ADD ADVICE TO FAVAeronautical engineer
An aeronautical engineer designs airframes and wings for aircraft, structures for missiles, satellites and ideal shapes for ships’ hulls, cars and similar products.
What aeronautical engineers do
- use computer-aided design and wind tunnel trials to optimise shapes
- develop systems for aircraft, including electronic (avionic, control and navigational), mechanical and hydraulic systems
- design and implement flight trials, analyse results, and make the required alterations to the design
- supervise the assembly and maintenance of airframes and testing of components
- often lead teams of engineers from other disciplines and co-ordinate projects.
Key skills
- strong mathematical ability for structural design and aerodynamics
- good design skills
- attention to detail and a strong awareness of safety issues
- clear understanding of the interrelationship between aeronautical engineering and other engineering disciplines
- potential to co-ordinate and manage multidisciplinary teams of engineers
- ability to communicate engineering ideas verbally, in writing and diagrammatically
- project management abilities
- ability to solve problems.
Training to be an aeronautical engineer
Often starting in design, aeronautical engineers train by gaining experience in different departments, including development, testing, wind tunnel work, trials and assembly.
Salaries
Starting salaries are typically in the range of £20,000 to £24,000.
