salary

The BLS reports that aerospace engineers earn a median annual salary of $92,520, the fourth highest median salary for all engineering specialties. Overall, annual salaries for aerospace engineers range from $58,130 to $134,570. And the top-paying states for aerospace engineers include: Maryland, California, the District of Columbia, New Mexico and Massachusetts.