Aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineers design, test, build and maintain aeroplanes, spacecraft and satellites.
Typical Salary
£30,000 – £70,000
per year
Working Hours
37–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an aerospace engineer, you could:
- build and test prototypes using computer aided design (CAD) software
- analyse test results to improve aircraft structures and aerodynamics
- research new types of fuel and ways to reduce engine emissions
- manage projects and supervise a team of engineers and technicians
- develop new instruments and software for spacecraft
- plan and supervise maintenance programmes
Skills needed
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of physics
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
Career progression
With experience, you could specialise in a particular field like:
- aerodynamics
- fuel efficiency
- space technology
- air accident investigation
You could also become a project manager, consultant aerospace engineer, or move into technical sales.