Avionics Engineers

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for aerospace engineers will grow by 6 percent, faster than the average for all professions, through 2032. Avionics is an important and constantly developing field and reliance on electronics technology has grown rapidly and in virtually every industry. New technological innovations—such as hypersonics, hybrid electric propulsion systems, and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles—are creating new opportunities for technicians. Many defense contractors have begun to branch out into other products, especially in the areas of electronic and computer technology. Commercial applications of the space program, including the launching of privately owned satellites and spacecraft, are also providing new opportunities in the aerospace industry. More engineers will be needed to redesign aircraft that are less noisy and have better fuel efficiency.

Despite these above favorable factors, employment of engineers may be constrained by foreign competition in the aerospace and airline manufacturing industries. Moreover, the economic health of the aerospace and airline industries is tied to government spending and political developments, as well as to the overall economy. Employment opportunities will be best when the economy is strong and government and private sector funding is available.

Engineers who are trained in computational fluid dynamics software and familiar with modeling, simulation, artificial intelligence, and advanced robotics—as well as have graduate degrees in engineering—will have the strongest job opportunities.