Aerospace Engineers :: Job Description

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Aerospace Engineers

Careers / Aerospace Engineers

Summary Description


	Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Aerodynamicist

2.	Aeronautical Design Engineer

3.	Aeronautical Engineer

4.	Aeronautical Project Engineer

5.	Aeronautical Research Engineer

6.	Aeronautical Test Engineer

7.	Aerospace Engineer

8.	Aerospace Stress Engineer

9.	Aircraft Designer

10.	Aircraft Engineer

11.	Aircraft Instrument Engineer

12.	Aircraft Stress Analyst

13.	Airplane Designer

14.	Airplane Engineer

15.	Astronautical Engineer

16.	Automation Engineer

17.	Aviation Consultant

18.	Aviation Engineer

19.	Avionics Engineer

20.	Design Analyst

21.	Design Engineer

22.	Designer

23.	Dynamicist

24.	Field Service Engineer

25.	Flight Controls Engineer

26.	Flight Dynamicist

27.	Flight Engineer

28.	Flight Test Engineer

29.	Fuel-Efficient Aircraft Designer

30.	Helicopter Engineer

31.	Master Lay Out Specialist

32.	Military Aircraft Designer

33.	Physical Aerodynamicist

34.	Pipe Stress Engineer

35.	Propeller Engineer

36.	Propulsion Engineer

37.	Rocket Scientist

38.	Service Engineer

39.	Space Engineer

40.	Stress Engineer

41.	Structural Analysis Engineer

42.	Structures Engineer

43.	Supersonic Engineer

44.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

45.	Systems Engineer

46.	Test Analyst

47.	Test Engineer

48.	Test Facility Engineer

49.	Thermodynamicist

50.	Thermodynamics Engineer

51.	Transonic Engineer

52.	Value Engineer

53.	Vibration Engineer

54.	Weight Control Engineer

55.	Weight Engineer

56.	Wind Tunnel Engineer

Job Tasks

	Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

	Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment. Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.

	Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations. Design electromechanical equipment or systems.

	Plan or coordinate activities concerned with investigating and resolving customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles. Direct quality control activities.

	Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers. Prepare procedural documents.

	Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products. Direct design or development activities.

	Diagnose performance problems by reviewing performance reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products. Investigate system, equipment, or product failures. Inspect equipment or systems.

	Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards. Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

	Direct aerospace research and development programs. Direct design or development activities.

	Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates. Determine design criteria or specifications.

	Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products. Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.

	Maintain records of performance reports for future reference. Maintain operational records or records systems.

	Research new materials to determine quality or conformance to environmental standards. Research engineering applications of emerging technologies.

	Evaluate and approve selection of vendors by studying past performance or new advertisements.

	Review aerospace engineering designs to determine how to reduce negative environmental impacts. Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.

	Design new or modify existing aerospace systems to reduce polluting emissions, such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, or smoke emissions. Design systems to reduce harmful emissions.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Aerospace Engineers
	Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Aerospace Engineers
	Aerospace engineers are employed in industries whose workers design or build aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense, or spacecraft. Aerospace engineers are employed primarily in manufacturing, analysis and design, research and development, and the federal government.

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Danny DeVito once worked as a janitor.

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