Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace engineers work in various settings depending on their job description. Those involved in research and design usually work in a traditional office setting. They spend considerable time at computers and drawing boards. Engineers involved in testing components and structures often work outside at test sites or laboratories where controlled testing conditions can be created.

Engineers often work on the factory floor in the aerospace industry's manufacturing area, assembling components and ensuring that they conform to design specifications. This job requires walking around large production facilities, such as aircraft factories or spacecraft assembly plants.

Engineers sometimes must travel to other locations to consult with companies that make materials and other needed components. Others travel to remote test sites to observe and participate in flight testing.

The Federal Aviation Administration and commercial airline companies also employ aerospace engineers. These engineers perform various duties, including performance analysis and crash investigations. Companies involved with satellite communications need the expertise of aerospace engineers to better interpret the many aspects of the space environment and the problems involved with getting a satellite launched into space.