This occupation is found in the civil and military aerospace sector. The occupation can be found in large, medium and small employers across the world. Aerospace engineers may work on specific aerospace products and associated integrated aerospace environments and infrastructure. Examples include aerospace manufacturers, aerospace support services, airports, aircraft carriers and air traffic control.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to design and develop aircraft, aeronautical components and associated systems including operational support. They support customers by aiming to improve flight safety, aircraft efficiency and reduce costs. They review aerospace products and develop design and manufacturing processes or systems. They use project management and continuous improvement techniques. They also address the environmental impact of flight by adopting latest technologies. They are typically office-based. They may be required to work in production facilities and test facilities. They may also work in hangars or outdoors on the aircraft or ground equipment. They may be required to support customers in the UK and worldwide. Depending on the product, they may be required to work in confined spaces and at height. Depending on the nature of the work, they may be required to work shift patterns.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues across the organisation. For example manufacturing, project management, finance, human resources and procurement. They may also interact with customers, other specialist engineers, technicians, partners and suppliers. They will also work with different levels of engineers across multiple engineering disciplines. Depending on the organisation, they typically report to Senior Engineers, Senior Specialists or Chief Engineers.
An employee in this occupation is responsible for working ethically and professionally. Aerospace engineers work to Civil and Military Aviation regulatory requirements. They must meet statutory and company regulations, taking responsibility for health and safety. They also take responsibility for environmental and sustainablity regulations, cost, quality, accuracy and efficiency. They must proactively find solutions to problems and identify areas for business improvement. Aerospace engineers work individually and as part of a team. Depending on the size and structure of the organisation they may manage technicians or teams of engineers.
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved academic qualifications of 96* UCAS points or above at A-Level standard or equivalent, to include two STEM based subject such as Maths, Physics, ICT, Computing, Electronics. Plus Five GCSEs at Grade 4 and above** including Mathematics, English and Double Science or equivalent qualification. (*Equal to 240 UCAS points. Prior to 2017,**equal to Grades C and above).
| Duty | KSBs |
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Duty 1 Plan, lead and support the delivery of aerospace projects ensuring integration with key stakeholders, company objectives and strategies. |
K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 |
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Duty 2 Communicate key performance indicators, progress, risks and issues at all levels of the business, throughout the product lifecycle and through design reviews and technical reports. |
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Duty 3 Identify, evaluate, derive and maintain technical requirements for aerospace projects in line with regulatory and certification requirements. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 |
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Duty 4 Design or redesign aerospace products, systems and services to fulfil defined project requirements. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K19 K25 K26 K28 K29 K31 K32 |
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Duty 5 Generate, utilise, validate and verify technical analyses models and simulations to predict the performance of aerospace products and systems. |
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Duty 6 Oversee and project manage the production of prototype systems and components to validate and verify functionality and performance of aerospace products. |
K7 K14 K16 K17 K18 K20 K21 K24 K25 K26 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 |
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Duty 7 Develop, define, execute testing of aerospace products or systems for certification and stakeholder acceptance. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K14 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K24 K28 K29 K31 K32 |
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Duty 8 Analyse test and in-service data to review the suitability and performance of aerospace products and systems, utilising data analytics techniques. |
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Duty 9 Verify that aerospace processes, products and systems comply with local, national and international regulatory, legislative, customer and company standards throughout the life cycle. For example, quality, environmental, anti-bribery and corruption, Official Secrets Act, export control, health and safety standards. |
K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K17 K20 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 |
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Duty 10 Review performance of aerospace products, processes and systems, assess the cause of any faults or problems and propose modifications. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 |
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Duty 11 Implement and coordinate the continuous improvement of aerospace products, processes and systems. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 |
K1: Mathematics: the mathematical techniques and analytical methods required to model mechanical and electrical systems: algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, statistics.
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K2: Aeronautical engineering design: the creative design process including defining the problem, creating and evaluating ideas to select the design solution for a given aerospace engineering application and environment.
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K3: Testing the engineering solution: the tools to support the process such as root cause analysis; requirements definition; simulation; production drawings; design for manufacture, cost and maintenance.
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K4: Systems engineering: the system lifecycle from concept to disposal; requirements validation and verification; architecture definition, sub-system design and testing; integration; design for support and maintenance; functional safety, cyber vulnerability, data acquisition and secure data handling.
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K5: Mechanical engineering: theory, design and application of mechanical equipment and systems, and the fundamental laws and theorems that govern them; including force and moment systems, free body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, beam theory, hydrostatics, kinematics, Work-Energy and Impulse-Momentum methods, vector algebra, scalar and graphical approaches.
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K6: Aircraft structural engineering: analysis and modelling for the determination of the effects of loads on physical structures, mechanisms, and their associated components: static and fatigue stress, structural failure modes, safe-life and fail-safe design, Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
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K7: Materials: the main classes of engineering materials and their associated mechanical, electrical and environmental properties. Techniques for selecting materials to achieve manufacturing and design requirements.
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K8: Thermodynamics: core thermodynamic concepts, system types and the application to engineering systems: basic power cycles and their thermodynamic analysis.
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K9: Electrical and electronic engineering: theory, design and application of equipment and systems which use electricity and electromagnetism, and the fundamental laws and theorems that govern electrical and electronic systems; alternating current and direct current (AC/DC), circuit design, transformers, motors, drives, analogue and digital.
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K10: Aircraft stability and control: theoretical and practical aspects and principles of aircraft flight and performance.
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K11: Aircraft systems: mechanical and electrical flight control systems, sensors, power generation and transmission, flying control surfaces, avionics, fuel, landing systems.
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K12: Software engineering: principles of how to create and use computer programming applied to engineering systems, including real-time applications.
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K13: Data analytics: data handling considerations (data protection and encryption), introduction to machine learning and Artificial Intelligence.
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K14: Manufacturing: techniques for producing finished products efficiently and sustainably; common methods and models for the manufacturing process, Additive Manufacturing, composites and advanced metallic materials.
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K15: Industry 4.0: impacts on organisations, integration of automation, digital systems and manufacturing engineering systems.
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K16: Project management for aerospace activities: project planning, management of risks, commercial awareness, financial management and resourcing.
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K17: Principles of quality control and quality assurance techniques in an aerospace environment.
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K18: Continuous improvement methodologies.
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K19: Problem solving tools and techniques.
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K20: National and international safety requirements: statutory, regulatory, organisational and certification principles in an aerospace environment.
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K21: Computer-aided design: 2D and 3D CAD using software packages.
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K22: Aerodynamics: high and low speed aerodynamic techniques, laminar and turbulent flow, boundary conditions, drag and friction, compressible flow and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
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K23: Fluid dynamics: different fluid flow types and the application to turbo machinery, hydraulics, pneumatics and liquid fuel: laminar and turbulent flow, boundary conditions, drag and friction, compressible flow and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
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K24: Environment and sustainability: end to end value chain for sustainable products; Hydrogen, SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuels) and electrification. Avoidance, use and disposal of harmful materials according to appropriate environmental regulations.
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K25: Teamwork and leadership: negotiation techniques, conflict management, people development techniques, performance management, diversity and inclusivity.
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K26: Information technology: digital tools for engineering activities, configuration management, research and analysis.
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K27: Information technology: digital tools for presentation of data, digital communication and collaboration packages.
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K28: Communication techniques: verbal and written.
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K29: Report writing techniques and methods.
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K30: Presentation techniques.
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K31: Time management techniques.
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K32: International standards for engineering representations, drawings, and graphical information.
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S1: Communicate with stakeholders: verbal and written.
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S2: Write reports: data, technical information, drawings, outcomes and recommendations
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S3: Present information. For example, presenting project progress and key performance information (KPI's) such as cost, quality, time, risk and opportunities. Presenting technical results or trade studies into design reviews.
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S4: Use information technology: digital tools for presentation of data, digital communication and collaboration packages.
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S5: Use information technology: digital tools for engineering activities, configuration management, research and analysis. For example, exploiting data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
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S6: Use problem solving tools and techniques, for example: Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone and Practical Problem Solving (PPS).
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S7: Use continuous improvement methodologies. For example, Kaizen, Lean manufacturing and Kanban.
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S8: Produce and review design solutions, drawings, sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
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S9: Model real-world systems and products using, for example Computer Aided Modelling (CAM), Finite Element Modelling (FEM), Model Based System Engineering (MBSE).
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S10: Assess different designs to identify solutions for a given aerospace engineering application and environment.
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S11: Produce systems solutions considering integrated structural engineering designs.
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S12: Develop and execute test plans to support aerospace product validation and approval.
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S13: Design functional aerospace systems and assemblies from component level. For example, designing elements of a landing gear to produce a complete landing system.
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S14: Apply project management techniques. For example, estimating, programming, risk, cost and budget control, time management and resource management.
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S15: Identify and comply with legal and statutory requirements. For example, health and safety, environmental protection, sustainability, aerospace certification requirements and data protection.
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S16: Plan and manage own time.
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S17: Work with and lead others including, negotiation, conflict management and developing others.
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B1: Lead by example to promote health and safety.
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B2: Lead by example and promote environment, ethical and sustainable practices.
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B3: Adapt to challenging or changing situations and be resilient to the effects.
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B4: Collaborate and promote teamwork across disciplines.
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B5: Lead by example to promote accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
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B6: Commits to their own and others' professional development.
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English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard partially aligns with the following professional recognition:
Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) for Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
This apprenticeship standard aligns with the Engineering Council’s learning outcomes, indicated in ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ (AHEP) and the competence framework detailed in UK-SPEC for Incorporated Engineer (IEng). The experience gained and responsibility held by the apprentice on completion of the apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.
Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) for Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
This apprenticeship standard aligns with the Engineering Council’s learning outcomes, indicated in ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ (AHEP) and the competence framework detailed in UK-SPEC for Incorporated Engineer (IEng). The experience gained and responsibility held by the apprentice on completion of the apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
This apprenticeship standard aligns with the Engineering Council’s learning outcomes, indicated in ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ (AHEP) and the competence framework detailed in UK-SPEC for Incorporated Engineer (IEng). The experience gained and responsibility held by the apprentice on completion of the apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.
This is a regulated occupation.
Civil Aviation Authority
Training Provider does not require approval by regulator body
EPAO does not require approval by regulator body
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