Expert: Paul Soderman - 1/28/2010

Question
I nee to interview a expert in this carer as part of my career presentation. Thanks for your time and valuable knowledge.

1. What knowledge or skills are required to be an aeronautical engineer?
2.Education/degree requirements?
3. What is a typical working day like for you?
4.pros/cons?
5.What opportunities for advancement(promotions/salary raises) are there, how can you achieve advancement?
6.How readily available are jobs in this industry, and what do you think a typical starting salary is?


Answer
   Generally, aeronautical engineers design and develop aerospace devices such as aircraft, missiles, race cars, jet engines, etc.  I was in research at NASA Ames Research Center where I was a Group Leader responsible for planning and executing wind tunnel studies aimed at improving our understanding of aeronautics and related technologies. I retired in 2004 and do a little consulting work from time to time.

A normal day involved examination of scientific literature, planning experiments, writing code for data analysis, analyzing experimental results, meeting with my peers, requesting support from management, writing reports, etc.  I traveled 4 to 6 times a year to various laboratories or scientific conferences.  Much of the work was done in the office, but we also worked in the lab, in the wind tunnels, and in the field conducting experimental studies relating to aeronautics and aeroacoustics.

The quality of work was high.  The pay was good, not exceptional, but government employees have good benefits such as excellent vacation time, sick leave and pensions.  Hours were good, we had the option of working 9 nine hour days and getting a three-day weekend every other weekend.  Job locations in aerospace are limited by the few number of organizations in the field, but jobs do exist all over the country.

Research is never boring, not counting the occasional meetings on team morale or time efficiency that we had to attend.

I often worked with engineers with different expertise such as electronics engineers, mechanical designers, software programmers, system control engineers, etc.

The projects I worked on can be found in engineering libraries - search on my name.  One project I was proud of was the investigation of the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.  I did the aero design the gas sample instrument.  We found what causes the hole, which led to the worldwide banning of fluro-hydrocarbons.

For this job you must be expert in math and physics as well as computer programming, electronics, and so on.

In high school I was inspired to be an engineer by my physics teacher and decided I wanted to build bridges or aircraft.  I chose aircraft and am glad.  I studied two years at Oregon State University, three at U. of Washington, and off and on at Stanford U.  I have B.S. and M.S. degrees in Aeronautical Engineering.  In those days one only had to apply for college, and if your high school grades were adequate you were given a chance.  I don't remember any SAT exam.  The flunk out rate the first year of engineering was high.  Courses studied include calculus, trig, geometry, algebra, complex variables, differential equations, physics, chemistry, electricity, stress and strain, dynamics, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, gas dynamics, thermodynamics, propulsion, stability and control, aircraft structures, design, elasticity, liberal arts, business, history, and many more.

After graduate school, I found that aerospace companies were recruiting but I chose to go to NASA Ames.  I stayed for almost 38 years.

High school students should take all the math and science they can get, especially physics.

Starting salary depends on many factors such as academic performance, skill set, experience, location, and more.  I imagine salaries now start at $60,000 per year more or less, but I haven't checked lately.  You can find that information on line.