How Much Job Training Is Required to Be an Aeronautical Engineer?
Aerospace engineers design and test spacecraft, aircraft and missiles, and aerospace engineers who specialize in aircraft design are called aeronautical engineers. An aeronautical engineer might focus on an area such as aircraft navigation, structural design or production methods. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, aspiring aeronautical engineers should seek out degree programs approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology, or ABET.
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Requirements
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A bachelor's degree is the typical educational requirement for an aerospace engineer. However, some research positions might require a graduate degree. High school students who want to apply to an aerospace engineering program should take four years of math including trigonometry and calculus, science courses including chemistry and physics. and English classes.
Training
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Aerospace engineering programs train graduates for careers as aeronautical engineers. In an aerospace engineering program, such as the bachelor's degree program offered at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, students complete general education courses in English, the humanities and social science along with general and specialty engineering courses. Some programs offer students the option of participating in a co-op or internship program to gain real-world experience before graduation. Bachelor's degree programs in aerospace engineering take four or five years to complete.
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Continuing Education
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, continuing education is necessary for engineers so they can stay abreast of changing technologies. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a professional association for aerospace engineers, offers a variety of continuing education courses in areas such as aircraft design, air transportation systems, applied aerodynamics and flight safety. Some are offered onsite, while others are available via the Internet.
Career Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for aerospace engineers will grow by 10 percent through 2018. Job growth will be spurred largely by the need to develop and implement new technologies for aircraft. The Bureau notes that new aerospace engineering graduates are needed to replace current engineers who are nearing retirement age or moving to other occupations. As of May 2010, aerospace engineers earned a mean annual wage of $99,000, according to the Bureau's Occupational Employment Statistics survey. New graduates received starting salary offers that averaged $56,311.
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References
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