2146-NOC

Aerospace engineers

(NOC 2146)
Annual Earnings
$85,111
Typical Education Background
Degree
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
110

Career Overview

Aerospace engineers:

  • Research, design and develop aerospace vehicles, systems and components
  • Perform duties related to aerospace testing, evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance
  • Work for aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers, air transport carriers, and in government, educational and research institutions

Duties

Aerospace engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Design and develop aerospace vehicles, systems and components such as aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, satellites and space-based communication systems
  • Develop and carry out computer simulations of aerospace vehicles, systems and components using advanced mathematical modelling
  • Prepare specifications for materials and processes to be used in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair or modification
  • Oversee and coordinate the manufacturing, assembly modification, repair and overhaul of aircraft and spacecraft
  • Coordinate ground and flight tests of air and spacecraft
  • Develop operational specifications, maintenance schedules and manuals for operators
  • Develop the technical phases of logistical and operational support for aerospace vehicles and systems
  • Investigate and report on structural or other component or system failures, accidents or incidents and prepare recommendations for corrective action

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$85,111

Provincial Hourly Rate

HighN/A
MedianN/A
LowN/A
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

300

% Employed Full Time

68%
Source: 2016 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office or school.

Career Pathways

There is considerable mobility between aerospace engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Engineers also often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience, which may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative
Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Aerospace reliability specialist
Engineer, aerodynamics
Engineer, aeronautical
Engineer, aerospace - design & development
Engineer, aerospace - flight test
Engineer, aerospace - mass properties
Engineer, aerospace - material stress
Engineer, aerospace - propulsion systems
Engineer, aerospace - structures
Engineer, aerospace - systems analysis
Engineer, aircraft - design / weight analyst
Engineer, design - aircraft
Specialist, space reliability

Education, Training and Skills

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or in a related engineering discipline, such as mechanical engineering or engineering physics, is required.
  • Master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
  • Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
  • Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering
  • Engineering Science
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

76%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

74%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

72%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

71%
Judgment and Decision-Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

71%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

70%
Numeracy

Using mathematics to solve problems.

69%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

68%
Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

64%
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

63%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

300
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo N/A 0.0%
Kootenay N/A 3.5%
Mainland/Southwest 270 70.2%
North Coast and Nechako N/A N/A
Northeast N/A 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 40 10.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 50 15.8%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

110
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo N/A N/A
Kootenay N/A N/A
Mainland/Southwest 100 1.1%
North Coast and Nechako N/A N/A
Northeast N/A N/A
Thompson-Okanagan 0 2.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 0 0.0%
N/A: Data is not available for this region.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Manufacturing49,200
Transportation and Warehousing53,400
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services148,000
Public Administration49,200
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.