Aerospace Engineers
SOC: 17-2011.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
AI Impact Summary
Aerospace Engineers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 36/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2041 and 2051. Of 18 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$134,830
per year
Mean Wage
$141,180
per year
Employment
68K
workers
Wage Range
$85,350 - $205,850
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 24.4%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Aerospace Engineers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
18 tasks analyzed
Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
Plan or coordinate activities concerned with investigating and resolving customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
Diagnose performance problems by reviewing performance reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.
Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
Direct aerospace research and development programs.
Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.
Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.
Research new materials to determine quality or conformance to environmental standards.
Evaluate and approve selection of vendors by studying past performance or new advertisements.
Review aerospace engineering designs to determine how to reduce negative environmental impacts.
Design new or modify existing aerospace systems to reduce polluting emissions, such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, or smoke emissions.
Design or engineer filtration systems that reduce harmful emissions.
Evaluate biofuel performance specifications to determine feasibility for aerospace applications.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 10% |
| Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment. | Non-Routine Analytical | 40 | 43.0 | 8% |
| Plan or coordinate activities concerned with investigating and resolving customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 25 | 25.0 | 6% |
| Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations. | Non-Routine Analytical | 45 | 45.0 | 10% |
| Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 8% |
| Diagnose performance problems by reviewing performance reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products. | Non-Routine Analytical | 50 | 47.0 | 6% |
| Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 8% |
| Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 7% |
| Direct aerospace research and development programs. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 5% |
| Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates. | Non-Routine Analytical | 55 | 49.0 | 6% |
| Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 6% |
| Maintain records of performance reports for future reference. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 4% |
| Research new materials to determine quality or conformance to environmental standards. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 3% |
| Evaluate and approve selection of vendors by studying past performance or new advertisements. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 3% |
| Review aerospace engineering designs to determine how to reduce negative environmental impacts. | Non-Routine Analytical | 55 | 49.0 | 3% |
| Design new or modify existing aerospace systems to reduce polluting emissions, such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, or smoke emissions. | Non-Routine Analytical | 50 | 47.0 | 3% |
| Design or engineer filtration systems that reduce harmful emissions. | Non-Routine Analytical | 45 | 45.0 | 2% |
| Evaluate biofuel performance specifications to determine feasibility for aerospace applications. | Non-Routine Analytical | 55 | 49.0 | 2% |
Community Assessment
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