What Is an Aviation Engineer and How to Become One
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What Does an Aviation Engineer Do?
As an aviation engineer, your responsibilities involve the design, development, testing, and maintenance of aircraft. You may work on flight systems, mechanical elements within the plane, airspace navigation systems, wing or body materials, or other aspects of airplanes or aviation. Your duties include testing the designs or developments that you create and making adjustments or corrections before assembly of the aircraft.
How to Become an Aviation Engineer
The qualifications that you need to become an aviation engineer vary depending on your area of expertise. Entry-level aviation engineers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, aviation engineering, or aeronautical engineering and relevant professional experience. You can also pursue the career with a related degree such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, math, or physics. Some employers may give preference to applicants with a master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field.
What Are Skills of a Successful Aviation Engineer?
An aviation engineer needs strong analytical and technical skills to create working designs that the design team can integrate into the airplane. Because multiple engineers work on the same project, you must be able to work as part of a team, coordinate your efforts with other engineers and departments, and meet deadlines to create a successful finished product on time. Aircraft design can be a long process, so you also need persistence, creativity, and problem-solving skills to make adjustments and troubleshoot when necessary.
