Aerospace Engineers
Background
Although private companies build the military's aerospace equipment, military engineers are responsible for seeing that all equipment meets service needs. Aerospace engineers design and direct the development of military aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.
What They Do
Aerospace engineers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct stress analysis and wind tunnel tests with aircraft and missile prototypes
- Decide what tests should be conducted of prototypes (full-scale test models)
- Help select private companies to build military aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft
- Monitor production of aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft
- Plan and conduct research on aircraft guidance, propulsion, and weapons systems
- Study new designs for aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A four-year college degree in aeronautical, astronautical, or mechanical engineering is required to enter this career.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in concepts and principles of engineering
- Interest in planning and directing research projects
- Interest in working with mathematical formulas
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Aerospace engineers work in offices or laboratories.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Coast Guard
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this career.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian aerospace engineers usually work in the aircraft manufacturing industry. Some work for the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and other government agencies. As in the military, civilian aerospace engineers may specialize in one type of aerospace product, such as aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles. They may also specialize in engineering specialties such as product design, testing, or production research. Depending on their specialty, they may be called aeronautical engineers, aeronautical test engineers, or stress analysts.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 1,600 aerospace engineers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new engineers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. Newly commissioned aerospace engineers are usually assigned to engineering research and development units or laboratories. They work under the direction of experienced officers conducting research. With experience, they may serve as research and development managers or laboratory managers.