Aerospace engineer as software developer?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for aerospace engineers to transition into software development roles. It explores the skills and experiences that may or may not facilitate this transition, considering both educational background and personal interests.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that aerospace engineers may only be suited for software development in projects specifically related to aerospace engineering.
  • One participant shares personal experience implementing turbulence models in CFD software, indicating that while advanced programming was not part of their formal education, a strong background in mathematics and physics was beneficial.
  • Another participant argues that a typical aerospace engineering curriculum does not adequately prepare individuals for general software development, focusing instead on design aspects of aerospace systems.
  • Conversely, some participants believe that individuals with aerospace engineering backgrounds can possess the necessary skills and interests to succeed in software development, regardless of their formal training.
  • There is a viewpoint that programming skills are transferable and that learning new tools is not as significant an obstacle as suggested by others.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of aerospace engineers for software development roles. While some believe that the transition is limited to aerospace-related projects, others argue for the broader applicability of programming skills across different fields.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a variety of personal experiences and perspectives, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between educational background and career flexibility in software development.

Aeronav
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
I am new here, and i really wanted to know if an aerospace engineer (today's aerospace engineers) have the ability or the skill to work as a software developer ?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Probably only on projects involving development of aerospace engineering software. Software development these days requires a lot of skill and experience with current software development tools, which take a lot of time and practice to learn.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Aeronav
SteamKing said:
Probably only on projects involving development of aerospace engineering software. Software development these days requires a lot of skill and experience with current software development tools, which take a lot of time and practice to learn.

This is exactly what I did. I implemented turbulence models in CFD software. Programming and numerical mathematics was my hobby and I wrote my own finite element software during my masters thesis project. But advanced programming was never part of the official curriculum and I don't think that you get the necessary skills to become a good programmer by just following the curriculum. What I did get is a solid background in the mathematics and physics that I end up programming.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Aeronav
Aeronav said:
I am new here, and i really wanted to know if an aerospace engineer (today's aerospace engineers) have the ability or the skill to work as a software developer ?

Thanks

In general, the answer is probably not. In some cases, possibly. What do I mean? A course of study in aerospace engineering generally prepares you to design wings and engines and control systems and such for planes and rockets. This is oftentimes a subset of mechanical engineering. In general, that is not considered good preparation for software development.

However, individuals who studied aerospace engineering may also happen to have the proper skills and interest to be a software developer. Your capsule description of yourself indicates that may possibly include you, but I'm working with limited information here, so don't take that statement for more than it is worth. By way of example, a consultant I hired recently to do vision inspection programming has a masters in aerospace engineering. He and I were talking about how common it is for people to end up in roles are that completely unlike their degrees. It just happens.

I would tend to disagree with SteamKing that your background would limit you to aerospace software. In my opinion, programming is programming, with only a few niche specialties where that is not the case. Tools are also not so different, or so difficult to learn that I have found them a significant obstacle in practice. If you can't just "pick up" an IDE in short order, you probably will never succeed as a software developer.
 

Similar threads

Shifting from Mechanical Engineer to Aerospace Engineer
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Engineering Masters programs to work in aerospace/defense as an engineer
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
Engineering Mid career guidance as an aerospace engineer
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Aerospace and Physics double major? or Aerospace masters?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Engineering Is it possible for me to go into Aerospace Engineering at 37?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
Engineering Should I be an Aerospace engineer or an Astronomer?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Engineering Career Path: From MechE to Aerospace Engineering
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Engineering Why are aerospace engineers paid more than MechE's?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Engineering Should I major in Computer Science, Physics, or Aerospace Engineering?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
7K
What Transferable Skills Do Aerospace Engineers Bring to Other Fields?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K