AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
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
Missile Systems Engineer
Minimum Education: B.A.E.
Entry Level Salary Range: $54K - $79K
Average Entry Level Salary: $74K
Aerodynamics Engineer
Minimum Education: B.A.E.
Entry Level Salary Range: $51K - $79K
Average Entry Level Salary: $72K
Project Engineer
Minimum Education: B.A.E.
Entry Level Salary Range: $54K – 96K
Average Entry Level Salary: $68K
Salary ranges and averages refer to entry level roles in the United States provided by Glassdoor.com and PayScale.com.
What do employees do in these roles? Search job descriptions and qualifications in Handshake in the “Job Search” section!
PRO TIP: Click on the filters button. Rather than searching a specific job title, consider keeping your search broad by making filter selections in the "Employer Industry" or “Job Function” categories.
For example - Employer Industries: Aerospace, Automotive, Computer Networking, Defense, Electronic and Computer Hardware, Government - Local, State, Federal, Manufacturing, Technical Consulting, Transportation
For example - Job Functions: Military and Protective Services, Operations / Production, Product / Project Management, Quality Assurance, Engineering: Civil / Mechanical / Other, Consulting, Research
RECRUITING COMPANIES
- Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Boeing
- Delta Air Lines
- Dynetics, Inc
- Federal Aviation Administration
- GE Aviation
- GKN Aerospace
- Gulfstream Aerospace
- Honeywell
- Lockheed Martin
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Northrop Grumman
- Raytheon
- Redstone Arsenal
- United States Air Force
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center
This list is a sampling of companies, not reflective of all organizations who recruit AU Aerospace Engineers.
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
ALUMNI
- Debi Tomek I Deputy Director I NASA Space Technology and Exploration
- Emily Zieman, '04 I Liaison Officer I U.S. Navy
- Gerald Smith, ’61 I Executive Director I National Space Science and Technology Center
- Jim Voss, ’72 I Astronaut I U.S. Army Colonel
- Lauren McManus, ’13 I Systems Engineer I Analytical Graphics Inc
- Lorenda Ward, ’90 and ’92 I Senior Accident Investigator I National Transportation Safety Board
- Nelda Lee, ’69 I Manager for Test and Evaluation Personnel I Boeing
- Rich Krtezschmar I President I i3
- Robert Champion, ’86 I Deputy Director & Chief Operations Officer I NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
- Seth Curl, ’08 I Digital Product Management I Sweetgreen
- Thomas K. Mattingly, ’58 I Astronaut and Lt. Commander
- Walt Woltosz, '69 and '77 I Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors I Simulations Plus, Inc
- Wendell Mead, ’63 and ’66 I CEO and Chief Technical Director I 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 Fair
- Gain experience through internships, co-op, volunteer opportunities, and/or part-time jobs
- Gain research experience by working on faculty projects or as a student employee
