Aerospace Engineering: Career Options, Jobs and Education

Aerospace engineering is all about Flying machines, basically, Aircraft, Aeroplanes, Helicopters, etc. This branch is one of the most exciting branches in Engineering, but, sadly, the very limited scope is available in India. One of the reasons is that it is one of the latest branches added to engineering. It got its presence in the 19th century and the first experiment was done on powered flight.

What Exactly Is Aerospace Engineering?

Scope Of Aerospace Engineering

With evolving technology Aerospace Engineering has come a long way and created different objects with better efficiency and light powered air crafts, jets, gliders, fixed-wing Aeroplane, and helicopters. A variety of jobs and careers are available in this stream. One can go into designing, planning, testing or assembling. Just like automobiles, in aerospace as well, the complete product is divided into parts.

There is a possibility that these parts might be designed and manufactured at different places and are assembled at some other place. Aerospace engineers are mostly involved in designing spacecraft, satellites, aircraft, and missiles. The different parts are engineers, wings, doors, etc.

Career Options In Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is one of the most professional Engineering. Because of high risk, it is always performed in a very professional office environment. Engineers rarely have to visit manufacturing plants, they only do when a problem requires attention which cannot be solved otherwise.

Available Sectors

Testing is a very important part as well because a minor defect can cost a life. Engineers have to perform and record specifications for both non-destructive and destructive testing. They test for characteristics like strength, reliability, functionality, and durability of different parts as well as complete aircraft.

The basic working method of Aerospace Engineering is related to aerodynamics and therefore students need to be aware of theoretical as well as practical knowledge of various concepts like piston engines, turboprops, and jets.

Most of the available jobs in this sector are in public. They consist of designing and manufacturing industries. Also, some qualified and best Engineers are chosen to work with space research organizations such as ISRO, NASA.

Some aerospace engineers also work on projects which are related to national security and defense. In order to clarify these, they have to obtain security clearances.

Major Recruiters

Aerospace engineering jobs are very sensitive in nature and therefore require at least a bachelor's degree in order to be eligible. Apart from this, most of the jobs also require certification claiming the required degree. 

Different agencies are into the business of hiring the optimum candidates. Some of these are Airlines, Government Research, Helicopter Companies, Defence Ministry, Airships, Satellites, Air Force, Corporate Research, Fixed Wing Aircrafts, Missiles, Aviation Companies, Space Shuttles, Space crafts, Astronaut, etc. 

All these jobs come with great responsibilities and therefore one should perform them with complete dedication.

Ways to get into Aerospace Engineering

Because of the delicacy of the job, one needs to have in-depth skills and understanding of PCM subjects along with materials science and aerodynamics. 

These candidates are taught about advanced materials like metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites. This in-depth knowledge allows the candidates to understand the designs even before they are built saving a lot of time and investment. This helps in making better efficient designs.

Two different courses are available in Aerospace Engineering.

1. B.Tech

This is the graduate level or first level. One needs to have a minimum score at 10+2 level and have to apply in exams he wishes to apply to. Clearing the exam will take him into one of the best colleges in Countries.

Entrance Exams

Some of these exams are

1. Delhi University Combined Entrance Examination (CEE)
2. All India Engineering/ Architecture Entrance Examination (AIEEE)
3. SLIET Entrance Test (SET)
4. JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) conducted by the IIT’s
5. The Indian Institute of Aeronautics (IIA) Entrance Exam
6. Hindustan University Entrance Test (HITSEE)
7. IISAT Admission Test (IIST, Thiruvananthapuram)
8. SRM Engineering Entrance Examination (SRM EEE) Admissions
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2. M.Tech

After completing your B.Tech and in order to have in-depth knowledge of the field, one can apply to the post-graduation course which is M.Tech. Different exams are conducted for this level as well.

Entrance Exams

1. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
2. Sathyabama University ME Entrance Exam
3. Punjab Engineering college Ph.D. Entrance exam.
4.