Design and develop the cutting-edge technologies that power our space missions. From launch vehicles to satellites, aerospace engineers are at the heart of the UK's space sector.
Aerospace engineers in the UK space sector are responsible for designing, developing, and testing the technologies that enable us to explore and utilise space. Whether you're working on launch vehicles, satellites, or space stations, your role is crucial in advancing our understanding of the cosmos and developing practical applications for Earth observation, communication, and navigation. Companies ranging from established aerospace giants to innovative scaleups rely on aerospace engineers to bring their ambitious projects to life.
A typical week for an aerospace engineer is a mix of design work, testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Based on advertised midpoints across the 16 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.
% of 18 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.
A typical UK progression for aerospace engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.
Assist in the design and testing of aerospace systems, working under the guidance of more experienced engineers.
Take ownership of specific subsystems or components, leading design and testing efforts within a project.
Lead major projects, manage teams, and provide technical expertise across multiple areas of aerospace engineering.
Serve as a technical authority, driving innovation and strategic direction for complex aerospace programmes.
There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.
Start your career with hands-on experience in design and testing, learning from experienced mentors.
Develop expertise in a specific area of aerospace engineering, such as propulsion or structural analysis.
Take on leadership roles, managing teams and overseeing the development of aerospace systems.
Become a recognised expert, providing strategic guidance and driving innovation in the field.
Move into senior management, shaping the direction of the company and the industry.
Expert Employment Aylesbury £40,000 – £45,000 pa
Design and improve production tooling and fixtures for a specialist aerospace and engineering environment. Use CAD (Creo) to create detailed engineering drawings, develop prototypes, test and validate new tooling, and troubleshoot issues. Work closely with manufacturing and process engineers to improve production quality, efficiency and costs while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
Strongfield Shanghai, China
This role involves leading the design and development of composite wing box structures for a new civil aircraft program. The engineer will conduct in-depth research on structural components and drive product development within a supportive, internationally integrated aerospace team. The position emphasizes technical leadership and innovation in composite design while offering a balanced lifestyle in Shanghai with opportunities for regional exploration.
Copello Bristol £40,000 – £75,000 pa
Hands-on structural analysis role covering static strength analysis of metallic and composite aerospace structures across Defence, Security and Space. You will build and post-process FEA models in Nastran, ANSYS and Altair, analyse components and full-airframe load cases, produce stress reports and support structural testing, working with design, manufacturing, test teams, customers and suppliers.
Ernest Gordon Recruitment Keighley £55,000 – £65,000 pa
Design and develop machine tool systems, producing 3D models in Siemens NX for high-precision components used in aerospace and defence projects, including work for NASA and SpaceX. The role involves design and risk reviews for new projects, compiling and issuing BOMs, and supporting engineers on the shop floor, with training provided on new CAD packages.
Ernest Gordon Recruitment Bradford £55,000 – £65,000 pa
Design and develop machine tool systems for a specialist grinding machinery manufacturer supplying aerospace and defence clients, including NASA and SpaceX. Day-to-day work centres on 3D modelling in Siemens NX, creating high-precision components, compiling and issuing BOMs, and running design and risk reviews for new projects while supporting shop-floor engineers.
Aeropeople Limited Gloucester £30 – £45 ph
Own the quality management system for a manufacturer of lightweight structures, writing procedures, running internal and supplier audits, producing FAIR/ISIR reports and driving root-cause corrective actions. Analyse defect and returns data to prioritise continuous improvement, train production staff and feed quality learnings back into design and manufacturing as the factory scales.
Candour Talent Ltd Newport
Defines and implements manufacturing and assembly processes for aerospace electronics, preparing manufacturing instructions, managing ECNs and NPI introductions, and liaising with tooling suppliers. Drives continuous improvement using LEAN, 5S and PFMEA, monitors yields, performs root cause analysis and supports production, audits and preventative maintenance.
The locations with the most live listings for this role today.
Aerospace engineers work on a wide range of projects, including designing and testing spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and space stations. They also develop technologies for Earth observation, communication, and navigation systems.
Essential skills include strong mathematical and analytical abilities, proficiency in CAD software, and a deep understanding of aerodynamics, materials science, and systems engineering. Effective communication and teamwork are also crucial.
Working hours can vary, but aerospace engineers often work standard office hours. However, project deadlines and testing phases may require occasional overtime or flexible scheduling.
Career progression typically starts with entry-level roles, moves through specialisation and project leadership, and culminates in technical authority and strategic management positions. Each step involves increasing responsibility and expertise.
Salary ranges can vary based on experience, location, and specific role. For detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.
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