Aeronautical Engineer: Roles, Responsibilities, Salary, Interview Questions

“To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.” – Jerry Crawford

For dreamers fascinated by the limits of the sky and the science that goes behind these flying machines, aeronautical engineering is an ideal career path. It is a popular career choice for aspiring engineers. The field deals with the design and construction of aircraft and flight machines. So, are you wondering how to become a part of this intriguing field as an Aeronautical Engineer? You are in the right place.

This blog has combined a roadmap for you covering the responsibilities of an Aeronautics Engineer, salary, colleges offering this course, and most importantly, how to get started.

Who is an Aeronautical Engineer?

An Aeronautical Engineer is a trained professional who has to design, develop, and manage the production of aircraft and its related equipment. This field requires a thorough understanding of physics, mathematics, and material science as these subjects form the core of aeronautics. Aeronautical engineers stand at the forefront of the technological advancements in the aviation industry. They have to apply advanced knowledge of aerodynamics, propulsion, and structural analysis to solve complex problems of an aircraft.

It is a broad field, thus, the scope of this role varies significantly at different levels. Entry-level candidates are usually involved in technical and support roles. Mid-level professionals are made to handle some leadership tasks of projects. As you move up the seniority scale, you get involved in high-scale designing, strategic planning and decision-making. Let’s learn about the job description of an Aeronautical Engineer in detail.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of an Aeronautical Engineer

The exact duties of an Aeronautical Engineer will be different in various organisations and departments. The engineer involved in the design will have a different role than the one involved in quality assurance. So we have combined the typical responsibilities of an Aeronautical Engineer here.

• Researching the new technological advancements for aircraft

• Design the aircraft and its components using various software

• Develop and test prototypes

• Evaluate design features and ensure functionality and safety

• Work with multidisciplinary teams to integrate systems

• Identity cause of aircraft accident and recommend improvements

• Use of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to enhance performance and reduce environmental impact

Essential Skills Required to Become an Aeronautical Engineer

The job of an Aeronautical Engineer requires comprehensive knowledge and rigorous training. Following are the skills which you must focus on in this journey:

• The ability to analyse, make critical decisions and fix the problem at hand.

• A keen eye is a must as aircraft design demands precision to ensure efficiency and safety.

• You should be proficient in computer-aided design (CAD), programming languages and simulation tools.

• Should be innovative, adaptable and tech enthusiast

• Strong understanding of the physics and mathematics principles

• Project management and teamwork

• Understanding of propulsion systems

• Systems engineering and integration

How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer?

The road to something new is tough. That is why we plan things out to ensure we are headed in the right direction. If you are passionate about aviation and want to a build career as an aeronautics engineer, we have created a roadmap to help you get started.

• Pursue the Right Education: Once you are done with your 10+2 you should go ahead and opt for a 4-year B.Tech or B.E. degree in aerospace or aeronautics engineering. As these courses involve mathematics, science and physics, it is suggested that you choose the PCM (physics, chemistry & maths) stream in your plus two. There are research institutions as well that offer accredited courses with intense practical work.

• Gain Practical Experience: This necessarily doesn’t mean working full-time. Start working on projects at your university, attend workshops, or take up internships in different departments of the field to identify your interest and gain practical exposure. Research projects are also a great way to expand your skill set.

• Skill Enhancement: See where you need improvement and accordingly work to strengthen your skills. This way you can diversify your skills and acquire advanced knowledge.

• Start the Job Search: When you are in the last semester, start applying for suitable job roles in your desired organisations. If you intend to work with government agencies you may have to appear for recruitment exams. Be open to diverse roles in the aeronautics domain and have a clear idea about the job role while applying.

• Career Development and Specialisation: After spending a few years in the industry, some candidates go for specialisations for career enhancement and bigger roles in the organisations. This is not a mandatory step, but beneficial for long-term growth.

Aeronautical Engineer Salary Potential

The salary of an aeronautical engineer depends on various factors such as experience, city, and organisation.

• Aeronautical Engineer salary based on experience: 

• Aeronautical Engineer salary based on the city: 

• Aeronautical Engineer salary based on the company: 

Please note that the salaries given are as per current market trends which may change accordingly.

Interview Questions for the Aeronautical Engineer Job

Based on the report of various job portals like Indeed and Glassdoor, here are a few interview questions that recruiters often ask.

General Questions:

1.  Tell me about yourself

2. Why did you choose aeronautical engineering?

3. Tell me about the major sectors involved in aircraft maintenance

4. What is the main source of power in an aircraft?

5. Differentiate between the inviscid and viscous flow.

6. What is the function of a rudder?

7. Where do you see yourself in five years?

8. How do you consider yourself an ideal candidate for this role?

9. Do you have experience in using 3D modelling software?

10. Which area of aeronautical engineering are you most equipped with?

11. Have you ever made changes to your aircraft design because of the new safety standards/regulations? If yes, describe it.

In-depth Questions:

1. Explain the laws of gyro-dynamics

2. What makes strain a major factor in aircraft engineering?

3. Do you have any experience dealing with automated piloting systems?

4. How do you evaluate the performance of an aircraft?

5. Which tests would you conduct while testing materials and prototypes before its development?

6. What’s your design process to ensure the aircraft’s safety and efficiency?

7. Tell me about the methods you use to calculate the aerodynamic feasibility of aircraft and spacecraft designs.

8. How would you deal with a situation if you saw your colleague make a mistake in a critical component design?

9. Tell me about that time when you failed a project and how you fixed it the next chance.

Top Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India

Aeronautical engineering is a highly technical and valued profession. To become a successful professional in this field, you must choose the best college. Here is a list of some of the top aeronautical engineering colleges in India.

*The fee structure is subject to change from time to time.

Winding Up

The scope of the Aeronautical Engineer job role is vast, in India and abroad both. As this field demands a high level of precision and advanced knowledge, one must have true passion and interest for this field to slide into a successful career. With the growing need for improvement and upgradation in this industry, aeronautical engineering remains a good career path.

FAQs

Q1. What is the responsibility of an aeronautical engineer?

They are involved in designing aircraft propulsion systems and have to study the aerodynamic performance of aircraft. They have to design, develop, test and produce aircraft.

Q2. What can I do after 12th to become an aeronautical engineer?

Once you complete your 10+2 in PCM or engineering diploma, you should choose an aeronautical engineering course from a recognised university.

Q3. Can I join ISRO after aeronautical engineering?

Yes, you can join ISRO after aeronautical engineering. ISRO hires candidates from different backgrounds and levels of experience depending upon the role.

Q4. What is the minimum salary of an aeronautical engineer in ISRO?

According to the latest trends on Ambition Box, an Aeronautical Engineer at ISRO can earn INR 8.8 LPA.

Q5. Is aeronautical engineering difficult?

Like any other engineering field, aeronautical engineering is challenging because of rigorous coursework and intense practical work.

Q6. What is the monthly income of an aeronautical engineer?

An entry-level Aeronautical Engineer can earn up to INR 45,000 to INR 50,000 in a month. This may vary depending on the department where you work.