Aerospace engineer

What does an aerospace engineer do?

• Design aircraft, spacecraft or components using computer-aided design and simulation tools.
• Analyse aerodynamics, structures, propulsion or flight control with calculations and models.
• Plan and run tests in wind tunnels, laboratories and flight trials.
• Investigate failures and propose design changes to improve safety and performance.
• Prepare technical documents that show designs meet aviation safety rules.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing teams to build parts to strict standards.
• Support aircraft in service by solving technical problems reported by operators.

Where do they work?

Aerospace engineers work for aircraft and engine manufacturers, component suppliers, space agencies and companies, defence firms, airlines, maintenance organisations and research centres. Jobs are concentrated in regions with an aerospace industry, so you may need to move. Most work is office-based, with time in test facilities, hangars or factories. Projects are long and highly regulated. Many defence and space roles require security clearance, which may be open only to citizens of that country.

What skills do you need?

• Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Structures and materials
• Propulsion and thermodynamics
• CAD and simulation software
• Mathematics and programming
• Systems engineering
• Attention to detail and safety awareness
• Teamwork across disciplines

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• use technical drawing software
• troubleshoot
• ensure aircraft compliance with regulation
• perform scientific research
• execute feasibility study
• adjust engineering designs
• assess financial viability
• approve engineering design

Essential knowledge: aerospace engineering · aircraft mechanics · manufacturing processes · technical drawings · engineering processes · production processes · engineering principles · quality standards

How do you become an aerospace engineer?

The usual route is a degree in aerospace, aeronautical or mechanical engineering. Some employers also recruit graduates in physics, mathematics and electrical engineering, especially for avionics, control and space systems roles. A master's degree is common, particularly in Europe and for specialist areas such as propulsion or spacecraft design. Internships, student projects such as rocket, drone or aircraft design competitions, and good results all help in a competitive field. Graduate schemes at large manufacturers are a common first step, and experienced mechanical or electrical engineers can move across from other industries.

1. Aerospace engineering degree. A degree in aerospace or aeronautical engineering covers aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics and control, with design projects and laboratory work. Accredited programmes support later professional registration. Places on these courses can be competitive, and specialist master's programmes are available in areas such as space systems and propulsion.
2. Mechanical or related engineering degree. Many aerospace engineers studied mechanical, electrical or materials engineering and specialised later. This route keeps more career options open if the aerospace industry slows down. A master's in aerospace engineering, or a first job with an aerospace supplier, can help you move into the field.
3. Apprenticeship or technician route. In countries with a large aerospace industry, such as France, Germany, the UK and the United States, manufacturers offer apprenticeships in aerospace engineering or manufacturing. Some lead to a degree while you work. Aircraft maintenance engineers follow a separate route and need a licence from their national aviation authority.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Aerospace engineering

  An aerospace engineering degree teaches how to design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and their systems, using mathematics, physics and computer modelling.

  4 linked careers

• Mechanical engineering

  A mechanical engineering degree teaches how to design, analyse and make machines and systems that move or use energy, from engines and robots to medical devices and power plants.

  5 linked careers

• Physics

  A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models.

  6 linked careers

• Mathematics

  A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing.

  6 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as an aerospace engineer?

Most aerospace engineers do not need a personal licence. Instead, aviation authorities certify aircraft designs and approve the organisations that design, make and maintain aircraft. Examples are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Engineers work within these approved systems. Professional status, such as Chartered Engineer in the UK or a PE licence in the United States, is voluntary for most roles but can help with senior positions. Aircraft maintenance engineers need their own licence.

How much does an aerospace engineer earn?

Pay in the United States

• $134,960Median annual wage, May 2025
• $86,700–$205,890Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 67.7KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 17-2011, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes aerospace engineer and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Graduate aerospace engineer
2. Aerospace engineer
3. Senior engineer or specialist
4. Chief engineer or technical lead
5. Programme or engineering director

Job outlook

Demand depends on air travel, defence spending and the space sector. Airlines replacing older aircraft with more fuel-efficient models, and growth in satellites and drones, create work. Research into lower-emission flight, including electric, hybrid and hydrogen aircraft and sustainable fuels, is growing. The industry is cyclical, as shown when air travel fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jobs are concentrated in a few regions, and defence roles often have nationality restrictions.

Questions about becoming an aerospace engineer

What is the difference between aerospace and aeronautical engineering?

Aeronautical engineering deals with aircraft that fly within the Earth's atmosphere. Astronautical engineering deals with spacecraft and satellites. Aerospace engineering covers both. In practice, universities and employers often use the terms loosely, and the core subjects, such as aerodynamics, structures and propulsion, are very similar.

Can a mechanical engineer work in aerospace?

Yes. Many aerospace engineers have mechanical engineering degrees, and employers often recruit them for structures, thermal, manufacturing and testing roles. You may need to learn aviation standards and specialist software on the job. A master's in aerospace engineering, or a university project related to aircraft or spacecraft, can make your application stronger.

Do aerospace engineers need to be good at maths?

Yes. The degree and the job use a lot of mathematics, especially calculus, differential equations and statistics, to model airflow, structures and flight. Software does much of the calculation, but you need to understand the mathematics to set up models correctly and to check whether the results make sense.

Can international graduates work in aerospace engineering abroad?

It is possible, especially in civil aviation and commercial space work. However, many defence jobs and some space jobs require security clearance or citizenship, which rules out many foreign graduates. Export control rules can also limit who may work on certain technology. Check the rules in your target country, and look at civil aircraft manufacturers, suppliers and research centres.

Related careers

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  Degree required

• Electrical engineer

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 17-2011, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2144.1.1

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become an aerospace engineer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/aerospace-engineer/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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