Also called: Fluid Systems Engineer
Designs the valves and regulators that control super-cold propellants in rockets.
You design a valve that opens in milliseconds at minus 400 degrees, then test it with liquid nitrogen. If a valve fails during a test firing, you lead the investigation.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 9% over 10 years). Mechanical engineers overall.
Low risk for 10 years. AI speeds CAD and flow simulation; cold-flow testing and fixing leaky valves stay hands-on.
Classes: AP Physics, CAD class, Shop class, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2141.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.