Expert: David A. NewMyer - 7/22/2009

Question
Respected Sir,
I am pursuing Aeronautical Engineering from India.
What are the job prospectus available outside India?
Do I need a post graduation degree to apply so?

Answer
Hi, Rohit:

Thank you for your question, I will try to assist.

I am not as much of an expert in aerospace engineering as I am in non-engineering aviation jobs, but, I believe I can assist you nonetheless.

The bottom line is that aeronautical engineering jobs in general are under pressure world-wide due to the economic recession.  There is still some hiring due to general attrition (people who retire or others who leave for other jobs) but there is relatively little hiring due to growth.  The exceptions are, of course, at companies like Boeing Commercial Airplanes (US) or Airbus (Europe, particularly France, Germany or Italy) or Embraer (Brazil).  All of these companies have new aircraft under development and have orders for these aircraft.  Therefore, there continues to be some hiring to support these new aircraft.  What I would do if I were you is to conduct some basic research into the main aerospace manufacturers world-wide and see what each company has available and posted on their websites.  I would research such companies as:

Boeing (US)

Airbus (Europe)

Embraer (Brazil)

British Aerospace (UK)

Rolls-Royce (UK--engine manufacturing)

Hindustan Aeronautics (IN)

Lockheed-Martin (US)

Raytheon (US)

Northrup-Grumman (US)

United Technologies (US)

General Electric (US, engine manufacturing)

Rockwell-Collins (US--avionics manufacturing, etc)

And, there are many others to research....make a list by searching on the internet, organized by nation (countries where you would like to work).  Make sure that you check on the immigration and worker visa requirements of each nation as they vary in terms of what is required of a non-native worker in the aerospace field.

As far as a post-grad degree, yes, that would make you more marketable.  But, first, make sure that you check the JOB REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS at each of the companies that you research as per the above recommendation.  That is, make sure that you know from the beginning what the minimum job requirements are for each company that you want to work for....

I wish you the very best in your search for a meaningful position!

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer