Responsibilities of an Aeronautical Engineer?

I’ve been thinking about possibly pursuing aeronautical engineering in college. Can anyone shed some light on what aeronautical engineers actually do? Like, what kind of projects do they work on, and are there specific skills I'd need to develop?

Aeronautical Engineers are involved in the designing, developing, testing, and production of aircraft and related systems. They typically work on projects that relate to commercial aviation, defense systems, and even space exploration.

1. Design and Development: This is one of the primary areas where an aeronautical engineer's expertise is utilized. They can be involved in the initial concept, design, development, and construction of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missile systems, ensuring their performance, cost-effectiveness, and safety.

2. Testing: Aeronautical engineers also carry out detail-oriented and rigorous testing activities to evaluate aerodynamics, durability, and reliability of these aircrafts and related systems. They might even develop new testing procedures or modify existing ones.

3. Production: This involves overseeing the manufacturing process to ensure that the final products meet specific requirements.

4. Maintenance: They can be involved in repair, preventative maintenance, and updating of aircraft. They troubleshoot problems, provide technical advice and write manuals to guide these processes.

5. Research: Many aeronautical engineers work in a research capacity to develop new technologies, materials, and equipment.

In terms of skills, a strong foundation in physics and math is essential since these subjects play a significant role in this field. You'll also want to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as engineering in general revolves around identifying problems and proposing solutions to them. Other skills include teamwork and communication since you'll often be working with other engineers, technicians, and sometimes clients. Familiarity with software used in engineering design (CAD) can also be beneficial. Since this field is ever-evolving with emerging technologies, having the ability to adapt and learn new tools and methodologies is essential too.