Aeronautical Engineers work with piston-engined aircraft, jets and turbo-props, helicopters, gliders, missiles, launch vehicles and spacecraft. They design and help construct aircraft prototypes, aerospace vehicles, propulsion systems, satellites and control and guidance systems. Aerospace Engineers are responsible for maintenance planning and have a thorough knowledge of electrical, electronic and computer systems.

You can work in the areas of design and manufacturing, research and development, and airworthiness operations. You may be involved in testing mechanical systems, flight characteristics and aircraft performance. You might design improved systems such as ground-based systems, flight control systems, fuel systems or even aircraft air conditioning systems.

This is a job for people with training at the graduate level. You may choose to specialise in such fields as helicopter design, structural optimisation or even experimental aerodynamics. Working in such a specialised field provides many opportunities in emerging technology doing innovative and research orientated work.