Aerospace Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

An aerospace engineer could...

Overview Listen to this section

Humans have always longed to fly and to make other things fly, both through the air and into outer space—aerospace engineers are the people that make those dreams come true. They design, build, and test vehicles like airplanes, helicopters, balloons, rockets, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Aerospace Engineer?

1. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
2. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
3. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
4. Operations Analysis: ? Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
5. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

6. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
7. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
8. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
9. Mathematics: ? Using mathematics to solve problems.
10. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Aerospace Engineer might do:

• Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
• Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
• Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
• Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
• Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
• Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
• Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
• Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.
• Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
• Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.
• Design or engineer filtration systems that reduce harmful emissions.
• Evaluate biofuel performance specifications to determine feasibility for aerospace applications.