How many hours do aerospace engineers work?

Aerospace engineers that work in manufacturing and testing also might work 10 to 12-hour shifts. However, these aerospace engineers can also experience long periods away from work when putting in longer shifts.

What sector an aerospace engineer works in can also impact their work schedule. Examples include:

• Aerospace engineers in the private sector

Most aerospace engineers working in the private sector work for 40 hours per week, and some have to work overtime due to project demands. This may also cause them to work outside of a traditional 9-to-5 schedule.

When working on tight deadlines or very important projects Aerospace engineers can find themselves working extra early or extra late.

• Aerospace engineers in the public sector

Aerospace engineers who work in the public sector (i.e. government agencies such as NASA), often have more stable and predictable work hours of around 40 hours or just slightly more per week. Emergency situations may require overtime work or hours outside of their normal schedules.

• Traveling Aerospace engineers

Some aerospace engineers have to travel for their job and this can impact their daily work schedules and the number of hours they work. Sometimes aerospace engineers might be required to work long hours or weekends when traveling to work on a project. This is because many aerospace engineering projects have strict deadlines that must be met.

• Freelance aerospace engineers

Freelance aerospace engineers tend to have the most flexible work schedules of any aerospace engineer. These professionals take on different projects from clients and can choose their work schedules to a certain degree. But this also means they might have to work longer hours and more hours in general to meet a particular client's demands.