Buckling up the seatbelt on a flight to a work conference or a holiday destination, or back home, passengers hardly think of the intricate combinations of bolts, wires, and diverse materials and components that make up the aircraft. As an Aeronautical Engineer, you design cost and fuel-efficient aircraft... Continue Reading
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What are the typical responsibilities of an Aeronautical Engineer?
An Aeronautical Engineer would typically need to:
Aeronautical Engineers typically work in an office environment with access to sophisticated computer design technology. Modern design processes require digital mapping and software design tools to create models and run simulations for tests, evaluations, and training. Design work may also take place in aeronautical laboratories with more computer visualisation tools. When putting together the physical pieces of a project, you are likely to work in a factory production hangar.
Travel is required when visiting aircraft workshops and hangars. You may also need to be away from home on day trips or overnight stays to visit other companies to carry out examinations. Overseas travel is occasionally necessary to attend conferences and courses or meetings with other professionals.
Aeronautical Engineers typically work standard weekday hours. However, overtime may be required to meet strict project deadlines. Employees in charge of projects often have to work extra hours to manage and coordinate the design, testing, and production schedules. In addition, you may provide on-call consultations to mitigate malfunctions, changes in schedules or emergency investigations.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Aeronautical Engineers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Aeronautical Engineers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI), are crucial for an Aeronautical Engineer interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Work experience in aeronautical engineering is essential to build technical skills and improve your qualifications when searching for employment. Completing summer internships and industrial placements while earning your degree gives you a competitive edge in the job market. You may seek out work experience opportunities in aerospace companies through your university’s placement services.
Apprenticeships offer a helpful experience, which, in turn, may lead you to a degree in aeronautical engineering that your employer may sponsor. As an apprentice, you will often work as an engineering technician, fitter, machinist, or modeller.
In high school, you may gain exposure to the field and prepare for university by attending aerospace and engineering camps. Reading about the profession and interviewing experts working in aeronautical engineering also prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
Aeronautical Engineers require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, especially to find entry into graduate training schemes. However, you may be able to acquire a technician’s role or an apprenticeship at a lower manufacturing level with an associate degree. Bachelor’s degree programs typically include classroom and practical activities, covering essential topics including engineering principles, propulsion, stability and control, structures, mechanics, and aerodynamics.
Employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering or related fields such as transportation, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, software engineering, applied physics, computer science, or materials science. A master’s degree or doctorate in a relevant subject would enable you to work in academia at the university level and conduct research & development projects.
High school courses in chemistry, physics, math, and computer programming are helpful to gain admission into relevant bachelor’s degree programs.
Certification demonstrates an Aeronautical Engineer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. However, licensure and certification are not mandatory when entering the field.
When progressing towards higher levels of responsibility, you may need licensure, depending on your place of employment. In addition, working with government agencies will often require a security clearance.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
Aeronautical Engineers often enter the field in junior positions such as junior engineers or lower-level jobs as technicians and assistants. You may work towards more technical roles, acquiring positions such as Technical Specialist or Chief Engineer. You would be tasked with greater responsibility and take charge of more complex aeronautical engineering projects.
After gaining adequate experience and knowledge, you may choose to pursue a route that takes you into managerial roles, such as Project Engineer, Managing Engineer, or Senior Engineer. While leading teams of Aeronautical Engineers and overseeing specific departments, you would coordinate the necessary steps to help meet the deadlines of several projects.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in aeronautical engineering or a related field will provide the best job prospects. Gaining work experience through internships, apprenticeships, or industry placements will give you an advantage in the job market. Employers may also favour candidates with experience in computer design and software programming.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Aeronautical Engineer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.
Some colleges and universities collaborate with relevant businesses to provide aspiring Aeronautical Engineers with opportunities for practical experience alongside their education.
Large aerospace companies may offer graduate training schemes, which are an effective method of professional development. Alongside technical training, larger companies may offer courses to specialise in information technology, leadership & change management, and project management.
Smaller employers provide on-the-job training under the supervision of more experienced and higher-ranked employees. Most companies also encourage interaction with relevant engineering institutions.
After gathering sufficient academic qualifications and work experience, you may choose to move into a more specialised field of aeronautical engineering, for example, marketing and sales, propulsion & avionics, materials, design, or computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
You may also pursue further qualifications designed for an Aeronautical Engineer, such as diplomas or certification from accredited institutes or master’s degree programs in aeronautical engineering. While not mandatory, higher academic qualifications are helpful if you do not hold a degree in a related subject. They may help your career progression, and your organisation may support them.
Aerospace Engineers, Aeronautical Engineers & Astronautical Engineers
The broad career category of aerospace engineers includes professionals who design machines and craft that fly in air or space, that is both within and beyond the earth’s atmosphere. In other words, aerospace engineering spans across aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
Aeronautical Engineers are typically responsible for studying the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and machines that fly or operate within the earth’s atmosphere, such as aeroplanes, helicopters and missiles. They analyse and improve upon the materials, propulsion system, and overall design of both civil and military aircraft to optimise fuel usage and flight safety while minimising the environmental impact.
Astronautical engineers focus specifically on spacecraft that travel and function outside the earth’s atmosphere, that is, in space. Their projects pertain to areas such as thermodynamics, celestial mechanics and guidance systems. Spacecraft that an astronautical engineer may design include planetary probes, remote sensing satellites and space launchers.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Aeronautical Engineers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
A full-time Aeronautical Engineer, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
In combining skills and theories from across fields such as physics, math, and biology, Aeronautical Engineers not only work as problem solvers when technical issues arise but also as the creatives behind the scenes. You are responsible for digitally creating complex aircraft and spacecraft designs and leading their transition into physical machines that can safely and efficiently make their journeys for transporting people and cargo, defence or space exploration.
Communication and teamwork are critical to your work as an Aeronautical Engineer. Keep an open mind when designing, building and improving aircraft, related technologies and components. Be willing to ask questions and seek out new perspectives while working with different professionals. Ensure that you are current with the latest tools, processes, and research in aeronautical engineering to show your commitment to the field and create the best products.
Certain aeroplanes today consist of almost six million parts that fall into the categories of fuselage, wings, stabiliser, engine, and landing gear.
What do Aeronautical Engineers do?
An Aeronautical Engineer would typically need to:
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