Aerospace Engineers

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Also called: Aeronautical Engineer, Aerospace Stress Engineer, Avionics Engineer, Design Engineer, Flight Controls Engineer, Flight Systems Test Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Special Mission Engineer, Structural Analysis Engineer, Structural Test Engineer, Aerodynamicist, Aerodynamics Engineer, Aeronautical Design Engineer, Aeronautical Project Engineer, Aeronautical Research Engineer, Aeronautical Test Engineer, Aerospace Design Engineer, Aerospace Physiologist, Aerospace Programmable Logic Design Engineer, Aerospace Quality Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Aircraft Design Engineer, Aircraft Designer, Aircraft Engineer, Aircraft Instrument Engineer, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), Aircraft Stress Analyst, Aircraft Systems Engineer, Airplane Designer, Airplane Engineer, Astronautical Engineer, Aviation Consultant, Aviation Engineer, Avionics Systems Engineer, Civil Aviation Engineer, Dynamicist, Flight Analyst, Flight Dynamicist, Flight Engineer, Fuel Efficient Aircraft Designer, GNC Engineer (Guidance Navigation and Controls Engineer), Helicopter Engineer, Loads and Dynamics Engineer, Military Aircraft Designer, Physical Aerodynamicist, Propeller Engineer, Propulsion Engineer, Research Aerospace Engineer, Rocket Scientist, Space Engineer, Spacecraft Engineer, Stress Analyst, Stress Engineer, Structures Engineer, Supersonic Engineer, Thermodynamicist, Thermodynamics Engineer, Transonic Engineer, Vibration Engineer, Weight Control Engineer, Weight Engineer, Wind Tunnel Engineer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
Diagnose performance problems by reviewing reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or by inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.
Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.
Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning
Operations Analysis
Monitoring

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (79.99% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

106,110–169,690 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2011.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (79.99% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Aerospace Engineers