Aeronautical Engineer

Aeronautical engineers plan and supervise the design, development, manufacture, modification, and maintenance of all types of flight vehicles.

Job opportunities: Opportunities for aeronautical engineers are good due to a shortage of workers.

Length of training: 3-4 years of training required.

About the job

What you will do:

• study aircraft defects or faults, and recommend repairs or modifications
• design equipment or tools to repair or maintain aircraft
• discuss designs and data with colleagues, aircraft engineering tradespeople, aircraft manufacturers, and airline owners
• make detailed records of drawings, technical instructions, assessments, and calculations
• oversee the design of new aircraft or modifications to existing aircraft
• give technical and regulatory advice to professionals in the aerospace

Skills and knowledge needed:

• knowledge of aircraft structures and engine systems
• a good understanding of aerodynamics (how aircraft fly) and thermodynamics (the effects of heat on aircraft)
• knowledge of design techniques and engineering principles
• an understanding of mechanical processes and the metals and alloys used in aircraft
• knowledge of civil aviation laws and regulations
• the ability to explain complicated ideas in simple language for report writing or to express design plans to aircraft engineers and technicians
• the ability to use computer-aided design (CAD).

How to enter the job

To become an aeronautical engineer you need to have a Bachelor of Engineering.

Secondary education: A tertiary entrance qualification is needed to enter tertiary training maths, physics and chemistry is preferred.

Personal qualities needed:

• confident
• adaptable and creative
• practical and accurate
• analytical, and good at problem solving
• able to work well under

Useful experience:

• any work involving machinery, engines or vehicles
• technical drawing
• inventing mechanical or electronic devices or

Related jobs: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer,

Electronics Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Engineering Machinist.

Vocational pathways: Manufacturing and technology, Services industries.