Aerospace

AEROSPACE Aerospace has taken off in Colorado, and if you’re looking for an out-of-this-world career, you might

• Engineering Managers

have just found it. Aerospace jobs launch rockets, send

• Aerospace/Systems Engineers

humans to the moon and search for alien life in space

• Computer Software Engineers,

– and this is just in the next few years! Besides space,

Applications • Industrial Engineers • Mechanical Engineers

our region’s aerospace industry focuses on earth science activities that support climate monitoring and extreme weather forecasting, helping our planet and people.

• Business Operations Specialists • Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technicians • Industrial Engineering Technicians • Computer Support Specialists • Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging & Systems Assemblers • Machinists • Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers & Weighers • Structural Metal Fabricators & Fitters

Did you know?

Aerospace isn’t just engineering! Machinists, Computer Specialists and Manufacturing Workers are employed in this industry as well.

Step 1: Identify your interests

Compare your interests, skills and work values with Aerospace occupations using Labor Market Information’s Career Explorer: Visit www.coworkforce.com/lmigateway

• Click on “Services for Individuals”

• Choose “Career Services” This will take you to “Career Explorer” where you can match your skills to occupations.

Step 2: Explore the Aerospace industry & careers Learn about high-growth, in-demand careers and what they pay on the LMI Gateway website: www.coworkforce.com/lmigateway For more information on a career in Aerospace, check out www.spacefoundation.org, www.incose.org and www.spacecolorado.org

Step 3: Find education, training & financial aid options Discover the best education or training institutions for your career goals and how to get money for school at www.collegeincolorado.org

Step 4: Find available job openings www.connectingcolorado.com

Matthew Dahl

Satellite Flight Controller at LASP in Boulder, CO Instead of checking email, like many workers’ days begin, Matthew starts out by checking spacecraft data.

After reviewing the data and making sure everything is set for the day’s activities, he’ll sit down on-console with a student Command Controller and command a spacecraft to retrieve data collected since its last contact with the ground.

After the contacts are done, he’ll send out a shift report, detailing the day’s activities.

For Matthew, the best part of his job is knowing that when he goes into work that he’ll be in command of a spacecraft flying hundreds, in some cases thousands, of miles above the Earth, traveling at an incredible speed. Even better is that he is a part of cutting-edge science that improves human knowledge of the universe and our way of life.

Who do you want to be tomorrow?

Occupation

Average Hourly/Annual Wage

Minimum Education/Training

Engineering Managers

$63.05 / $131,147

Work experience + Bachelor's Degree

Aerospace/Systems Engineers

$49.63 / $103,236

Computer Software Engineers, Applications

Plan, coordinate & direct engineering design, production & research & development activities. They may supervise engineers, scientists, technicians & support personnel.

Suggested Programs of Study Aerospace Management, Engineering & Technology Management

Bachelor's Degree

Aerospace Engineering, Astrophysics/Physics, Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences Systems engineers sometimes have education in other engineering disciplines.

$44.37 / $92,284

Bachelor's Degree

Applied Computing Technology, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Industrial Engineers

$39.46 / $82,080

Bachelor's Degree

Engineering & Applied Science, Engineering Physics

Mechanical Engineers

$45.55 / $94,751

Bachelor's Degree

Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Business Operations Specialists

$33.99 / $70,694

Bachelor's Degree

Business

Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technicians

$30.08 / $62,558

Associate Degree

Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Operations, Pre-Aerospace Engineering Technology

Industrial Engineering Technicians

$25.11 / $52,233

Associate Degree

Engineering Science, Industrial Maintenance Technology

Computer Support Specialists

$24.53 / $51,027

Associate Degree

End User Support Specialist, Computer Service/Network Technology, Computer Support Technician/Information Systems

$18.54 / $38,567

At least 1 year of on-the-job training

Airframe Mechanics, High Tech Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing/Machining

Machinists

$18.57 / $38,624

At least 1 year of on-the-job training

Machine Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing/Machining

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers & Weighers

$17.70 / $36,826

Structural Metal Fabricators & Fitters

$17.86 / $37,145

Perform a variety of engineering work in designing, constructing & testing aircraft, missiles & spacecraft. May recommend improvements in testing equipment & techniques. Systems Engineers work with the “big picture,” making sure that all of the aerospace systems work together effectively.

Develop, create & modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Design or customize software for client use, optimizing operational efficiency.

Design, develop, test & evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes like quality/inventory control, logistics/material flow & cost analysis.

Perform engineering tasks like planning/designing tools, engines, machines & other mechanical equipment. Supervise equipment installation, operation, maintenance & repair.

Administer & manage a variety of business operations from human resources to financial services. Project managers are often in this job category.

Operate, install, calibrate & maintain integrated computer/communications systems consoles, test/measurement instruments & equipment to launch, track & evaluate air & space vehicles.

Apply engineering theory & principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff.

Provide technical assistance to computer system users.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging & Systems Assemblers Assemble, fit, fasten & install parts of airplanes, space vehicles or missiles.

Set up & operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts & instruments. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify or repair mechanical instruments.

1-12 months on-the-job training

Advanced Manufacturing/Machining, High Tech Manufacturing

1-12 months on-the-job training

Structural Engineering Technology

Inspect, test, sort, sample or weigh products, looking for defects, wear & deviations from specifications. May use complex test equipment & instruments.

Fabricate, lay out, position, align & fit parts of structural metal products.

Mari Gravlee

Advanced Programs Engineer for United Launch Alliance in Centennial, CO On any given day, Mari could be reviewing test results from a rocket engine thruster or traveling to NASA to discuss the development of a test setup for cryogenic propellants. Her days can be hectic, but they are never dull.

Although she has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mari says that communication – oftentimes an Engineer’s weakest point – is one of the most important skills for her job. Being able to explain things to others and gain their support is very important.

Although she enjoys her day to day duties, nothing is as exciting as launch day. Mari says it’s incredible to see all the rocket systems working together to deliver a satellite into space.

To learn more about occupations & resources, visit www.MetroDenverCareers.com

www.metrodenver.org/wired www.metrodenver.org/wired

https://www.nims-skills.org/ web/nims/home

B B, G B, G B, G

B, G B, G B, G

B B, G B, G

Advanced Manufacturing/Machining Airframe Mechanics Business Computer Science Computer Service/Network Technology Computer Support Technician/Information Systems Engineering &/or Applied Science Engineering Physics High Tech Manufacturing Industrial Maintenance Technology Machine Technologies Mechanical Engineering &/or Technology Pre-Aerospace Engineering Technology Structural Engineering Technology C = Certificate, A = Associate Degree

Unive rs Color ity of Nor thern ado

Metro p Colle olitan Stat ge of e Denv er

t e Un

B, G B, G B, G B, G

C B

B B

C G

B, G

B

A, C

A, C

C

A, C A A A, C

A, C A

A, C A

A, C A, C

A, C A A A, C A, C

Picke ns Te chnic al Co llege

Comm u Denv nity Colle er ge o f

f Comm u Auro nity Colle ra ge o

Arapa h Colle oe Commu ge nity

B

B B

unity

B

Emily G Schoo riffith Op port l

B

Aims Comm unity Colle ge

Community Colleges & Area Technical Colleges

Color ado S ta

B, G

G B, G B, G B, G B = Bachelor’s Degree, G = Graduate Degree, C = Concentration/Certificate

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), Inc. has developed a competencybased metalworking apprenticeship to support career development in the advanced manufacturing areas of Aerospace. This apprenticeship can lead to a job as a Machinist. For more information, visit NIMS at:

iversi ty

es f Min ool o Color ado S ch

B

nity

Engineering Physics Engineering Science Engineering & Technology Management Mechanical Engineering

C C

Red R o Colle cks Comm ge u

Astrophysics/Physics Business Computer Science Electrical &/or Computer Engineering End User Support Specialist Engineering

B

B, G

Front R Colle ange Com ge munit y

Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Management Aerospace Operations Applied Computing Technology Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences

Unive rsi at De ty of Colo nver rado

Public University Programs

Unive rsi at Bo ty of Colo ulder rado

Getting There

C A, C A, C A, C

A, C A, C A, C A

A

A, C A A, C A, C

A, C

A, C A, C A

C C C

C

A A, C

This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, and the City and County of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

www.e-colorado.org

CollegeInColorado.org GO FURTHER

GO TO COLLEGE