Qualifications of an Aeronautical Engineer

Aerospace engineering is a technical field that relates to the design and construction of spacecraft. Jobs in this field fall into one of two categories. Astronautical engineers work on items that leave earth's orbit, such as rockets and spaceships. Aeronautical engineers design aircraft that do not enter outer space, including satellites, planes, and communication devices. While there is some overlap between these fields, they are generally considered separate professions. To start a career in aeronautical engineering, one must obtain the skills and qualifications that help one perform successfully in this field.

Education

At a minimum, aeronautical engineers must obtain a Bachelor of Science degree to find even the most basic entry level work in this field. While some schools offer degrees in aerospace or aeronautical engineering, most offer more general engineering degrees. Candidates will often find that a general engineering degree, coupled with some aerospace coursework, will meet the requirements for most job positions. For military positions, most science and technical degrees are also sufficient. Because entry level jobs in this field are highly competitive, some people may decide to pursue advanced level degrees to help them land a job. A list of accredited aerospace programs can be found in the Resources section of this article.

Scientific and Technical Skills

The most qualified candidates in the aeronautical engineering field have a wide variety of interests in scientific topics. To design air and space vehicles, one must have a general understanding of most engineering principles, including aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials science. In addition, one must possess strong math, physics, and chemistry skills. Finally, qualified candidates should understand avionics, electronics, astronomy, and aircraft design. While a background in one of these areas is helpful, it is even more important to continually stay abreast of new research and development in aeronautics and related fields.

Working as a Team

A qualified aeronautical engineer will be someone that is comfortable working in a team environment. Because of the complexity of aerospace technology, a large number of people are needed in order to complete a project. Each contributes only a small portion of the work, based on his or her specialized skills and background. To succeed in this field, one must be comfortable working closely with others, and trusting their contributions, even when their work is beyond one's own understanding.

Personal Characteristics

The most successful engineers are those who are naturally curious, and have a real desire to understand how things work. In aeronautics, those with a passion for space exploration or flight will find they have the most motivation to carry on once a project gets difficult or tedious. The engineer should also be able to think creatively, but analytically, and be able to focus on both the big picture and the smallest details of a project. Finally, engineers in all disciplines must have effective communication skills, allowing them to succinctly share their findings and ideas.

Security Clearance

The majority of jobs for aeronautical engineers are found in the military, or through NASA. Because of the secret nature of these organizations, all employees are generally required to obtain security clearance, and to work under strict security measures. This means that individuals with criminal histories of any kind may have trouble getting jobs in this field. The high level of secrecy also means that the engineer may never get to see the finished project. He or she may be expected to simply perform their part of the work, then move on to the next project. This can be unsatisfying, as one will never see the results of their work, or even know what type of project they were working on. Those interested in this field should be prepared for this type of scenario, or should pursue one of the few jobs available with private companies.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Princeton Review
• How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer

Resources

• Schools with Aeronautical Engineering Programs