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Apprenticeship training course

Aerospace engineer (level 6)

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Information about Aerospace engineer (level 6)

Creating aircraft components and equipment, specialising in a specific engineering discipline (for example - airframe, design and stress, systems integration, support engineering or manufacturing engineering).

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Mathematics: the mathematical techniques and analytical methods required to model mechanical and electrical systems: algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, statistics.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Thermodynamics: core thermodynamic concepts, system types and the application to engineering systems: basic power cycles and their thermodynamic analysis.
  • 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.
  • Aircraft stability and control: theoretical and practical aspects and principles of aircraft flight and performance.
  • Aircraft systems: mechanical and electrical flight control systems, sensors, power generation and transmission, flying control surfaces, avionics, fuel, landing systems.
  • Software engineering: principles of how to create and use computer programming applied to engineering systems, including real-time applications.
  • Data analytics: data handling considerations (data protection and encryption), introduction to machine learning and Artificial Intelligence.
  • Manufacturing: techniques for producing finished products efficiently and sustainably; common methods and models for the manufacturing process, Additive Manufacturing, composites and advanced metallic materials.
  • Industry 4.0: impacts on organisations, integration of automation, digital systems and manufacturing engineering systems.
  • Project management for aerospace activities: project planning, management of risks, commercial awareness, financial management and resourcing.
  • Principles of quality control and quality assurance techniques in an aerospace environment.
  • Continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Problem solving tools and techniques.
  • National and international safety requirements: statutory, regulatory, organisational and certification principles in an aerospace environment.
  • Computer-aided design: 2D and 3D CAD using software packages.
  • Aerodynamics: high and low speed aerodynamic techniques, laminar and turbulent flow, boundary conditions, drag and friction, compressible flow and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Teamwork and leadership: negotiation techniques, conflict management, people development techniques, performance management, diversity and inclusivity.
  • Information technology: digital tools for engineering activities, configuration management, research and analysis.
  • Information technology: digital tools for presentation of data, digital communication and collaboration packages.
  • Communication techniques: verbal and written.
  • Report writing techniques and methods.
  • Presentation techniques.
  • Time management techniques.
  • International standards for engineering representations, drawings, and graphical information.

Skills

  • Communicate with stakeholders: verbal and written.
  • Write reports: data, technical information, drawings, outcomes and recommendations
  • 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.
  • Use information technology: digital tools for presentation of data, digital communication and collaboration packages.
  • Use information technology: digital tools for engineering activities, configuration management, research and analysis. For example, exploiting data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
  • Use problem solving tools and techniques, for example: Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone and Practical Problem Solving (PPS).
  • Use continuous improvement methodologies. For example, Kaizen, Lean manufacturing and Kanban.
  • Produce and review design solutions, drawings, sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
  • Model real-world systems and products using, for example Computer Aided Modelling (CAM), Finite Element Modelling (FEM), Model Based System Engineering (MBSE).
  • Assess different designs to identify solutions for a given aerospace engineering application and environment.
  • Produce systems solutions considering integrated structural engineering designs.
  • Develop and execute test plans to support aerospace product validation and approval.
  • Design functional aerospace systems and assemblies from component level. For example, designing elements of a landing gear to produce a complete landing system.
  • Apply project management techniques. For example, estimating, programming, risk, cost and budget control, time management and resource management.
  • Identify and comply with legal and statutory requirements. For example, health and safety, environmental protection, sustainability, aerospace certification requirements and data protection.
  • Plan and manage own time.
  • Work with and lead others including, negotiation, conflict management and developing others.

Behaviours

  • Lead by example to promote health and safety.
  • Lead by example and promote environment, ethical and sustainable practices.
  • Adapt to challenging or changing situations and be resilient to the effects.
  • Collaborate and promote teamwork across disciplines.
  • Lead by example to promote accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
  • Commits to their own and others' professional development.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Engineering and manufacturing
Qualification level
6
Equal to degree
Course duration
48 months
Funding
£27,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Aerodynamics engineer
  • Aerospace design engineer
  • Aerospace manufacturing engineer
  • Aerospace materials engineer
  • Aerospace research & development engineer
  • Aerospace support engineer
  • Aerospace test engineer
  • Aircraft integration engineer
  • Aircraft systems engineer
  • Airframe structures engineer
  • Airworthiness engineer

View more information about Aerospace engineer (level 6) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.