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In fact, it pulled ahead of Boeing in terms of aircraft delivered in the first part of 2003. Other companies manufacture aircraft parts-GE manufactures engines and Raytheon makes radar systems-but nearly half of all aerospace dollars come from the defense market (Hoover's). Lockheed Martin derived more than 65 percent of its revenue from defense contracts with the U.S. government in 2002. Additionally, aerospace firms have large contracts with NASA. Lockheed and Boeing have agreements with NASA that equal 3 to 4 percent of their annual revenue-this includes the Space Shuttle, Satellite, Rocket, and other programs. If you're looking at aerospace firms, you'll definitely need to consider the possibility of working on defense projects. Typically, aerospace projects have a high technical complexity factor and low output-the processes aren't overly standardized and require a significant amount of engineering effort to produce products. For engineers, this means that juicy problem-solving activities abound not just in product development, but also in production. Moreover, NASA and the defense department have more far-sighted designs than the next quarter's profits, which means that their projects are often for cutting-edge technologies. The effect for people working in the industry is that you get to work on things that are decades ahead of what the general public will ever see. As an insider puts it, "defense is R&D; for the rest of the economy." Major Players Boeing Honeywell Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman Raytheon United Technologies Job Profiles & Hiring The job descriptions in aerospace and defense are nearly countless. There are so many products being made here, after all, and so many different jobs to do to get them made. As a result, the job titles and descriptions that follow constitute a very general guide to industry opportunities. Design Engineer People in these positions design, develop, test, and implement everything from the smallest parts of ships or aircraft to the ships or aircraft themselves. Included here are aerospace engineers (who design planes and rockets and the parts they consist of, including landing gear, wing flaps, doors, and engines), electrical engineers (who design electrical systems for planes, ships, and other industry products), and materials engineers (who design the materials used in industry products). These positions invariably include copious amounts of computer modeling and will concentrate on designing small portions of whole systems or vehicles (the locking systems of emergency exit doors rather than the entire 747, e.g.) at the lower levels. Avionics Engineer These are the people who design the navigational systems for aircraft. Like all the other engineers in the industry, avionics engineers do a lot of computer-aided design and start off working on small sections of entire systems. These positions are filled by people with avionics and electrical engineering degrees. Controls Engineer A hot job in aerospace and defense right now, as aircraft become increasingly computer controlled, controls engineering involves the design of systems that interpret pilots' commands to the plane. Again, there is a lot of computer modeling involved here. These positions are filled by people with aerospace and electrical engineering degrees. Environmental Engineer This has become a hot field in the industry in recent years. People in these positions have a degree in environmental engineering and design everything from noise-abatement systems (like those walls around the local airport) to systems to dispose of the waste resulting from manufacturing processes. Researcher Research positions are filled by PhDs in physics, chemistry, mathematics, aerospace, and other hard sciences. People in these positions do basic research using computer modeling to test the aerodynamics, performance, and other aspects of proposed aerospace and defense products. Software Engineer Software engineers write and test the software used in guidance and navigational systems for planes, ships, missiles, satellites, and so on. Generally, candidates with bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering or computer science fill these positions. Manufacturing Engineer These engineers, usually mechanical engineers, design the tools and processes used in the manufacturing of industry products. Usually, people in these positions need to have managerial skills in addition to technical skills. Technical Support Specialist People in these positions test and maintain aerospace and defense products after they've been delivered to the customer, to ensure their reliability. Tech support specialists travel more than most other people in the industry, as they must visit client sites as part of the job. People in these positions usually have an engineering or other technical degree. Instructor Instructors train customers in the use of aerospace and defense products. These jobs usually require a college degree, an instructor's certificate, and a pilot's license or some other proof of experience and expertise with the product in question. Purchasing Manager This position is one of the less technical entrees into the aerospace and defense industry and is often filled by people with an undergraduate business degree or an MBA. Purchasing managers find and buy the parts and materials needed to build aerospace and defense products. Market Analyst People in these positions study the aerospace and defense industry and how their firm fits into it, forecast trends in the marketplace, and recommend business strategy. This position is usually filled by liberal arts or business undergrads and MBAs. Getting Hired If you're an engineer, you'll do better finding a job and getting ahead in the industry if you have a master's rather than an undergraduate degree. Master's degree holders receive better pay and better advancement opportunities than their undergraduate counterparts. And if you do go for your master's, make sure to do your thesis on a topic that relates to that aspect of the industry you want to get hired to work in when you apply for jobs. Another thing to consider: Many of the big players in the industry recruit on campus. This means of recruiting is usually limited to regions in which a given company is located. With that in mind, here are a few things you can do to make your job hunt effective: Probably the best way to get a job in the aerospace and defense industry is to have connections. Does somebody you went to school with have a job in the industry? Contact her. Get your contacts to pass your resume on to people in the area in which you want to work. Then get on the phone and set up a meeting to kick-start the job-application process. While you're doing that, you can also surf aerospace and defense industry websites. Most of the big companies have websites where you can check out recent news about the companies and get information on job openings in the United States and around the world. If you're a college sophomore or junior or in the first year of your MBA program, and you're considering a career in aerospace and defense, check with the companies you're interested in to see if they offer summer internships. These can be a good way for you to learn more about the industry while making a positive impression on potential full-time employers. « Return to Previous Page Career Content ©2003 The Employment Channel		What do you like the best about St. Louis? • KHIT's 96 • The Pot Holes • Gus's Pretzels MO Power Ball:  16, 18, 26, 39, 48, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 5 IL Mega Millions:  17, 24, 29, 37, 45, Mega: 43 results posted by 9am following day Saint Louis, MO Sunny 73°F MORE→
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