Description
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.
Interests
- Investigative
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Analytical Thinking
- Dependability
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Initiative
Tasks
- 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.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Presentation software
- Development environment software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Object or component oriented development software
Abilities
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
High-Performance Building DesignCertifying Organization
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Value Methodology Associate CertificationCertifying Organization
Society of American Value Engineers
Type
Core
Certificate name
Helicopter Crew Member TraineeCertifying Organization
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
GDTP (Y14.5) Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Professional Certification - 1994 Technologist LevelCertifying Organization
American Society of Mechanical Engineers International
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $90,474 |
| Median (50%) | $119,000 |
| High (90%) | $160,876 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $95,679 |
| Mid Level | $112,029 |
| Senior Level | $124,153 |
| Expert Level | $155,350 |
Employability
There are currently 68,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 73,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 6%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 6%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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