Aerospace

Aerospace engineering involves designing, building, and maintaining aircraft and spacecraft, encompassing the science and technology of flight both within and beyond Earth's atmosphere.

It requires a comprehensive understanding of aerodynamics, materials science, propulsion, and other relevant areas to ensure the safety, stability, and effectiveness of these products.

Aerospace engineers work on a range of projects, from developing new designs and technologies to testing and optimizing existing systems.

Their work is vital to the aviation and space industries, playing a critical role in advancing human exploration and transportation capabilities.

While aeronautics deals with flight through the air and astronautics deals with operations of vehicles in space, the word aerospace can be viewed as a broader or more overarching term which considers operations in both air and space.

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Industry Roles

Aerospace is a broad and ever expanding area of technological importance. Roles in this within this industry are very diverse covering a variety of specialisations, including but not limited to:

Research Engineer

Conducts research and development to improve aircraft and spacecraft technology and systems. Candidates for these roles have a background in engineering, mathematics, physics, and computer science, as well as an understanding of aviation regulations and safety standards. Projects can be from spacecraft and rockets to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Develops and designs aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and other types of aerospace technology, using CAD software to create 2D and 3D models of their designs, which they then analyze and refine for function, efficiency, and safety. They also must stay up-to-date on the latest technology and industry standards to ensure that their designs remain competitive and compliant.

Design Engineer

Systems Engineer

Oversees the design, development, testing and integration of different systems within an aircraft or spacecraft, such as propulsion systems, avionics, navigation, guidance, and control systems. They work closely with other engineering teams to ensure that all components of the system function together seamlessly and meet safety and quality standards.

Aerodynamics Engineer

Design and analyze the aerodynamic properties of vehicles, such as airplanes and rockets. This involves studying the motion of air and the forces it exerts, using this knowledge to optimize the vehicle’s shape and performance. Their work must ensure that the vehicle meets performance goals while also satisfying safety and regulatory requirements.

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Materials Engineer

design and test high-performance materials used in the production of aircraft and spacecraft. This includes researching new materials, optimizing material properties, and ensuring all materials meet rigorous safety and regulatory requirements. In this role a deep knowledge of materials science and engineering principles are critical to success.

Structural Engineer

Design and analyze the structural components of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Using CAD software and sim tools to model and test their designs, they ensure that these components are able to withstand the rigorous operating conditions they will encounter. Knowledge of industry standards and regulations is key within these roles.

Manufacturing Engineer

Design and improve the production of aircraft and spacecraft components. They work on creating efficient production processes, selecting materials and equipment, improving product quality. An understanding of aerospace engineering principles, technical skills, attention to detail and the ability to communicate complicated ideas with precise clarity is a must.

Production Engineer

Oversee the manufacturing process of aircraft and related components, ensuring that products are produced efficiently and to exact specifications. Duties can include developing production schedules and process documentation, optimizing production processes, and data analysis to identify areas for improvement.

Propulsion Engineer

design, develop, and test propulsion systems for various aircraft and spacecraft. Working on engines and propulsion systems, such as liquid and solid rocket motors, jet and turboprop engines, and electrical propulsion systems. Their duties include analyzing technical data, designing and modifying propulsion systems, conducting tests, and evaluating performance

Avionics Engineer

Design, develop, and maintain aircraft communication, navigation and safety systems, critical for safe and efficient operation of aircraft. This involves continual research, testing, and implementation of technologies to improve performance, reliability and safety. They must also ensure seamless integration with other systems to offer maximum functionality.

Flight Test Engineer

design, plan and execute flight tests on aircraft and spacecraft. They work closely with design teams to ensure that aircraft and spacecraft are safe and effective, and they use their knowledge of aviation and aerospace technology to improve the performance of existing models. Responsible for analysing data and communicating clearly within the team.

Test Engineer

Design, conduct and evaluate tests to ensure that aerospace systems and components meet safety, performance, and reliability requirements. Working on aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, or related systems. They use various testing methods to simulate real-world conditions that aerospace systems are subjected to during operation.