If you’re ready to advance your engineering career, consider the University of California, Riverside’s online Master of Science in Engineering program with a specialization in mechanical engineering. The program provides a comprehensive education in areas such as sustainable design, fluid systems, and control systems. All work can be completed online, meaning that you can devise a study schedule that complements your busy personal and professional life.
Graduating from UCR’s online Master of Science in Engineering program can open a number of exciting career paths, including in aerospace engineering. Dedicated to the design of aircraft and defense systems, aerospace engineering can provide a challenging yet rewarding professional path. Explore what aerospace engineers do and the steps to enter the field to decide if this career is right for you.
What Is Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace engineering is devoted to the design of primary aircraft, along with satellites, missiles, and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers design, test, and build vehicles that can be flown both inside and beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
The earliest roots of aerospace engineering, sometimes referred to as aeronautical engineering or astronautical engineering, can be traced back centuries to the earliest days of mechanical engineering. The modern-day concept of aerospace engineering emerged in the mid-20th century, with advancements in technology and the space race leading to a reconsideration of the Earth’s atmosphere (aeronautical engineering) and the space above it (astronautical engineering) as a single area for the development of flight vehicles.
To succeed in this field, advanced training in the core principles of engineering along with a background in technology are required. Aerospace engineers work in every industry or government organization tasked with the development of spacecraft or aircraft.
What Do Aerospace Engineers Do?
Aerospace engineers are involved in the development of any vehicle or device that can fly — airplanes, missiles for military defense, space satellites, and spacecraft. Some aerospace engineers specialize further and dedicate their careers to a specific aspect of aerospace engineering such as communications, structures, or robotics, or to the design and construction of certain vehicles, including airplanes, helicopters, or spacecraft. This is a broad field with multiple career options and room for development and professional growth.
Aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering are subfields within aerospace engineering. Aeronautical engineering concerns the design of aircraft, such as commercial planes, helicopters, and aircraft for military use. Astronautical engineering focuses on the design of vehicles and satellites to be used in space.
Following are some of the most common day-to-day responsibilities of professionals working in the field:
- Developing project ideas and presenting proposals for those ideas
- Working on the design of aircraft or aerospace products
- Ensuring that project proposal designs are safe and technically possible
- Conducting testing of new designs
- Ensuring that designs and products meet rigorous mandates
The specific parameters of what an aerospace engineer does can vary considerably, depending on their area of specialization and the organization where they work.
Typical Aerospace Engineer Salary
Given the level of specialized expertise required for the role, aerospace engineers are generally well compensated. The median annual aerospace engineer salary was $122,270 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Several factors can affect how much an aerospace engineer earns, including years of experience and geographic location. Having an advanced education, such as a master’s degree, can also influence salary.
Additionally, the job market for aerospace engineers is expected to grow steadily over the next decade, the BLS reports. Employment of aerospace engineers was projected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031, adding nearly 4,000 new jobs. Advancements in aerospace technology and a drive to improve fuel efficiency and decrease noise pollution will continue to fuel demand for aerospace engineers.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers need a solid educational foundation in academic disciplines such as aerodynamics and physics, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of aircraft design and all the individual elements that come together to form the product.
To enter the field, engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or another branch of engineering related to aerospace systems, according to the BLS. A graduate education, such as a master’s program, will build on the expertise gained in a bachelor’s program. Master’s programs also typically allow students to specialize in a specific area of engineering that aligns with their career interests and further advances their knowledge.
Earning a master’s can allow professionals to move up the career ladder with greater ease, to positions in upper management, academia, or research.
Gaining certification can also help engineers enhance their knowledge and further demonstrates their expertise in the field, and may even be required by some employers.
Where Do Aerospace Engineers Work?
A number of leading organizations across the country hire aerospace engineers. They include, but are by no means limited to, the following:
1. NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration hires a significant number of aerospace engineers. The federal agency, founded in 1958, is dedicated to space exploration and developing the technologies and spacecraft that make that exploration possible. Notable NASA achievements include the 1969 moon landing and its role in developing the International Space Station.
Today, the organization focuses on numerous endeavors, including developing space technology, performing scientific research on space and the universe, devising strategies for human space exploration, working on the International Space Station, and conducting research in aeronautical engineering with a focus on sustainable designs.
Notable current endeavors that NASA is working on include the project Journey to Mars, which aims to send astronauts to the red planet by the 2030s, and the Orion spacecraft, which promises to be the most sophisticated spaceship ever developed, capable of sending astronauts distances that extend beyond the moon.
These projects represent just a small sample of what aerospace engineers do at NASA. Many career opportunities are available at NASA, not only in engineering but across an array of disciplines. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the space agency has multiple branches across the country.
2. Airbus SAS
An international company headquartered in France with operations in the U.S., Airbus SAS is one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, producing aircraft for many leading U.S. airline companies, including Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines. Producing an aircraft is a complicated operation that requires many skilled engineering professionals, particularly at design offices and engineering centers. These facilities are international in scope and can be found in North America, Europe, China, and India. Airbus has two major design and engineering centers — one in Wichita, Kansas, and the other in Mobile, Alabama.
3. SpaceX
A relatively young organization founded in 2002 and independent of NASA, SpaceX is dedicated to developing spacecraft and other space technology. The ultimate objective of the organization is to one day enable people to inhabit other planets. Despite being an independent company, SpaceX works closely with NASA, having secured a contract worth billions to send cargo to astronauts based on the International Space Station.
Headquartered in Hawthorne, California, SpaceX offers an array of career opportunities for aerospace engineers.
Other major employers
Other notable companies that hire aerospace engineers include:
- Boeing
- FlightSafety International
- Lockheed Martin
- Raytheon
- General Dynamics
Lift Off Your Engineering Career
Aerospace engineering offers a remarkable opportunity to combine your engineering skills with a zeal for problem-solving, innovation, and adventure. Take the first step toward a rewarding career in aerospace engineering by applying to the University of California, Riverside’s online Master of Science in Engineering program.
Explore the program and learn more about its mechanical engineering specialization, which can launch a long-lasting career in aerospace engineering.
Sources:
Britannica, Aerospace Engineering
Live Science, “What Is Aerospace Engineering?”
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Aerospace Engineers