Aerospace Engineers

17-2011.00

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Direct aerospace research and development programs.
• Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
• Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
• Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
• Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
• Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
• Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
• Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
• Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.
• Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
• Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.
• Diagnose performance problems by reviewing reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or by inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.
• Research new materials to determine quality or conformance to environmental standards.
• Evaluate and approve selection of vendors by studying past performance or new advertisements.
• Review aerospace engineering designs to determine how to reduce negative environmental impacts.
• Design new or modify existing aerospace systems to reduce polluting emissions, such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, or smoke emissions.
• Design or engineer filtration systems that reduce harmful emissions.
• Evaluate biofuel performance specifications to determine feasibility for aerospace applications.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Alstom ESARAD; Alstom ESATAN; Altera Quartus II; Analytical Graphics STK Expert Edition; ANSYS simulation software; Collier Research HyperSizer; Computational fluid dynamics CFD software; Computer-aided engineering CAE software; Cullimore & Ring Technologies SINDA/FLUINT; Cullimore & Ring Technologies Thermal Desktop; Dassault Systemes Abaqus; Data acquisition systems; ESI Group AutoSEA2; Fatigue analysis software; Finite element analysis FEA software; Finite element method FEM software; Flexible dynamics modeling software; Grid generation software; Harvard Thermal TAS; K&K Associates Thermal Analysis Kit TAK; Maplesoft Maple; MathWorks Simulink; MAYA Nastran; MSC Software Fatigue; MSC Software Nastran; MSC Software Patran; Network Analysis SINDA-G; Phoenix Integration ModelCenter; Southwest Research Institute NASGRO; Stress analysis software; TEAM Engineering FEMAP; Tecplot Focus; The MathWorks MATLAB ; Thermal analysis software; Thermal Radiation Analysis System TRASYS; Thermal Synthesizer System TSS; Universal Technical Systems TK Solver; Wolfram Research Mathematica
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks ; Mathsoft Mathcad; PTC Creo Parametric; Thermal design software; UGS Solid Edge; Xilinx TMRTool
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - 1CadCam Unigraphics; Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
• Configuration management software - IBM Rational ClearCase
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; Structure query language SQL
• Development environment software - Ada; C ; Digital Equipment Corporation DIGITAL Fortran 90; Formula translation/translator FORTRAN; IBM Rational ClearQuest; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; Microsoft Visual Studio 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW; Verilog
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Image processing systems
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; C++ ; Oracle Java 🔥; Perl 🔥; Python ; Sun Microsystems Java
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Hewlett-Packard HP OpenVMS; Linux ; Microsoft Windows 🔥; Shell script 🔥; UNIX 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; PTC Pro/INTRALINK
• Requirements analysis and system architecture software - IBM Rational DOORS; IBM Rational RequisitePro
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Direct design or development activities.
• Create models of engineering designs or methods.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
• Direct quality control activities.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Determine design criteria or specifications.
• Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.
• Maintain operational records or records systems.
• Investigate system, equipment, or product failures.
• Inspect equipment or systems.
• Research engineering applications of emerging technologies.
• Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.
• Design systems to reduce harmful emissions.
• Research design or application of green technologies.