Aerospace engineers use scientific principles as well as engineering concepts and practices to design, build, test, and operate aerospace, aviation and aeronautical systems and vehicles. They are involved with the design, development, and production of vehicles for flight both in and beyond the atmosphere. Aerospace engineers apply their knowledge of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, dynamics, control, and performance to a wide variety of challenges.
SAMPLE JOB TITLES
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Aerospace Stress Analysis Engineer
- Aerospace Systems Engineer
- Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer
- Design Engineer
- EBA Systems Engineer
- Electrical Design Engineer
- Field Engineer
- Flight Controls Engineer
- Flight Test Engineer
- Machine Design Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Materials Testing Engineer
- Mechanical Design Engineer
- Missile Simulation Engineer
- Pilot
- Product Engineer
- Propulsion Systems Engineer
- Structures Engineer
- Submarine Officer
- Survivability Engineer
- Systems Engineers
- Test Engineer
- Vehicle Systems and Flight Engineer
Sample job titles based on 2019-20 and 2020-21 Aerospace Engineering graduates responses to the Auburn University First Destinations Survey.
What do employees do in these roles? Log into Handshake to find job descriptions and qualifications for jobs, internships, and co-ops.
AVERAGE STARTING SALARY
$66,780
Salary Range
Minimum | $45,000
Maximum | $85,065
The salary range and average starting salary for 2020-2021 Aerospace Engineering graduates is based on responses to the Auburn University First Destinations Survey.
RECRUITING COMPANIES
TOP HIRING EMPLOYERS
Hiring 2 or more graduates in 2020-2021
- Aerojet Rocketdyne
- American Airlines
- Boeing
- Dallas Texas Consultants
- Delta Air Lines
- US Department of Defense
- EBZ SysTec
- GKN Aerospace
- Gulfstream Aerospace
- HTS
- Jacobs
- KBR
- Kratos Security and Defense
- L3Harris Technologies
- NASA
- nou Systems
- Parsons
- Peraton
- Phoenix Air Unmanned
- Redstone Test Center
- Remora Robotics
- Torch Technologies
This list is a sampling of companies, not reflective of all organizations who recruit AU Aerospace Engineers.
TOP CITIES FOR GRADUATES
With 2 or more 2020-2021 graduates locating to cities
- Huntsville, AL
- Greenville, SC
- Pensacola, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Auburn, AL
NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International
- Society of Women Engineers
- Society of Flight Test Engineers
- Women in Aviation International
STUDENT TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- AIAA Design Build and Fly
- Auburn University Rocket Association (AURA)
- Auburn University Small Satellite Program (AUSSP)
- Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society
STUDENT STORIES
- Adetola Koiki | Lockheed Martin
- Chloe Cochran | Bell
- Dremere Woods | Altria
- Kendal Westerlund | Pratt & Whitney
- Julie Menzel | Gulfstream Aerospace
ALUMNI
- Debi Tomek | Deputy Director | NASA Space Technology and Exploration
- Emily Zieman, '04 | Technical Manager | NASA Habitation Systems Development
- Gerald Smith, ’61 | Executive Director | National Space Science and Technology Center
- Jim Voss, ’72 | Astronaut | U.S. Army Colonel
- Lauren McManus, ’13 | Systems Engineer | Analytical Graphics Inc
- Lorenda Ward, ’90 and ’92 | Senior Accident Investigator | National Transportation Safety Board
- Nelda Lee, ’69 | Manager for Test and Evaluation Personnel | Boeing
- Rich Krtezschmar | President | i3
- Robert Champion, ’86 | Deputy Director & Chief Operations Officer | NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
- Seth Curl, ’08 | Digital Product Management | Sweetgreen
- Thomas K. Mattingly, ’58 | Astronaut and Lt. Commander
- Walt Woltosz, '69 and '77 | Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors | Simulations Plus, Inc
- Wendell Mead, ’63 and ’66 | CEO and Chief Technical Director | Associate Group for Research and Innovation
BUILD YOUR RESUME
HIGHLIGHTS
- Develop key Career Readiness skills
- Join AIAA and/or other professional student organizations related to your interests
- Get to know alumni and professionals in your area of career interest
- Attend the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Career Fairs and Industry Days
- Gain experience through internships, co-op, global programs, volunteer opportunities, and/or part-time jobs
- Gain research experience by working on faculty projects or as a student employee
