How to Become an Aerospace Engineer

This lucrative job serves as the foundation of aviation design.

John McDermott

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 09:09 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

GE Aerospace said it planned to hire more than 900 engineers in 2024. [Credit: GA Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Aerospace engineers are vital for designing, testing, and maintaining aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies, ensuring safe and regular flight.
A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field is typically required, with advanced degrees and internships at major companies like Boeing or NASA enhancing career competitiveness.
Career opportunities for aerospace engineers span the private sector (manufacturers, airlines) and government agencies (NASA, DoD), with a median annual salary of approximately $130,000.

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Learning how airplanes fly is an essential part of aviation. Pilots and mechanics alike must know how their aircraft work, and the mechanics of flight are regularly a subject of discussion in popular media, the news, and even advertising.

Designing and maintaining aircraft is a central question in any aviation company. Aerospace engineers are well-equipped to solve any problem that arises, whether for manufacturers working to make flight possible to the operators who must ensure safe flight on a day-to-day basis.