Air Traffic Controller

About the role

Aerospace engineers design and maintain aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles for defense systems, communication technologies, commercial fields, and other applications involving flight. Engineers in this field typically focus on either aeronautics (aircraft) or astronautics (spacecraft). Aerospace engineers rarely work alone and typically collaborate in large groups on major projects such as developing new rockets.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test aviation devices including airplanes, rockets, satellites, missiles, drones, and other equipment systems that explore the upper atmosphere and deep space
• Apply analytical and creative skills to create machines that will fly
• Communicate with diverse professionals and think critically to identify design elements
• Manage engineering projects
• Work in laboratory settings and conduct research

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a bachelor's degree in engineering (for graduate-level study)
• Strong skills in calculus and physics
• Analytical and detail-oriented mindset
• Problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively in team environments
• U.S. citizenship (for government positions with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, or FAA, which typically require security clearances and involve national defense)

Skills

• Mathematics and problem-solving
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Project management

Pay

• Aerospace engineers earn nearly $110,000 per year on average
• Aerospace engineering and operations technicians make almost $70,000 per year on average