Aerospace engineering

Niall459

Hi everyone I am hoping to study aerospace engineering but I'm a bit concerned about whether or not its possible to get jobs like this in Ireland. Is it hard to get a job like this in Ireland? Thanks in advance.

CatFromHue

One of the lecturers in UL contacted all past Aero Eng graduates to complete a survey.

The results should interest you
https://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Faculties/Science_%26_Engineering/Departments/Mechanical_%26_Aeronautical_Engineering/Courses/LM077/Aero_Grad_Stats

There is a pie chart with companies with more than 1 graduate that you should Google to see what they do and where they are.

There's also a break down of where in the Aero world people are working, as you can see aircraft maintenance, manufacture, and leasing take up a big chunk

artanevilla

Have a look at the new Aerospace Engineering course in IT Carlow as well. The Limerick course is essentially mechanical engineering with a few aerospace modules thrown it, whereas at Carlow it's 100% Aerospace.

No graduate surveys though as it's only been running 2 years (Although the first 3 years are the same as the Aircraft Systems course, which you might also consider.)

deaddonkey15

Do Aeronautical Engineering in UL. With respect to Carlow IT, UL is a more reputable engineering institution with strong connections to the big players in the aerospace industry.You will have to do a mandatory 8 month co-operative work placement which could potentially lead to a job upon graduation. Not every aeronautical co-op student does their placement in the aerospace industry but the University does have connections with the likes of Airbus and Bombardier. On the jobs front, apart from Bombardier you won't get a job in Ireland designing new aircraft or engines if that's what you're after. You will have to go abroad to the likes of Boeing/Airbus/Rolls Royce. Have said that there are many jobs available in aircraft maintenance and aircraft leasing companies are usually keen to take on UL's aero graduates. Granted, leasing isn't technically engineering but it's a lucrative enough industry apparently. Of course there are many other engineering jobs outside of the aerospace industry available both in Ireland and abroad also.

If what was said above about Carlow's course being 100% aerospace is true then I wouldn't be in any rush to do it. Part of being an engineer is having the ability to be flexible and to be able to apply skills gained in one area to address a problem in another. First and foremost you want to be seen as a mechanical engineer, not purely an aerospace engineer. I actually think doing the likes of biomedical and aeronautical engineering in UL could be more beneficial than doing the mechanical engineering course. You will essentially graduate as a mechanical engineer regardless, however if you are targeting the aerospace/biomedical industry for employment you may win some brownie points by having done a somewhat specialised mechanical engineering course for that area. It shows an interest in the industry from day 1 in college, not just since day 1 after graduation where you're now looking for a job.

I would think the social aspects of UL and Limerick would outweigh Carlow's also.

jamo2oo9

If you study Aerospace Engineering in Carlow, you won't get the engineering jobs in the top-tier companies like Boeing, Airbus as it's basically a course for you to become a maintenance engineer whereas if you go to UL to do Aeronautical Engineering, you will get a job with those companies as you are graduating with a degree in aeronautical engineering where you can design aircrafts. You could also become a maintenance engineer with the Aeronautical degree but you will have to sit more exams for maintenance engineers.

In year 1 of UL, you will share the same modules with Biomedical, Mechanic and Engineering Choice but once you've chosen your stream of choice; Bio, Aero or Mech, you will start studying modules related to the degree.

hughie1989

You should also look at Queens University Belfast. I did a masters there and would highly recommend it. Aerospace engineering is very much a forte up there.

artanevilla

jamo2oo9 wrote: »

If you study Aerospace Engineering in Carlow, you won't get the engineering jobs in the top-tier companies like Boeing, Airbus as it's basically a course for you to become a maintenance engineer whereas if you go to UL to do Aeronautical Engineering, you will get a job with those companies as you are graduating with a degree in aeronautical engineering where you can design aircrafts. You could also become a maintenance engineer with the Aeronautical degree but you will have to sit more exams for maintenance engineers.

In year 1 of UL, you will share the same modules with Biomedical, Mechanic and Engineering Choice but once you've chosen your stream of choice; Bio, Aero or Mech, you will start studying modules related to the degree.

The level 7 Aircraft Systems course is geared towards maintenance, the level 8 Aerospace is geared to towards design.

CompositeJohn

Graduated in 07 from UL myself and would highly recommend it. Many from the Carlow IT systems course actually transfer into the 2nd year of the UL course.

Having the first years common with Mech and Bio makes sense as the foundations are the same. The course has been updated a little since I graduated but being honest, for all but the very specialized areas of aircraft design, completing all four years in Mech would be fine. I work with many who graduated with Mechanical degrees and are every bit as competent in aircraft design as a graduate of the Aero course. Queens is also another very good option, I worked with many graduates in my time spent with Bombardier in Belfast.

As for jobs, many of my classmates went into the leasing and maintenance side of things in Ireland (and now abroad) and a couple followed the pilot route.

A number went into the Aircraft OEM route with Airbus and Bombardier. I worked for Bombardier directly after graduating, and the Belfast site is a great place to work with many varied roles. There are also many smaller companies feeding into it which you could work for.

B/E Aerospace in Kilkeel, Co. Down is another option at home where they design & manufacture premium class seating products. I currently work for B/E in the US designing A350 Galleys and am proud to say that the Kilkeel facility has a very good reputation within the company.