Aerospace Engineer
By Michael Sutherland
What does an Aerospace Engineer Do?
Aerospace engineers design, develop, construct, and test the science and technology of aircraft and spacecraft.
Work Conditions
Aerospace Engineer usually work full time. Engineers have to oversee projects and work extra hours to watch progress and ensure that the design is filled out. They also determine aircraft performance, see that production meets design standards and to ensure deadlines are met.
Money Made
Aero-Engineers have a median pay of about $50 per hour which is $103,720 per year. The bottom 10% earn about $65,450 per year. The top 10% earn about $149,120 per year.
Great Characteristics
A aero-engineer needs to be creative and hardworking. You'll also have to be observant while watching over a project and, have leadership skills to make sure the projects done right.
Education
Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or some other field of engineering or science related to aerospace systems. A high school student going into aerospace engineer would take classes in chemistry, physics, and math, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
Advantages
Send people to space, Fresh air, get to express your ideas, good pay, your designs could make the news, be the boss over construction workers.
Disadvantages
High stress, near construction sites, risk of construction going wrong, work extra hours for construction, have to stay alert, lots of deadlines.
Employment Outlook
In 2013 there were about 83,000 aerospace engineers in the U.S. The expected employment change from 2012-2022 in 6,100, which is a 7% decrease.
Related Occupations
architect engineer, Computer hardware engineers, Electronic engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Industrial engineers.
Career Cluster
Aerospace engineers belong to the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics career cluster.