Hypersonics Engineers

Demand for hypersonics engineers is expected to be strong during the next decade. Government funding for hypersonics technology has increased in recent years as a result of concerns that China and Russia are developing this technology faster than the United States. Funding for hypersonic research increased by nearly 50 percent from fiscal year (FY) 2015 ($4.7 billion) to FY2025 ($6.9 billion), according to the Government Accountability Office. The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement estimates that $127.3 billion will be spent on hypersonic weaponry worldwide by 2027. "Because of national security needs, there is a strong demand within industry and government agencies for engineers and managers to gain understanding of issues related to hypersonic flows and the methods used to analyze them," according to Purdue University. Engineers with advanced degrees, specialized expertise, and extensive experience in the field will have the best job prospects.