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Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, aerospace is a good career path. If you love flying or working with airplanes, the aerospace industry is a wonderful choice for a career path. The aerospace industry has seen a large growth in the past few years, and as more people find the desire to travel, opting for flights to get there faster, the industry will only continue to grow.
The aerospace career has a number of different career and growth opportunities for individuals to pursue. Most job openings also have a high annual salary as compared to other industries. The aerospace industry is a place where you can learn, grow, and develop your skills, all while doing something you love.
Here are 10 great jobs in Aerospace:
The 8 Best-Paying Jobs in Aerospace
Individuals working in aerospace will find the highest salaries in engineering and science fields. Aerospace engineers manufacture and design crafts and products, while scientists explore ways to better their development and maintain successful missions. Here are some of the highest-paying jobs in aerospace:
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Average Annual Salary: $94,000
Aerospace stress engineers have one of the most important roles in the engineering of an aircraft. Their main role is to understand and determine the stresses and strains in certain materials and structures when they are subjected to heavy force or loads. This relates mainly to aircraft and rocket structures.
Stress analysis is an important component of the design process for aircraft or rockets. Engineers must ensure the structure is able to withstand a specific high pressure from a specific load. If not, the safety of the craft is compromised, and it will not be cleared to fly.
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Average Annual Salary: $76,000
Spacecraft systems engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, satellites, and other equipment in the aerospace industry. They are responsible for ensuring all subsystems in a craft work together so that it meets its objectives and safety requirements.
Spacecraft systems engineers are involved in the entire lifecycle of a spacecraft, sometimes even deploying the spacecraft itself. These individuals are highly technical and must understand how all subsystems in a spacecraft, including the structural and electrical systems, thermal control, power, and communications, work.
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Average Annual Salary: $88,000
Flight test engineers are individuals who are responsible for the flight testing of a prototype aircraft or aircraft system. They must plan the specific flight test phase and oversee the buildup of the aircraft to the proper configuration. They work closely with the instrumentation engineer to ensure sensors and recording systems are installed.
Depending on the environment and objectives, the flight test engineer may be required to fly on board the test aircraft. Flight test engineers may also be tasked with coming up with techniques for monitoring specific variables or a specific system. This individual is also highly skilled and highly trained in this field.
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Astronomer
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Astronomers are scientists who study the universe and the objects within it. Because our universe is so expansive, many astronomers become specialists who may focus on specific galaxies, stars, planets, star-forming regions, the Sun, the search for life, or the origin and evolution of our universe.
In aerospace, astronomers have important responsibilities to the overall mission of a spacecraft. By using ground-based equipment, these scientists can make observations and collect data to inform teams of the best way to complete a mission. Their work may also be used to develop new devices, processes, and other applications.
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Average Annual Salary: $104,000
Aerospace relies heavily on computer science. Almost all jobs available at NASA require a computer science background. Computer scientist professionals in aerospace can work in programming or computer simulations, which are becoming the new standard for testing designs.
Additionally, computer science skills are highly sought after in the military. Computer scientists are required to help with GPS technology, homing and missile guidance systems, as well as earth-orbiting satellites that broadcast military information, among other exciting career paths.
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Average Annual Salary: $72,000
A thermodynamics engineer is an individual who applies their knowledge of thermodynamics to develop and improve certain products or existing systems. The science of thermodynamics examines the relationship between heat and energy. For this career path in aerospace, responsibilities can vary.
You may be responsible for designing, developing, and testing aircraft or spacecraft and performing thermal analyses to determine when physical changes occur. This is important for the safety of the craft and all who board it. They may also be responsible for creating and analyzing thermal management systems, among other things.
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Average Annual Salary: $84,000
Aircraft design engineers are individuals who create complex designs of aircraft interiors, primary or secondary structures, or mechanical systems that meet safety criteria, ensure quality standards, meet FAA requirements, and adhere to budget and project schedules.
These individuals must draft up designs and meet industry specifications while designing aviation crafts. This is both a creative and technical job, and depending on your client; you may need to have an eye for design. You may work on commercial, military, or cargo aircraft or focus on the interior design of the craft.
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Mission Specialist
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A mission specialist is a position that is held by certain NASA astronauts. They are assigned to a limited field of the mission, such as medical experiments or technical quests, and focus all of their training and knowledge on those objectives. They work closely with the pilot, flight engineer, and mission commander on their journey.
First created in 1978, mission specialists are one of the two categories of astronauts in the U.S. space program. They team up with their crew to form a space shuttle or station crew, and together, they operate the spacecraft to effectively carry out the mission’s flight plan.
7 Entry-Level Jobs in Aerospace
Most aerospace careers require between four to seven years of college study following high school. Starting positions, such as those listed below, require, at the bare minimum, a bachelor’s degree. However, engineer technicians can sometimes be hired with a two-year Associate of Science degree. Here are seven entry-level jobs in aerospace:
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Average Annual Salary: $53,000
Aircraft mechanics are individuals who supervise, manage, and perform maintenance, inspections, and repairs on aircraft. This job is incredibly important for the safety and airworthiness of passenger travel, air cargo, and much more. These mechanics are typically highly-trained and federally certified.
To work as an aircraft mechanic, you must undergo rigorous training and testing to obtain the licenses required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to perform aviation maintenance. Aircraft mechanics must report and keep records of any aircraft logs, keep tools and operations organized, and work closely with their team.
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Average Annual Salary: $60,000
Flight operation specialists are individuals who help with administrative functions necessary to keep aircraft up and running in accordance with any safety or company requirements. They prepare flight schedules and authorizations, administer aircrew training and qualification testing, perform inspections, and maintain flight logs.
Flight operation specialists are tasked with ensuring both the aircraft personnel and aircraft equipment are trained and accessible to accomplish the mission. Individuals working in this field are highly organized, enjoy working with computers, like helping others, and have an interest in aircraft.
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Average Annual Salary: $86,000
Aerodynamicists are individuals who ensure designs for new crafts are feasible and safe. They can accomplish this by conducting research on designs and concepts such as aircraft, spacecraft, or satellites. Aerodynamicists are highly dynamic people with a variety of skills and can be responsible for a number of different things.
Aerodynamics may focus on efficiencies through tweaking the shape and weight of air or space crafts. They may conduct research, develop, test, and implement new designs, and perform basic engineering tasks during production. They may also lead assessments like wind tunnel tests and often work closely with other engineers.
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Average Annual Salary: $44,000
Aircraft technicians are individuals who perform maintenance and repairs on aircraft, most commonly commercial aircraft, fighter jets, and helicopters. Others may work on things such as blimps and hot air balloons. They are primarily responsible for identifying and diagnosing mechanical and electrical issues on an aircraft.
Aircraft technicians must also complete manual testing of aviation communication and diagnostic systems and replace defective or worn-out parts that may pop up during routine maintenance. To enter this career, you’ll need to complete all educational and licensing qualifications as well as on-the-job training.
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Entry-Level Aerospace Engineer
Average Annual Salary: N/A
If you are interested in landing an engineering job, you’ll need to work your way through an entry-level position first. As an entry-level aerospace engineer, you’ll be working with a team of senior staff members to develop and design aircraft or spacecraft, depending on their specialization.
Your duties may include troubleshooting problems, evaluating the financial and practical feasibility of certain missions, as well as supporting engineers to ensure the product or prototype is successful while meeting safety and environmental regulations. Entry-level aerospace engineer jobs are available in both the private and public sectors.
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Teletypist
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Some airlines use a teletype system that uses teleprinters or electro-mechanical typewriters that communicate typed messages from point to point through simple electric communication channels, like a pair of wires. Teletypists work on the ground and operate this machinery to communicate with crafts in the air.
Teletypists can enjoy normal working hours and indoor work either in an airport or airlines operations office where teletype machines are used. You’ll need to be a fast typer as the minimum requirement for teletypists is to type at 40 words per minute. You’ll also need to learn the codes and symbols used in airline communications.
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Ground Radio Operator
Average Annual Salary: N/A
In the United States, air-ground radiotelephone service includes commercial and general aviation services. Ground radio operators utilize this technology from the ground to communicate and provide services to aircraft or spacecraft that are in the air. They ensure the safety of aircraft from surrounding aircraft, if necessary.
General aviation air-ground radiotelephone service operates in the 450 MHz band and provides a variety of telecommunications services to both commercial aircraft and private aircraft like single-engine planes or corporate jets. For this position, you’ll want to make sure you have great communication skills and great attention to detail.
Why Choose a Career in Aerospace?
Aerospace is an ideal career for those who enjoy math and science and are naturally inquisitive. If you enjoy understanding how things work and solving problems and puzzles, this may be the right career field for you. Here are some reasons to choose a career in aerospace:
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Lucrative pay. Given the potential dangers as well as the high skill needed to be successful in aerospace, these careers are often well-paid.
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Rewarding career. Individuals working in the aerospace career field contribute to the daily functioning of the global economy. Travel is important for a number of different reasons, making this an incredibly rewarding career.
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Job security. Travel isn’t going away anytime soon and is likely ramping up in future years to come. For this reason, those working in the aerospace industry will enjoy job security.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Aerospace
Building a career in aerospace can be time-consuming and require years of dedication to the science and craft of the industry. Here are some ways you can get the correct education and certification for a career in aerospace.
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Take advanced high school classes in math and science. To create a great foundation for this career, try to get into high-level math and science classes in high school. This can include trigonometry, physics, computer programming, and chemistry.
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Earn your bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. Most jobs in this career field require, at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree in this field. Be sure your university is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
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Land an internship, apprenticeship, or co-operative program in your desired field. For fields in aerospace, internships, apprenticeships, or co-operative programs can greatly increase your chances of career success.
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Consider a graduate degree in aerospace engineering. Although graduate degrees are not always necessary, they are a great investment to set yourself apart from the competition. Some colleges even offer a combined five-year bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
What Do People Working In Aerospace Do?
Aerospace employees work independently or as part of a team conducting research and designing and developing vehicles and systems for atmospheric and space environments. Mathematics and science are the basis for this career field and are used daily in their work. There are three basic branches of aerospace – engineers, technicians, and scientists.
Engineers are the people who make things work, putting power and materials to work. Technicians work closely with scientists and engineers in support of their research. And scientists are the knowledge seekers who understand why things are happening. They seek questions, find the answers, and expand our knowledge.
- Technology
- Jobs Available In EDP Services
- Jobs Available In Computer Software Prepackaged Software
- Is Telecommunications Equipment A Good Career Path
- Is Aerospace A Good Career Path
- Is Electrical Products A Good Career Path
- Is Biotechnology Laboratory Analytical Instruments A Good Career Path
- Is Broadcasting A Good Career Path
- Jobs Available In Telecommunications Equipment
Author
Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
