How to Be Aerospace Engineers - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 28, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Aerospace engineers design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Their work is essential in advancing the aerospace industry and maintaining its high safety standards. To achieve successful results, aerospace engineers must be proficient in mathematics, science and engineering principles.

With a deep understanding of aerodynamics, materials science and propulsion systems, they must also be able to work collaboratively with other professionals such as technicians, mechanics and system engineers. The cause and effect of this is that successful aerospace engineers are able to create innovative designs that meet the needs of the aerospace industry while ensuring that the resulting products are safe and effective.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. A minimum of a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field is required to become an aerospace engineer. Aerospace engineers typically have a degree in aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, or astronautical engineering.
Earn Professional Certification. While not required, professional certification can demonstrate an aerospace engineer's mastery of the field and can make them more attractive to potential employers. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics offers a Certified Aerospace Engineer (CAE) credential.
Gain Work Experience. Aerospace engineers must have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience to be eligible for certification. This experience must be in the field of aerospace engineering and can range from working as an aerospace engineer in industry to teaching or researching at a university.
Pursue Advanced Degrees. Many aerospace engineers pursue advanced degrees, such as a master's or doctoral degree in aerospace engineering. This can help them to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field and increase their job opportunities.
Develop Your Network. Networking is essential for any career, and aerospace engineering is no exception. Joining a professional organization such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics can provide access to conferences and job postings, as well as valuable connections with other professionals in the field.

Aerospace engineering is an ever-evolving field, and as technology advances, it is important for aerospace engineers to stay up to date on the latest developments. Keeping up with new advancements in technology allows aerospace engineers to remain capable in their field and ensure that their work is of the highest quality. To do this, aerospace engineers must continually read the latest journals and papers, attend conferences, and keep up with the newest aerospace technologies.

it is important for aerospace engineers to engage with their peers and collaborate, as this can help them gain insight into the industry and create meaningful relationships with other professionals in the field. By staying informed and networking, aerospace engineers can remain capable in their career and ensure that their work meets the highest standards of excellence.

You may want to check Data Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and Reliability Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and satellites
Develop test plans and evaluate performance of aerospace systems
Conduct research in aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, and materials
Analyze and evaluate flight test data
Evaluate flight safety regulations and procedures
Develop and integrate navigation, guidance, control and communication systems
Develop and integrate software for space and aircraft systems
Design and develop propulsion systems for aircraft
Analyze the aerodynamic performance of aircraft components
Develop and maintain technical documentation for aerospace systems

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and materials science
Ability to solve complex problems using engineering principles
Expertise in design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of aerospace systems
Proficiency in the use of 3D modeling software and CAD systems
Understanding of aircraft and propulsion systems
Understanding of aircraft structures and avionics
Knowledge of UAVs, spacecrafts, and control systems
Knowledge of aerospace regulations and safety standards
Ability to manage resources, budgets, and personnel
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Aerospace engineers are highly sought after professionals due to their expertise in designing, developing and testing aircraft and spacecraft. As such, they need to possess a wide range of skills in order to successfully progress in their field. The most important skill an aerospace engineer should have is problem-solving.

They must be able to identify and resolve problems related to aircraft and spacecraft design, construction and operation. they need to be comfortable with the use of computers and software, as they often use them to design and develop various parts of the aircraft. Other important skills include analytical thinking, knowledge of aerodynamics and materials science, as well as strong communication and teamwork skills.

These skills enable aerospace engineers to create safe and efficient aircraft and spacecraft that meet industry standards.

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, Structural Engineer, and Industrial Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

Tell us about your experience in the aerospace engineering field.
What challenges have you faced in designing and developing aerospace systems?
What have been some of your most successful projects in aerospace engineering?
How do you keep up with the latest developments in aircraft design and technology?
Explain your approach to solving complex engineering problems.
Describe a successful project you worked on with a team.
How do you ensure that your designs meet the highest safety standards?
How would you manage a project with tight deadlines and limited resources?
What techniques do you use to ensure that your designs are cost-effective?
What is your experience with conducting aerodynamic analyses?

Common Tools in Industry

CAD software. Computer-Aided Design software used for creating 3D models and designs for aerospace engineering projects (eg: Solidworks).
FEA software. Finite Element Analysis software used for simulating stresses in aerospace engineering components (eg: ANSYS).
CFD software. Computational Fluid Dynamics software used for simulating fluid flows in aerospace engineering systems (eg: Fluent).
Structural Analysis software. Structural Analysis software used for simulating mechanical loads in aerospace engineering components (eg: Abaqus).
Flight Simulation software. Flight Simulation software used for simulating aircraft flight dynamics (eg: X-Plane).
Navigation software. Navigation software used for aircraft navigation and guidance (eg: GPS).
Autopilot software. Autopilot software used for controlling aircraft in autopilot mode (eg: Avidyne).
Design software. Design software used for creating aerospace engineering drawings and schematics (eg: AutoCAD).
Test automation software. Test automation software used for testing aerospace engineering components (eg: TestStand).
Data analysis software. Data analysis software used for analyzing aerospace engineering data (eg: MATLAB).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS)
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
American Helicopter Society (AHS)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)
International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
European Space Agency (ESA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

We also have Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineers, and Chemical Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Aerodynamics. The study of forces and motion of air and other gases, and the effects of those forces on objects in motion.
Aerospace Engineering. An area of engineering that focuses on the design, development, and construction of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and other related systems.
Propulsion. The use of a force or power source to move an object through a medium, such as air or water.
Structural Analysis. The study of how structures are affected by loads and how they react to these loads.
Flight Mechanics. The study of the forces and motions of an aircraft in flight.
Avionics. Electronics and software components that allow a vehicle to function properly in an aerospace environment.
Aircraft Design. The conceptualization, development, and engineering of aircraft for specific purposes.
Systems Engineering. An approach to problem solving that considers the entire system, from beginning to end, in order to create effective solutions.
Navigation. The science of determining the direction, location, and speed of a vehicle in relation to its desired trajectory.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD). The use of specialized software to assist in the design of aerospace products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of education do Aerospace Engineers need?

Aerospace Engineers typically need at least a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field such as Mechanical Engineering.

What skills do Aerospace Engineers need?

Aerospace Engineers need skills such as mathematics, problem-solving, design, computer-aided design (CAD), critical thinking and communication.

What type of jobs do Aerospace Engineers do?

Aerospace Engineers design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. They also research and analyze data to improve existing technologies and create new ones.