Helping you find a career in the aeronautical engineering industry
Aeronautical engineers and researchers work in a specialised branch of engineering concerned with the design, manufacture and improvement of aeroplanes, satellites and weapons systems. It's an area that's constantly developing and growing with technology, and you could be at the forefront of these changes.
Across the whole sector, aeronautical engineers work with advanced technologies to improve flight safety, fuel efficiency, speed and weight. There is also a growing imperative to reduce the environmental impact of aeroplanes, so there's lots of room for those who are creative thinkers with a passion for technology and innovation. There are a variety of types of employer in the aeronautical sector. Within the public sector, there are positions available within the armed forces (Air Force, Army & Navy) and central government departments (the Ministry of Defence, MoD, or the Defence Engineering & Science Group, DESG). There are also aeronautical engineering positions available at regulatory bodies (e.g. the Civil Aviation Authority, CAA).
There are also numerous private sector opportunities, from major defence contractors (such as BAE Systems), to airline operators and components manufacturers. Within Aeronautical Engineering there are a variety of specialised disciplines: Aerodynamics, Composites Analysis (understanding the properties of potential construction materials), Avionics (developing technical electronics systems for aeroplanes), Propulsion, and Structural Engineering.
Depending on which discipline an aeronautical engineer or researcher specialises within, they may find themselves analysing components in laboratories or test facilities, investigating accidents, supervising manufacturing and assembly processes for components and whole aircraft, and preparing reports for a variety of audiences - both expert and non-expert.