Types of aerospace engineer You can specialise in a particular area such as: aerodynamics; avionics; materials and structures; propulsion; systems integration. Responsibilities Specific tasks vary according to the role, specialist area and employer but they may include: applying the principles of science and technology to create aircraft, components and support equipment; researching and developing design specifications and using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create plans; supervising the assembly of airframes and the installation of engines, instruments and other equipment; taking part in flight-test programmes to measure take-off distances, rate of climb, stall speeds, manoeuvrability and landing capacities; resolving issues that arise during the design, development and testing processes; maintaining aircraft for full operation including making regular inspections, maintenance, repairs and servicing; measuring and improving the performance of aircraft, components and systems; modifying designs to improve safety features or minimise fuel consumption and pollution; investigating aircraft accidents; collating information, interpreting data and publishing the results of specific projects in technical report form; project managing, including scheduling resources and staff and managing budgets; communicating technical and regulatory advice to clients, teams, suppliers and other professionals within the aerospace industry and presenting data to groups and individuals.
