Careers in Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical engineering is a field with unlimited potential for growth. It requires setting up technology that can be used in various industries like aviation, defense for security purposes, and exploring space. It is a very big responsibility for an aeronautical engineer to design and develop a technology which has to be sent in space for exploration. It requires extensive research and a lot of analysis. They specialize in developing spacecrafts, military crafts, missiles, and even airplanes.

Aeronautical Engineers have to be physically fit and should be committed and dedicated towards their work. They should be careful and scrutinize all minute details so the occurrence of faults is less. They are involved in doing extensive research to find newer and innovative ways for getting things done. They can give their expertise to solve complex problems. They try to design new models of air vehicles with their expertise and under the supervision of their superiors.

Aircraft engineers may use software like CAD, better known as Computer-Aided-Design and their expertise to design aircraft with new features. They may focus on designing a single part of the engine or the whole aircraft, depending on the nature of work. They are not only responsible for manufacturing but they take care of modifications for the vehicles they design. They work in quiet laboratories and research spaces where they can put their ideas on paper. They also at times have to visit the production area to see that the work is going as per the scheduled time.



To be an aeronautical engineer a specialization is necessary either in thermodynamics or designing software for aircraft control systems. One can specialize in other fields as well like aerodynamics or propulsion, airframes, hydraulics, engines, fuel, pneumatics, avionics, materials, and structures. They should have interest in technologies related to air vehicles or in designing, engineering, and constructing the planes or missiles. In this aerospace industry many engineers have been employed.

A degree course with minimum of 5 GCSE grades is compulsory. Once the degree is attained and an HNC is completed, the training is given by the recruiter. After this, they can go and register with the Engineering Council, known as ECUK, or Chartered Engineer (CEng.). One has to be a part of an engineering council before taking up the job.

The starting salary is in between $40,000 to $60,000. Experienced engineers get more than $80,000. This depends on the capabilities and the efforts an engineer puts in. Senior engineers may get more than $100,000.