Career Advice for an Aircraft Engineer

As an Aircraft Engineer, you will design, build, and maintain aircraft and their components.

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How to Become an Aircraft Engineer

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an Aircraft Engineer

Should you wish to work as an Aircraft Engineer you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Aircraft Engineer

  • Two A Levels in Maths and Physics.
  • A Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Avionics.

Key Responsibilities for an Aircraft Engineer

  • Designing and testing aircraft and their components.
  • Maintaining and repairing aircraft to ensure safety and efficiency.
  • Collaborating with other engineers and technicians to solve complex problems.
  • Ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and safety standards.
  • Managing projects and budgets.
  • Continuously learning and staying up-to-date with new technologies and industry developments.

What to expect as an Aircraft Engineer

As an Aircraft Engineer in the UK, you could work for airlines, aerospace manufacturers, or maintenance and repair organisations.

Recommended Aircraft Engineer Jobs

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How to get Aircraft Engineer Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Aircraft Engineer job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Aircraft Engineer application. If you have not held an Aircraft Engineer position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Aircraft Engineer role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Aircraft Engineer CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Aircraft Engineer application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Aircraft Engineer in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Aircraft Engineer 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Aircraft Engineer and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Aircraft Engineer experience.

How to get Aircraft Engineer Experience

What does it take to be an Aircraft Engineer? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Aircraft Engineer jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Aircraft Engineer through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Aircraft Engineer Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Aircraft Engineer part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Aircraft Engineer or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Aircraft Engineer freelance work

If you have impressive Aircraft Engineer qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.