Aerospace Engineers Job Description: Education and Training Requirements, How to Get the Job, Salary Information and Job Outlook
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: The job of aerospace engineers include various engineering tasks involved in the design, construction and testing of missiles, aircraft and spacecraft. An aerospace engineer would also conduct applied research in evaluating adaptability of materials, aircraft design and manufacture. Aerospace engineers often specialize in one type of vehicle, such as helicopters, rockets or passenger planes. Some of these engineers may also oversee productions of earthbound vehicles such as diving vessels or high-speed trains.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: Entry-level aerospace engineers need at least a 4- or 5-year bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably with majors in astronautical, aerospace or aeronautical engineering. Most of these engineers pursue advanced degrees throughout their careers, either to shift to another specialty or learn the latest developments in their chosen field. Aerospace engineers need to pass state examination or security clearance before obtaining a job.
Skills & Abilities: Aerospace engineers mush possess knowledge of design techniques, principles and tools involved in production of blueprints and models, practical application of engineering technology, raw materials and production costs, quality control, processes and techniques, as well as knowledge in physics, laws and their interrelationships. An aerospace engineer must also be skilled in various electronic equipments and computer applications as well as designing, using, repairing and maintaining machines and tools.
An aerospace engineer should also possess skills such as critical thinking, sound judgment and decision making, time management, superb communication skills including writing, speaking and comprehension, mathematical, deductive and inductive reasoning, as well as problem sensitivity and information ordering. He/she should also be able to motivate, train and direct personnel.
Duties:
The tasks assigned to aerospace engineers vary, depending on his/her specialty and the industry where he or she works in. In general, an aerospace engineer is responsible for formulating design of aerospace or aeronautical products, overseeing the design, fabrication, modification and testing of aerospace or aircraft products, formulating mathematical models and computer analysis based on customer engineering requirements, planning and conducting stress tests on prototypes and models of aerospace/aircraft systems, and writing technical reports and documentation, among others.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Aerospace engineers could serve various positions in an organization, including managers, administrators, sales engineers, college teachers or other related careers. Some obtain hands-on training with government agencies or military, while others start their own engineering firms. It is expected to see occupation growth from 2004 to 2014, but it may not be as in-demand as other careers. The employment outlook for aerospace engineers from 2014 onwards is good because new jobs will arise due to retirement or career shifting of past engineers.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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Word Count: 453 Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 Time: 1:01 PM
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