Aerospace travel, space exploration and flight of manned or unmanned vehicles continue to gain significance.

Aerospace engineering is involved with the science and technology of advanced vehicles, including aircraft, rockets, missiles and spacecraft.

Although a specialized branch of engineering, it is also diverse. Aerospace technology has expanded to include design and development of new earthbound vehicles, such as ground effect machines, hydrofoil ships and high-speed rail-type systems.

REQUIREMENTS

Engineering Track 1:

This track is for students who are ready for college level calculus. Students who start on this track can typically graduate in 4 years.

• GPA: 3.00
• ACT Math: 28
• SAT Math: 660

Engineering Track 2:

This track is for students who place into a pre-calculus course. Students who start out on this track can typically graduate in 4 or 4.5 years without taking summer classes.

• GPA: 2.75
• ACT Math: 26
• SAT Math: 610

Engineering Track 3:

This track is designed for students who place into algebra or pre-algebra and can typically graduate in 5 years.

• GPA: 2.50
• ACT Math: 22
• SAT Math: 540

Engineering Track 1 (Test Optional Requirements):

This track is for students who are ready for college level calculus. Students who start on this track can typically graduate in 4 years.

• GPA: 3.00
• ALEKS: 75

Engineering Track 2 – Test Optional:

This track is for students who place into a pre-calculus course. Students who start out on this track can typically graduate in 4 or 4.5 years without taking summer classes.

• GPA: 2.75
• ALEKS: 65

Engineering Track 3 – Test Optional:

This track is designed for students who place into algebra or pre-algebra and can typically graduate in 5 years.

• GPA: 2.50
• ALEKS: 45

General Engineering – Test Optional:

• GPA: 3.50

The bachelor’s program at University of Virginia was ranked #22 on College Factual’s Best Schools for aerospace engineering list. It is also ranked #2 in Virginia.

Ranking Type	Rank
Highest Paid Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Graduates	5
Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Colleges for Non-Traditional Students	19
Best Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering	22
Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Colleges for Veterans	41
Best Value Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering	45
Most Popular Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering	53
Most Focused Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering	54

During the 2018-2019 academic year, University of Virginia – Main Campus handed out 37 bachelor’s degrees in aerospace and aeronautical engineering. Due to this, the school was ranked #53 out of all colleges and universities that offer this degree. This is a decrease of 10% over the previous year when 41 degrees were handed out.

CAREERS

Aerospace Engineers

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques. Possible job titles for this career include: Aerospace Engineer.

$109,650MEDIAN SALARY

Career Description

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

• Aerospace Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Flight Test Engineer
• Systems Engineer

• Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
• Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
• Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
• Plan or coordinate activities concerned with investigating and resolving customers’ reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
• Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
• Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
• Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
• Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.
• Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
• Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.
• Diagnose performance problems by reviewing performance reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.
• Direct aerospace research and development programs.
• Research new materials to determine quality or conformance to environmental standards.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control. Possible job titles for this career include: Automation Engineer.

$97,300MEDIAN SALARY

Career Description

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

• Automation Engineer
• Controls Engineer
• Equipment Engineer
• Principal Engineer

• Design engineering systems for the automation of industrial tasks.
• Create mechanical design documents for parts, assemblies, or finished products.
• Maintain technical project files.
• Implement or test design solutions.
• Create mechanical models and tolerance analyses to simulate mechatronic design concepts.
• Conduct studies to determine the feasibility, costs, or performance benefits of new mechatronic equipment.
• Publish engineering reports documenting design details or qualification test results.
• Research, select, or apply sensors, communication technologies, or control devices for motion control, position sensing, pressure sensing, or electronic communication.
• Identify and select materials appropriate for mechatronic system designs.
• Apply mechatronic or automated solutions to the transfer of materials, components, or finished goods.
• Design advanced precision equipment for accurate or controlled applications.
• Upgrade the design of existing devices by adding mechatronic elements.
• Analyze existing development or manufacturing procedures and suggest improvements.
• Provide consultation or training on topics such as mechatronics or automated control.
• Oversee the work of contractors in accordance with project requirements.
• Design, develop, or implement control circuits or algorithms for electromechanical or pneumatic devices or systems.
• Design advanced electronic control systems for mechanical systems.
• Develop electronic, mechanical, or computerized processes to perform tasks in dangerous situations, such as underwater exploration or extraterrestrial mining.
• Design mechatronics components for computer-controlled products, such as cameras, video recorders, automobiles, or airplanes.
• Create embedded software design programs.

Wind Energy Engineers

Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications. Possible job titles for this career include: Project Designer, Transmission and Distribution Engineering.

$97,300MEDIAN SALARY

Career Description

Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications.

• Project Designer
• Transmission and Distribution Engineering
• Project Engineer
• Senior Engineer/Practice Leader-Land Development and Engineering
• Senior Wind Energy Consultant

• Create or maintain wind farm layouts, schematics, or other visual documentation for wind farms.
• Recommend process or infrastructure changes to improve wind turbine performance, reduce operational costs, or comply with regulations.
• Create models to optimize the layout of wind farm access roads, crane pads, crane paths, collection systems, substations, switchyards, or transmission lines.
• Provide engineering technical support to designers of prototype wind turbines.
• Investigate experimental wind turbines or wind turbine technologies for properties such as aerodynamics, production, noise, and load.
• Develop active control algorithms, electronics, software, electromechanical, or electrohydraulic systems for wind turbines.
• Develop specifications for wind technology components, such as gearboxes, blades, generators, frequency converters, and pad transformers.
• Test wind turbine components, using mechanical or electronic testing equipment.
• Oversee the work activities of wind farm consultants or subcontractors.
• Test wind turbine equipment to determine effects of stress or fatigue.
• Monitor wind farm construction to ensure compliance with regulatory standards or environmental requirements.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control. Possible job titles for this career include: Automation Engineer.

$97,300MEDIAN SALARY

Career Description

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

• Materials Engineer
• Materials Research Engineer
• Metallurgist
• Process Engineer

• Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection based on design objectives, such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
• Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
• Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
• Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
• Plan and implement laboratory operations for the purpose of developing material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
• Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
• Monitor material performance and evaluate material deterioration.
• Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
• Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives as necessary.
• Guide technical staff engaged in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
• Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
• Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
• Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
• Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
• Supervise production and testing processes in industrial settings, such as metal refining facilities, smelting or foundry operations, or nonmetallic materials production operations.
• Teach in colleges and universities.
• Design processing plants and equipment.

Sales Engineers Career

Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

• Account Executive
• Account Manager
• Customer Engagement Manager
• Technical Sales Engineer

• Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
• Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, and computer systems.
• Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
• Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
• Arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.
• Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
• Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
• Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
• Research and identify potential customers for products or services.
• Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
• Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.
• Develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.
• Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
• Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.
• Document account activities, generate reports, and keep records of business transactions with customers and suppliers.
• Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.
• Maintain sales forecasting reports.
• Identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.
• Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.
• Write technical documentation for products.