Aeronautical engineering degrees represent the branch of engineering

Aeronautical engineering careers

Every topic of aeronautical engineering you will have covered during your degree will likely have its corresponding role within aeronautical engineering careers. Whether you’re interested in designing, testing or consulting, in the commercial, scientific or military sectors, it’s likely that you’ll need to gain at least a master’s degree in order to gain the high level of specialization required to be accepted into lucrative positions in the aeronautical engineering industry. You will need to make sure you keep up with developments in the field throughout your career, and may also benefit from studying a professionally accredited course, either straight after your degree or part-time while working.
Some popular aeronautical engineering careers include:

Aeronautical engineer

As an aeronautical engineer you’ll apply scientific, technological and mathematical principles to research, design, develop, maintain and test the performance of civil and military aircraft, including weapons, satellites and even space vehicles. You may also work on designing (using computer-aided design (CAD) software) manufacturing and modifying the different components that make up these aircraft and systems.

This role involves improving flight safety, fuel efficiency, speed and weight, reducing system costs, using advancing technologies to meet client and customer needs, researching and developing design specifications, addressing the environmental impact of air travel and the materials/systems you will be designing. You’ll need to be able to resolve any issues that arise during the design, development and testing process, including investigating any aircraft accidents and project management.
The term aeronautical engineer is in fact a very broad term covering a wide range of positions. These positions can be categorized by type of role and by particular area of engineering. There is also plenty of scope to venture out beyond the aeronautical industry due to your immense amount of technical knowledge. Some of the positions/specialties available are listed below.

Aeronautical researcher

An aeronautical researcher is in charge of researching new technologies, materials, systems and equipment in the aeronautical engineering field. You’ll be involved in analyzing and testing discoveries, comparing findings with existing knowledge, challenging discrepancies, writing reports outlining conclusions and ensuring you use specific, accurate techniques for each study. You can specialize in a wide range of engineering disciplines, for example researching a new process for increased propulsion, a lighter material for improved aerodynamic design, a more versatile propeller, a more efficient wing layout or solutions to tackle in-flight icing. Research may take months or even years to complete, culminating in your findings published in industry journals.
As a senior aeronautical researcher, you will be in charge of the entire research process including ordering, gathering and verifying supplies, putting together and supervising a team and ensuring adherence to safety, accuracy, timelines and budgets.

Aeronautical designer

An aeronautical designer is usually involved in providing design and detailing expertise for companies who develop aeronautical components, products and systems. You’ll need to ensure technical excellence while maintaining fidelity to any specifications and design requirements put forth by your client. From design, build, experimentation and installation to testing, validation and analysis of the new product, you’ll need to make sure the product complies with the requirements set out by regulatory authorizes on the national and international level.
You’ll need to provide drawings and schemes using specialist software (this will vary depending on the company you work for and what you are designing). You’ll then summarize your findings and communicate these to other members of your team and/or to your client. You’ll need a good understanding of assembly methods, manufacturing methods (machining, injection mold, composite) and cost-effective designing and will need to keep up with the latest material technologies and advances in production processes. Products you could be working on include airframe design, engine design and design of airliner cabin comfort systems.

Aeronautical maintenance technician

As an aeronautical maintenance technician (AMT), you’ll hold a mechanic certificate issued by an accredited organization, such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that confirms you are fully qualified to handle aeronautical maintenance checks. You will be responsible for the complete range of mechanical components and structure of aircraft, including engines, gearboxes, flying controls, landing gear, hydraulics, air conditioning, anti-icing and fuel systems.
This job involves examining, testing, diagnosing, replacing and repairing both mechanical and avionic components of an aircraft as necessary, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. Some AMTs may specialize in one section of a particular type of aircraft such as the airframe, engine, hydraulic or electrical system. You may also be responsible for supervising a larger team of AMTs and aircraft maintenance mechanics.

Aeronautical consultant

An aeronautical consultant, also known as an aviation consultant, uses their years of experience to provide business and technical solutions across a wide range of sectors in the aviation industry. While aeronautical consultancy is itself a niche sector, you may choose to provide consultancy for an even more limited section of clients, or for a wider range of clients from airports and airlines to air traffic managers, manufacturers, maintenance crews, service vendors and even hotels and tourism agencies. You’ll perform analysis of your client’s existing practices, perform asset (aircraft and engine) valuations, perform safety audits, recommend alternatives and/or improvements and help them carry out these improvements in order to maximize profitability, safety and efficiency.
Most aeronautical consultants must be registered with an accredited consultancy firm such as the British Association of Aviation Consultants. Consultancy often requires a good knowledge of market trends and business practices.
Another option is aeronautical testing, which involves executing reliability tests on new and existing products, developing new test procedures, using empirical testing methods and carrying out failure analysis resulting from these tests and aeronautical manufacture which involves the designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining of aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. You can also teach aeronautical engineering to inspire the next generation of aeronautical engineering graduates.
Within aeronautical engineering careers of various types, you can also choose a specific area of aeronautical engineering. You could be a specialist in propulsion, avionics, composite aircraft structures, systems integration, aerodynamics and materials and structures, or a developer of fixed wing, rotary-wing, aircraft engineering, missiles, software and rocket engines. You can also go on to roles in engineering management, perhaps as an executive of a passenger or cargo airline operator.