Aerospace Engineers Salaries in Chesapeake, VA

About Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace Engineers design, develop, test, and oversee the production of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and related systems. The discipline divides into aeronautics—aircraft that operate within the Earth's atmosphere—and astronautics, which covers spacecraft and launch vehicles that operate in or travel to space. Aeronautical engineers work on commercial and military aircraft, designing airframes, propulsion systems, avionics, and flight control systems. Astronautical engineers design launch vehicles, spacecraft structures, propulsion, and mission systems for Earth orbit and deep space exploration. Common engineering analyses include aerodynamic analysis using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), structural analysis for fatigue and damage tolerance, propulsion performance modeling, and trajectory design. Aerospace engineers must navigate extensive regulatory frameworks—FAA certification for commercial aviation, NASA and DoD requirements for space and defense systems. System engineering discipline is central to managing the complexity of aerospace systems, which must meet simultaneously demanding requirements for safety, performance, weight, and cost. They often hold clearances for defense work. ABET-accredited aerospace engineering degrees are the standard educational foundation.

What Aerospace Engineers Do

• Design aerospace systems and components using CAD and analysis tools
• Perform aerodynamic, structural, and propulsion analysis
• Develop and conduct ground and flight testing programs
• Ensure designs comply with FAA or military airworthiness standards
• Apply systems engineering processes to manage complex system development
• Investigate failures and implement design improvements
• Prepare technical documentation including specifications, reports, and certification data
• Collaborate with manufacturing, avionics, and systems integration teams

Key Skills & Qualifications

• Aerodynamics and CFD analysis
• Structural analysis including fatigue and damage tolerance
• CAD software (CATIA, NX, or SOLIDWORKS)
• Propulsion system analysis and design
• Systems engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
• FAA certification processes or military airworthiness standards
• MATLAB and Simulink for controls and systems analysis
• PE licensure (valued for civilian aerospace practice)

Career Path

1. Aerospace Engineer I
2. Aerospace Engineer II
3. Senior Aerospace Engineer
4. Principal Engineer / Chief Engineer
5. Engineering Director / Program Manager

Aerospace Engineers Market in Chesapeake, VA