Also called: Missile Design Engineer
Designs guided missiles and interceptors, from their guidance computers to their rocket motors.
You run 6-degree-of-freedom flight simulations, review test data from a launch at a desert range, and work through design reviews with dozens of other engineers. Test days at the range are tense and exciting.
Huge employers in Tucson, Huntsville and Southern California.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering; clearance required.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Aerospace engineers overall.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds guidance software and simulation; flight tests and classified design accountability stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, JROTC.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2011.
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