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Aeronautical engineers work with all kinds of aircraft - from gliders to space shuttles. They can design, develop, or help manufacture aircraft - including rockets and spacecraft. Some work labs testing aircraft, while others investigate crashes and systems failures to determine the cause and prevent future accidents. Many engineers specialize in one area, like structural design, navigation systems, or manufacturing techniques. Others choose to specialize in a particular kind of air or space craft.

Meet an engineer
Examples
  • Improve the safety of the space shuttles
     
  • Build a more spacious airliner 
     
  • Create satellites that detect drought around the world 
     
  • Design robots that collect samples on other planets, revealing insights about our galaxy 
     
  • Develop parachutes, using new materials to improve their performance


Salaries

The starting salary for an aerospace engineer (2007):

B.S. degree
$53,408

M.S. degree
$62,459

Ph.D.
$73,814
 





American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
AIAA is the principal society and voice serving the aerospace profession. Its primary purpose is to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics and to foster and promote the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits.

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