Aerospace engineer

Aerospace is a broad multidisciplinary industry encompassing a range of engineering disciplines. As an aerospace engineer, you'll be involved in the research, design, development, testing and maintenance of vehicles and systems that operate in the air and in space.

This includes work on:

• civil and military aircraft
• missiles and other defence-related systems
• satellites and space vehicles.

You may also specialise in the individual components and integrated systems that make up aircraft and spacecraft, such as structures, propulsion, avionics and control systems.

The role focuses on improving safety, performance, fuel efficiency, speed and weight, while reducing costs and meeting customer and regulatory requirements. Increasingly, aerospace engineers are also addressing the environmental impact of aviation and space activity through the development of more sustainable technologies.

What can aerospace engineers specialise in?

You may work in a particular area such as:

• aerodynamics
• avionics
• materials and structures
• propulsion
• systems integration
• space systems and spacecraft engineering.

Under the umbrella term of aerospace engineering, job titles can really vary. You could find opportunities with many different titles including:

• aerospace design engineer
• flight test engineer
• mechanical engineer
• propulsion engineer
• systems engineer
• test engineer.

These are just some examples as many other job titles exist. The best way to find out about opportunities is by conducting regular live job searches on general job boards using key words such as 'aerospace engineer' or relevant specialisms such as 'flight test' or 'propulsion'.

What do aerospace engineers do?

In your aerospace engineering role, you're likely to:

• apply the principles of science and technology to design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, components and related systems
• research and develop design specifications and use computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation software
• support the assembly, integration and installation of aerospace systems and components
• contribute to ground and flight-test programmes to assess performance, safety and reliability
• resolve issues that arise during the design, development and testing processes
• analyse in-service performance and support maintenance, repair and upgrade activities
• measure and improve the performance of aircraft, components and systems
• modify designs to improve safety, efficiency and environmental performance
• contribute to investigations into incidents, failures or accidents, where relevant
• collate information, interpret data and produce technical documentation and reports
• communicate technical and regulatory advice to clients, teams, suppliers and other professionals within the aerospace industry.

Aerospace engineering salaries

• Starting salaries for aerospace engineers range from £25,000 to £35,000.
• With experience this can rise to between £30,000 and £60,000, depending on your level of expertise and employer.
• At a senior level, particularly if you gain chartered status and take on leadership or specialist roles, you can earn between £50,000 to £80,000+

You may be offered a starting salary at the higher end of the band if you have a Masters, placement experience or other relevant industrial experience. Larger employers and specialist sectors (e.g. space systems) typically offer higher salaries.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does an aerospace engineer work?

You'll usually work standard office hours, such as 9am to 5pm, although extra hours may be required at busy times or to meet project deadlines. Many employers now offer flexible or hybrid working arrangements to support work/life balance and caring responsibilities.

In some roles, particularly those linked to in-service support, testing or defence projects, you may occasionally need to provide technical advice outside normal hours, although on-call work is not typical for most aerospace engineers.

As the aerospace sector evolves rapidly, it's important to keep skills and knowledge up to date. While this can make time away from the profession more challenging, many employers support returners through training and refresher programmes. Self-employment is uncommon early in a career, but experienced and chartered engineers may work on a consultancy or contract basis.

How do I become an aerospace engineer?

Many aerospace companies offer graduate training schemes in engineering which require entry at Level 6. This can be achieved by completing a university degree or a degree apprenticeship.

Degrees and degree apprenticeships are available in aeronautical or aerospace engineering, but employers may accept other relevant subjects such as mathematics or physics. Check job adverts for specific requirements but an engineering, numerical or physical science degree or degree apprenticeship is usually required.

You can also enter the industry at a lower level through either the apprenticeship route or through completing a college course in engineering at Levels 3 to 5. With entry at this level however, you would require further study to become a qualified engineer although this is often supported by employers through part-time study or progression routes.

It isn't essential for you to have a pre-entry postgraduate qualification but a Masters in aeronautical or aerospace engineering can be useful if your first degree is in a different subject or if you want to progress towards chartered status.

The Royal Aeronautical Society's (RAeS) Careers in Aerospace resource offers a guide to entry routes and roles in the industry.

It's useful if your first degree or Masters is accredited by a relevant professional body, such as the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), as this can help you meet the educational requirements for professional registration as an incorporated or chartered engineer later in your career. You can find a list of accredited courses via the Engineering Council - Accredited Course Search or the Royal Aeronautical Society's Academic Accreditation listings.

Alternatively, search for postgraduate courses in aerospace engineering.

Key skills for aerospace engineering

The skills you'll need for working as an aerospace engineer, include:

• strong technical knowledge of aerospace systems, materials and manufacturing processes
• analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex engineering challenges
• creativity and innovation when developing, testing and improving designs
• attention to detail and a methodical approach to ensure safety, quality and compliance
• communication and teamworking skills to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams
• the ability to manage time, adapt to change and meet project deadlines.

Language skills may be useful due to joint ventures with international companies and the possibility of travel to overseas sites. For roles in defence and some space-related areas, security clearance may be required, depending on the employer and the nature of the work.

In certain technical roles, employers may specify normal colour vision as a requirement.

Do aerospace engineers need work experience?

It's advisable to gain relevant pre-entry experience. Many aerospace engineering degrees include a year-in-industry or industrial placement, often taken during an undergraduate course, and employers frequently use these opportunities to identify potential graduate recruits.

You can also gain experience through vacation work, internships or summer placements, which typically last between 8 and 12 weeks. Opportunities are advertised by aerospace employers through their careers websites, graduate recruitment platforms and university careers services.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs aerospace engineers?

The main aerospace employers in the UK are:

• aircraft and aircraft component manufacturing companies
• airline operators
• the armed forces, including the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF)
• government departments and research organisations such as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
• the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
• the further and higher education sectors
• regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

It's possible to undertake contract or sub-contract work, which can give you the opportunity to gain experience across different organisations and, in some cases, work internationally.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Aviation Jobsearch
• Engineering & Technology Jobs
• FlightJobs
• Royal Aeronautical Society Jobs
• Spacecrew

You can also explore the careers sections of aerospace company websites to find out about current vacancies, placements, internships and graduate schemes. Examples include:

• Airbus
• BAE Systems
• Collins Aerospace
• Lockheed Martin
• Standard Aero

These are some of the larger, well-known aerospace organisations, but there are also many smaller and emerging companies that can offer equally exciting opportunities. You can often find these employers at university careers fairs and sector-specific events.

Recruitment agencies specialising in the engineering and aerospace sectors, such as Morson Jobs and Jonathan Lee may be able to help you find suitable roles.

Societies such as Women's Engineering Society (WES) and WISE support female applicants with applying for jobs and finding out about what they involve.

What are the career prospects for aerospace engineers?

Graduate training schemes are common with large aerospace companies and may include placements with partner organisations to broaden your experience. Smaller employers typically offer structured on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced engineers.

Many employers support progression towards incorporated (IEng) or chartered (CEng) engineer status, awarded by the Engineering Council, which can enhance career prospects and earning potential. This requires membership of a professional body such as RAeS or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and evidence of professional competence, often gained through a mix of work-based learning, short courses and, in some cases, postgraduate study.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in this fast-moving sector. Employers usually provide short, targeted training courses, while professional bodies such as RAeS offer conferences, specialist groups and training opportunities. Larger organisations may also invest in broader skills development, including project management, leadership and IT.

Career progression opportunities are wide-ranging. You could move into senior or management roles, specialise in areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion or avionics, or transition into related fields such as sales, training or academia.