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Government
The U.S. government offers engineers a vast array of
opportunities to work on aviation and space systems.
These include both civil and military aerospace programs.
Aviation
Federal employment for engineers in aviation
centers primarily on two agencies:
- Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA)
The FAA is responsible for promoting aviation safety,
developing new civil aviation technologies and operating
the air traffic control system.
- National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
The NTSB investigates aviation accidents and develops
procedures and recommendations to prevent future accidents.
The job functions of engineers in these agencies include
performing and executing tests & evaluations, developing
standards and requirements, working with the manufacturers
to keep systems operational, and performing various
investigations and safety inspections. In addition,
the FAA employs a number of Designated Engineering Representatives
(DERs) who work on-site at aircraft manufacturers and
major airline overhaul facilities to ensure standards
are being met.
Military
The Department
of Defense (DoD) is the largest employer of engineers
in the U.S. The DoD and its myriad of agencies and departments
are involved with the development and operations of
all types of aerospace systems including aircraft, spacecraft,
missiles, rockets, unmanned air vehicles and satellites.
The engineering job functions mirror those in the private
sector; however, with a few exceptions, the DoD does
not manufacture its own products. Engineers working
for the DoD and a host of intelligence agencies are
involved in research, concept development, design, testing,
operations, maintenance, sustainment, safety, and failure
investigations of systems for intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance.
DoD agencies and departments include:
For more detailed information on careers with the DoD,
check out their
website.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
is America’s civilian space agency. NASA has four
distinct missions: oversight of aeronautics research
and development; development and operations for space
exploration systems; scientific development related
to the earth, our solar system and the universe; and
space operations for our space transportation systems.
NASA engineers are involved in all aspects of the profession,
from research and design to test and operations to maintenance
and sustainment. NASA has eighteen space centers and
research facilities throughout the U.S., each with a
specialized mission that supports the ongoing efforts
in aeronautics and space research and development. Get
more detailed information on careers at NASA's website.
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Aerospace Industry
