Engineers

• Analytical: Analytical engineers use their knowledge of engineering concepts to analyze data and make conclusions. For example, based on their understanding of aerodynamics and structures, engineers can figure out what makes an airplane fly the way it does and how to make it safer and stronger. Engineers often specialize in a particular field (like thermodynamics, aerodynamics or structures) and work with other experts in order to solve a problem together.
• Design: Engineers use some of their most creative skills when it comes to design - they determine the size, shape, structure, arrangement, and function of components of airplanes that meet the specifications set by the customer and safety or cost constraints. They also need to keep in mind how the aerodynamics, power requirements and weight will affect the overall design.
• Materials and Processes: A big focus in the design of airplanes is to make them weigh as little as possible. Materials engineers study materials, both conventional and composite for use in airplane structures. Some areas of concern are the strength and rigidity of the material, its availability, its ease of processing, and its resistance to temperature and fatigue.
• Systems: Because an airplane's design is really the combination of a bunch of smaller sub-systems, a systems engineer tries to look at the big picture. They use their overall knowledge of engineering to determine whether all the systems interface with each other correctly. Often they need to check back with the customer to make sure the design being developed is on the right track and meeting their specifications.
• Software: Because almost all systems on an airplane are controlled by computers, software engineers design and test the software that control and instruct those computers. Software engineers also develop the computer simulation and data collecting software used in the airplane design.
• Manufacturing: Working closely with design engineers, manufacturing engineers make sure that an airplane design can be manufactured quickly and easily. They plan the tooling, construction, and assembly of airplane components and determine whether they still meet necessary requirements throughout the process.
• Flight Research: Flight research engineers analyze data that comes back from research flights to figure out how well a design performed on an actual flight. From these observations, they can suggest what might need to be changed in future similar designs. They also are involved in the research test flight planning and the preparation of final flight research reports.
• Field Service: Once an airplane is manufactured for general use, engineers are needed for what is called field service. They provide maintenance and service information to the airplane's users (usually airliners or the military) to make sure the product is used safely and most efficiently. If there's a problem that needs to be resolved with the airplane's design, field service engineers contact the manufacturing and design engineers.

Scientists and Technicians

Scientists usually work in one of three places: Industrial Research and Development (R & D), Private and Government Labs and Academic Research. Scientists are vital to the discovery of new products and processes or to broaden the field of science by deriving or clarifying theories and concepts to be used by others. In an academic setting, many scientists teach at a college or university while they are also doing their research.