4 answers
williams
Student
Holland, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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What do aerospace engineers actually do day-to-day?
I’m trying to understand the real scope of aerospace engineering beyond the basic “design airplanes and rockets” explanation.
From what I’ve read, it seems like the field covers a lot—things like aerodynamics, propulsion, structural design, simulation, and testing—but I’m not sure what a typical workday actually looks like in practice.
For anyone working in or studying the field: what do aerospace engineer do on a regular basis, and how much of it is hands-on vs computer-based work?
I also came across this overview that explains the different areas pretty clearly:
https://hydrasearch.com/what-do-aerospace-engineers-do/
Would appreciate real-world insights from students or professionals.
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4 answers
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
116
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hi Williams,
I checked out the website you mentioned. It covers various aspects of engineering. Before diving in, let's talk about aerodynamics. This area focuses on how air flows around an aircraft's wings and body. People in this field are sometimes humorously called "aero-dramaticists" because they get excited if airflow is disrupted, affecting lift and drag. They use computer models to predict airflow, but real-world testing is crucial to refine these models. Testing and modeling work hand in hand to improve designs continuously.
If you pursue a career in this field, you'll likely specialize in areas like aerodynamics, structures, powerplant, or avionics, as mentioned in the article you referenced. During my summer internship at a company making gas turbines for military helicopters, I learned a lot about engines. My task was updating engine part drawings to meet new standards, which helped me understand how parts fit together. Today, this work is done using CAD software. Engineers create accurate drawings for manufacturing, test designs to ensure they meet specifications, and work as a team to develop products that satisfy customer needs.
In your daily work, you might test engines or components, plan tests, decide on measurements, and follow industry standards. You'll review your plans with your boss, who may suggest changes. Once tests are done, you'll analyze data and report your findings to the project team. If you're doing analysis, you'll focus on adjusting dimensions or materials to meet performance goals. Keeping your boss updated and participating in team meetings is essential. Working in both testing and analysis can give you a broader understanding of the design process.
While working, remember to have some fun. Find a hobby or sport you enjoy and connect with others who share your interests. You might find colleagues who like the same activities, which is great.
My work and life philosophy is simple: enjoy the challenges of your job, like the people you work with, and be happy with the work environment. The same applies to your hobbies. If these elements are in place, you'll be happy and productive. Good luck finding a job and place that make you happy, Williams.
I checked out the website you mentioned. It covers various aspects of engineering. Before diving in, let's talk about aerodynamics. This area focuses on how air flows around an aircraft's wings and body. People in this field are sometimes humorously called "aero-dramaticists" because they get excited if airflow is disrupted, affecting lift and drag. They use computer models to predict airflow, but real-world testing is crucial to refine these models. Testing and modeling work hand in hand to improve designs continuously.
If you pursue a career in this field, you'll likely specialize in areas like aerodynamics, structures, powerplant, or avionics, as mentioned in the article you referenced. During my summer internship at a company making gas turbines for military helicopters, I learned a lot about engines. My task was updating engine part drawings to meet new standards, which helped me understand how parts fit together. Today, this work is done using CAD software. Engineers create accurate drawings for manufacturing, test designs to ensure they meet specifications, and work as a team to develop products that satisfy customer needs.
In your daily work, you might test engines or components, plan tests, decide on measurements, and follow industry standards. You'll review your plans with your boss, who may suggest changes. Once tests are done, you'll analyze data and report your findings to the project team. If you're doing analysis, you'll focus on adjusting dimensions or materials to meet performance goals. Keeping your boss updated and participating in team meetings is essential. Working in both testing and analysis can give you a broader understanding of the design process.
While working, remember to have some fun. Find a hobby or sport you enjoy and connect with others who share your interests. You might find colleagues who like the same activities, which is great.
My work and life philosophy is simple: enjoy the challenges of your job, like the people you work with, and be happy with the work environment. The same applies to your hobbies. If these elements are in place, you'll be happy and productive. Good luck finding a job and place that make you happy, Williams.
Dennis, thank you!
williams
Joe Nelson
Systems Engineer
2
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hey Williams,
This is a good example of the universal answer in engineering "it depends!" (one of my professors always said that and I hated it at the time). Getting a degree in a field like aerospace engineering will really mean that you have the understanding of how planes, helicopters, drones, etc interact with the air and the unique challenges that entails, which will give jobs in the field the confidence to hire you. What it means for day to day work is something that is more up to you! If you like working with the physical planes, finding a job that focuses on testing or manufacturing may be of more interest. If you like design more you can find jobs in modeling and simulation or requirements. I think in order to find more of what you're looking for it would be good to search for jobs like "test engineer," "systems engineer," "modeling and simulation analyst," or others with major aerospace companies like Airbus, Gulfstream, or others. Find jobs that sound interesting and then map our what the requirements for that job mean for what degree or qualifications you need.
This is a good example of the universal answer in engineering "it depends!" (one of my professors always said that and I hated it at the time). Getting a degree in a field like aerospace engineering will really mean that you have the understanding of how planes, helicopters, drones, etc interact with the air and the unique challenges that entails, which will give jobs in the field the confidence to hire you. What it means for day to day work is something that is more up to you! If you like working with the physical planes, finding a job that focuses on testing or manufacturing may be of more interest. If you like design more you can find jobs in modeling and simulation or requirements. I think in order to find more of what you're looking for it would be good to search for jobs like "test engineer," "systems engineer," "modeling and simulation analyst," or others with major aerospace companies like Airbus, Gulfstream, or others. Find jobs that sound interesting and then map our what the requirements for that job mean for what degree or qualifications you need.
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
330
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Entry-level roles are stepping stones, not final destinations. Optimize your first job for learning, mentorship quality, and skill development rather than salary alone. A high-growth environment in year 1 pays dividends for decades.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
240
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Williams,
Thank you very much for this very interesting query.
I'm a retired mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering covers a lot of the things aerospace engineers study and do - it's often a pathway to aerospace engineering.
Fundamentally, engineering design looks at functionality - fulfilling a given engineering need in a safe, efficient and economical manner. It normally involves using a model - a scaled down version of the final end product (prototype) so engineers can do their work in reasonably small work space. Functional design specifies the tasks the design needs to execute in order to fulfill the desired need.
It's important to understand the environment in which the design is going to operate: vacuum, air, corrosive environment, rough terrain etc. Stress analysis identifies, quantifies and takes care of the different forces that are expected to be at play in the product. Material selection is an integral part of this process - it takes into account mechanical properties of engineering materials when deeming them fit for purpose in the design. For motion, sources of energy for prime movers are specified (electric, fluid, heat) and corresponding systems designed accordingly. Once all the components and systems are designed and specified, drawings are produced. Blue prints are required for production/manufacture of the components. Production processes are specified for the manufacture of components. Specialized components are manufactured in-house. Standard components can be sourced externally. Quality assurance process ensures reliability and quality requirements are fully met. Components & systems are assembled to form the product.
Testing of the model is done to verify functionality as specified in the design. Actual operating conditions are simulated at this stage e.g a tunnel for the tests. Changes to the design may occur based on test results.
Once the model passes all the critical tests, it's scaled to the prototype. The prototype undergoes similar tests as for the model, this time including actual operating conditions. The manufacturer usually gives a guarantee period during which it takes full responsibility for abnormal failures. Maintenance requirements are specified so desired reliability levels can be sustained over the life-cycle of the product.
So in reality, the work involves design, manufacture, operation & maintenance activities. R&D focuses on innovations so the product range remains competitive.
Routines involve planning, scheduling & execution of work, analytics, problem solving, communication, organizing, with members often working in teams.
I do hope this throws sufficient light on your query.
Best of luck in your studies.
Thank you very much for this very interesting query.
I'm a retired mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering covers a lot of the things aerospace engineers study and do - it's often a pathway to aerospace engineering.
Fundamentally, engineering design looks at functionality - fulfilling a given engineering need in a safe, efficient and economical manner. It normally involves using a model - a scaled down version of the final end product (prototype) so engineers can do their work in reasonably small work space. Functional design specifies the tasks the design needs to execute in order to fulfill the desired need.
It's important to understand the environment in which the design is going to operate: vacuum, air, corrosive environment, rough terrain etc. Stress analysis identifies, quantifies and takes care of the different forces that are expected to be at play in the product. Material selection is an integral part of this process - it takes into account mechanical properties of engineering materials when deeming them fit for purpose in the design. For motion, sources of energy for prime movers are specified (electric, fluid, heat) and corresponding systems designed accordingly. Once all the components and systems are designed and specified, drawings are produced. Blue prints are required for production/manufacture of the components. Production processes are specified for the manufacture of components. Specialized components are manufactured in-house. Standard components can be sourced externally. Quality assurance process ensures reliability and quality requirements are fully met. Components & systems are assembled to form the product.
Testing of the model is done to verify functionality as specified in the design. Actual operating conditions are simulated at this stage e.g a tunnel for the tests. Changes to the design may occur based on test results.
Once the model passes all the critical tests, it's scaled to the prototype. The prototype undergoes similar tests as for the model, this time including actual operating conditions. The manufacturer usually gives a guarantee period during which it takes full responsibility for abnormal failures. Maintenance requirements are specified so desired reliability levels can be sustained over the life-cycle of the product.
So in reality, the work involves design, manufacture, operation & maintenance activities. R&D focuses on innovations so the product range remains competitive.
Routines involve planning, scheduling & execution of work, analytics, problem solving, communication, organizing, with members often working in teams.
I do hope this throws sufficient light on your query.
Best of luck in your studies.
Your advice was so helpful!
williams