Misconception about Aerospace Engineering?

DragonSharp · 08-03-2007, 08:22 PM

I just saw a site that the most misconception about Aerospace Engineering that it can actually get you into plane-producing companies like Lockheed-Martin and Northdrop Gruman. But they actually are looking for people who major in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering.

Is this really true or not? Any info is much appreciated.

GatorEng23 · 08-03-2007, 08:25 PM

They look for Electrical, Aerospace, and Mechanical. What the misconception is that people think that Lockheed/Boeing hires almost entirely AE's when they actually hire as much EE's/ME's.

DragonSharp · 08-03-2007, 08:32 PM

So you are saying the ratio of AE's to EE's and ME's is almost equivalent?
Do you think it is safe for me take ME's as an alternative major to AE's?

GatorEng23 · 08-03-2007, 08:49 PM

I don't know what the percentages are, but it's safe (and in some ways, preferable) for you to study ME as an alternative major to AE. If you are interested in AE, I recommend taking some AE courses for your technical electives for ME (if your school allows it).

DragonSharp · 08-03-2007, 08:53 PM

Thanks for your help, man. Hopefully I get into a nice company XD.

sky · 08-03-2007, 09:11 PM

The important thing to realize here is that these companies are not just airframe builders. The reason they need CS and EE is because their systems are driven by electrical/computer systems. For a system like the JSF or F-22, avionics comprise a HUGE portion of the system cost. These are also where some of the biggest challenges are. It's not that CS or EEs replace AE and ME, they are working on separate things.

That said, you should pick your major based on what you want to do. If you want to do stuff that is distinctly aerospace, like propulsion, aerodynamics, flight control, aeroelasticity, then do AE. If you want to do things like structures, or other mechanical systems, like landing gear, then doing ME is just fine. If you don't know what you want to do, ME is the safer route. However, AE will probably be more competitive for getting AE specific jobs (with obvious allowances for where you got your degree and how well you did, and any experience you have).

Brendank · 08-04-2007, 10:27 AM

Those companies heir all kinds of engineers. Computer scientists/engineers are in particularly high demand in the US aerospace field since it can't be exported out of the country.

redbeard · 08-05-2007, 11:55 AM

I know somebody who just started with Lockheed. He's a recent systems engineering graduate. They hire a lot of systems engineers, too (according to their website).

scorp · 08-05-2007, 12:36 PM

I wonder if Lockheed & others need a biomedical engineering grad with a heavy focus in CS (not an actual minor but say 21 credits in upper level 300+ CS courses -- systems, theory, etc... with a lot of programming experience (outside the CS curriculum)) maybe to make models of various in flight effects on the body.

sakky · 08-05-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Computer scientists/engineers are in particularly high demand in the US aerospace field since it can't be exported out of the country.

Yes it can. In fact, it already is. For example, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is being co-built with partner companies from Europe, notably BAE (a British firm). That, in effect, is aerospace outsourcing right there, as I'm sure that not everybody in BAE who is working on the F-35 is an American citizen.

Now, some of you might be thinking that it is no big deal to outsource some military aerospace work to the Brits. However, that misses the point that if we can outsource to the Brits, then in theory, we can outsource to anybody.

Brendank · 08-05-2007, 06:26 PM

I don't know specifically about the F-35 but a very large fraction of projects in the aerospace industry require US citizenship and security clearances. Secure projects cannot be outsourced.

sky · 08-05-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Secure projects cannot be outsourced.

With some parts, you are correct. There are certain systems and tasks that won't be outsourced, but sakky is correct that joint programs are certainly the new direction in the aerospace field. Many new programs, especially very large ones, rely on international collaboration. With appropriate export control deals in place, there are very few things that will never be released outside of the US.

More importantly, the aerospace and defense industries are not the ones you want to get into if job security is your number one concern. Defense, commercial, and scientific (ie. NASA) industries have historically been very cyclical. There have been times where hiring has been intense with a great outlook, other times, the aerospace industry has been a joke (ie. "would you like fries with that?"). In other words, do not rely on the defense industry for job security. We have been in good times lately, but it would be foolish to think that will continue forever.

lil_killer129 · 08-05-2007, 07:40 PM

What do you guys think about majoring in AERSP with an IST minor? Will it be useful?

http://www.personal.psu.edu/lnl/istaero.html

Rabban · 08-08-2007, 01:35 PM

I recently participated in project review for PSU. They have an outstanding AE dept faculty, in particular rotorcraft aerodynamics & dynamics.

http://www.engr.psu.edu/rcoe/

khoda · 08-08-2007, 05:05 PM

I have a buddy who majored in Mechanical Engineering (with a breadth of courses in the physics department) and is now at Caltech in there graduate program for Aerospace. The two disciplines overlap and, as sky said, it's safter to do ME if you're not sure.