Aerospace engineer
Also called Aeronautical engineer.
Aerospace engineers design, test, build and maintain aeroplanes, spacecraft and satellites.
- Potential salary
- £30,000 starter to £70,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 40. Working pattern: evenings / weekends occasionally.
- Career area
- Engineering
- Where they might work
- You could work in a factory, in an office, on an aircraft or in an aircraft hangar. You may need to wear protective clothing.
- A typical task
- build and test prototypes using computer aided design (CAD) software
- Subjects that may help
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
- Typical route
- You could do a degree or postgraduate course in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a subject like: electrical or electronic engineering; mechanical engineering; manufacturing or product engineering; physics or applied physics; astronautics and space engineering; software engineering or mathematics.
- Interest area used here
- Making, fixing and working outdoors
What you might do
- build and test prototypes using computer aided design (CAD) software
- analyse test results to improve aircraft structures and aerodynamics
- research new types of fuel and ways to reduce engine emissions
- manage projects and supervise a team of engineers and technicians
- develop new instruments and software for spacecraft
- plan and supervise maintenance programmes
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of physics
- analytical thinking skills
More skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- You could do a degree or postgraduate course in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a subject like: electrical or electronic engineering; mechanical engineering; manufacturing or product engineering; physics or applied physics; astronautics and space engineering; software engineering or mathematics.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Aerospace engineering
Direct qualifying route. The closest degree. Mechanical engineering is a common alternative.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could do A levels, a higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND) in engineering before applying for a trainee technician job with an aerospace company.
- Subjects include: maths, physics and design and technology; mechanical engineering; aeronautical engineering; electrical engineering.
- You would then take further training to become a fully qualified engineer.
- You could apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship to begin your career in the aerospace industry. Apprenticeships include: Aerospace Engineer; Space Systems Engineer; Aerospace Software Engineer; Electro-Mechanical Engineer; Materials Science Technologist.
- You'll combine workplace learning with study for a degree at university.
- You might be able to join a company as an aerospace engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.
- You can apply for aerospace engineering jobs if you've got relevant qualifications and experience. For example, you might have worked in mechanical, electrical or electronics engineering.
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Career progression
- With experience, you could specialise in a particular field like: aerodynamics; fuel efficiency; satellite and space technology; air accident investigation.
- You could also become a project manager, consultant aerospace engineer, or move into technical sales.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship