Aerospace Engineer

Introduction

As an Aerospace Engineer you will become an expert in the science of flight (aeronautics). You'll use your knowledge to work on very advanced technology such as aircraft, missiles and space satellites. Also known as

Aeroplane Engineer Aircraft Engineer Engineer, Aeronautical Astronautical Engineer Work Activities

Aerospace engineering can be divided into two areas:

Aeronautical Engineering - is the human effort in science, engineering and business to fly in the atmosphere of Earth

Astronautical Engineering - is the human effort in science, engineering and business to fly beyond the atmosphere of Earth - in space!

Aeronautical Engineer

As an Aeronautical Engineer, you will help with the design, development, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft - both military and civil.

You might use your technical knowledge to help improve flight safety and fuel efficiency. You could work on improving the environmental impact of air travel - a very important area of modern aerospace engineering.

As an Aeronautical Engineer, you could be involved in the design of a new aircraft or engine. This involves a lot of technical analysis and computer aided design (3D) work. You might use 3D models to create new wing shapes, landing gear parts, or cockpit instruments.

You will be working in a team made up of other engineers, such as Structural Engineers, Materials Engineers, and Design Engineers.

Astronautical Engineer

As an Astronautical Engineer, you will be responsible for everything that we send beyond the earth's atmosphere. Without the work of Astronautical Engineers, Neil Armstrong would not have been able to become the first person to walk on the moon!

You will use your technical knowledge and practical skills to research, test and develop highly complex engineering solutions that will once day form part of a spacecraft e.g. satellites, space launch vehicles, planetary probes, or parts of the International Space Station (ISS).

You will take on a specialist role within the space industry, such as:

electrical engineering structural engineering software engineering propulsion systems engineering.

To become an Aerospace Engineer, you need:

an analytical, logical approach to solving problems, combined with creativity and imagination to read and interpret engineering diagrams to be flexible and able to compromise organisational skills to plan your own time, to co-ordinate resources and ensure deadlines are met a willingness to take on responsibility and to lead and motivate others excellent IT skills as a lot of engineering work involves using computers to be good at maths to be willing to keep up to date with advances in technology in this fast-changing field

An interest in aviation is generally useful. Foreign language skills may also be useful if, for example, working on international projects. Pay and Opportunities

Pay

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Starting: £28,000 - £40,000 With experience: £40,000 - £47,000 Senior Aerospace Engineers earn £52,500 - £61,000

Hours of work

Most Aerospace Engineers work around 35-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, you may need to start early, finish late or do some weekend work, especially as deadlines approach.

Where could I work?

Employers are aircraft manufacturers, defence companies, component manufacturers, airlines, the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence.

Some Aerospace Engineers apply their knowledge of aerodynamics in other areas, for example, in companies that make vehicles such as cars, trains and hovercraft.

You can also work in the communications industry, dealing with satellites, or in construction, dealing with high, wind-blown structures.

Opportunities for Aerospace Engineers occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK. The Bristol area is a major location for aeronautical engineering.

Opportunities to work in transport equipment manufacture are highest in the North West, South West and East of England.

Self-employment

Opportunities occur for Aerospace Engineers to work independently as freelance consultants.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the websites of professional engineering bodies.

GreenJobs is a job board aimed at people interested in green careers

www.greenjobs.co.uk/browse-jobs/engineering/ Entry Routes and Training

Entry routes

To become an Aerospace Engineer you will usually need to complete a relevant engineering degree, foundation degree or HND.

Course titles include aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering and avionics.

You could also enter with degrees and HNDs in other engineering disciplines, especially mechanical and electronics engineering.

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) can provide details of colleges and universities offering relevant courses.

It's essential to check college/university websites carefully to make sure the course you choose is appropriate to the branch of engineering you want to follow.

A great way to get into this career is through an internship. Take a look at our information article 'Internships', for more details.

An apprenticeship is also a great place to start.

Training

Some graduates join graduate training schemes, which offer structured training and learning.

Depending on their level of entry, engineers can gain Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) professional status. Both are highly regarded by employers throughout industry.

Progression

Depending on their qualification, Aerospace Engineers can progress by taking on more responsibility for the management of engineering projects and teams of Engineers.

Some Aerospace Engineers choose to become self-employed or take contract work on a freelance basis. Qualifications

To enter a degree course in aeronautical engineering, the usual requirement is:

2/3 A levels, usually in maths and physics GCSEs in your A level subjects at grade C/4 or above a further 2/3 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above English, maths and a science subject are usually required at GCSE at grade C/4 or above

Alternatives to A levels include relevant vocationalqualifications and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English and maths.

To get onto a degree apprenticeship, you will usually need at least 2 A levels.

Age limits

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Courses

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Numerous institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, in aerospace/aeronautical related subjects, by part-time study.

Distance learning

Numerous institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate engineering qualifications via distance learning.

Training

Information on pathways to registration as a Chartered (CEng) or Incorporated (IEng) Engineer can be found on the Engineering Council's website.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for higher education study in aeronautical engineering is available from the larger engineering and manufacturing companies.

Funding

Funding for postgraduate study is available through universities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) also runs a scholarship programme. Further Information

Contacts

Semta Skills for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies Address: 14 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0JT Tel: 0845 6439001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.semta.org.uk

The Engineer Engineering technology news Email: [email protected] Website: www.theengineer.co.uk

Tomorrow's Engineers Publisher: EngineeringUK and Royal Academy of Engineering Email: [email protected] Website: www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

British Airways Careers Email: [email protected]

Aer Lingus Careers Irish enquiries Address: Aer Lingus HR Department, Head Office Building, Dublin Airport Email: [email protected] Website: careers.aerlingus.com

Careers in Aerospace Website: www.careersinaerospace.com

New Scientist Publisher: Reed Business Information Ltd Email: [email protected] Website: www.newscientist.com

Inside Careers Specialists in graduate careers Address: Unit 6, The Quad, 49 Atalanta Street, Fulham, London SW6 6TU Tel: 020 7565 7900 Website: www.insidecareers.co.uk

Engineer Jobs Publisher: Venture Marketing Group Email: [email protected] Website: www.engineerjobs.co.uk

Getting into Engineering Courses Author: James Burnett Publisher: Trotman Website: www.mpw.ac.uk/university-guides/getting-into/engineering-courses/

Scottish Engineering Scottish enquiries Address: 105 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1QL Tel: 0141 2213181 Email: [email protected] Website: www.scottishengineering.org.uk

Engineering Council Address: 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX Tel: 020 3206 0500 Website: www.engc.org.uk

Engineering Training Council Northern Ireland (ETC NI) Northern Ireland Enquiries Address: Sketrick House, Ards Business Park, Jubilee Road, Newtownards BT23 4YH Tel: 028 9182 2377 Email: [email protected] Website: www.etcni.org.uk

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Address: Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Tel: 01793 444000 Website: www.epsrc.ac.uk

Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Address: 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ Tel: 020 7670 4300 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aerosociety.com

Aircraft Mechanic