Also called: Flight Operations Engineer, Airline Performance Engineer
Calculates how much a plane can carry, how much runway it needs, and how to save fuel on every route.
An airline performance engineer analyzes takeoff data for a new airport, builds tables pilots use on hot days, and studies how small changes in speed save millions in fuel.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in aerospace engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 17-2011: Much faster than average (7% or higher).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI tools optimize fuel and runway math; engineering judgment and FAA approvals stay human, with fewer junior roles.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2011.
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