Spacecraft Designer
Airbus Defence

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icould and Inspiring the Future
Dervish, Mechanical Ground Support and Tooling Engineer
Airbus Defence

Time Code	Audio
00:00:07	My name is Dervish. I’m a spacecraft designer and I’m responsible for designing spacecraft parts, such as boosters, rockets, nozzles and frames.
00:00:17	My job involves creating designs and 2D drawings of aeroplanes, helicopters and spacecraft parts, using 3D CAD, which is a type of computer software.
00:00:28	One example is that I’ve designed parts for the Mars Rover, which is a robotic motor vehicle that travels across the surface of the planet Mars and collects information for us.
	EDUCATION
00:00:41	I left school with only 2 GCSEs, that was Maths and Geography. I went on to be a chef for 2 years but decided that wasn’t for me. I spoke to my father, who was an engineer in the Royal Engineers and decided to try engineering myself. So I studied a BTEC First Diploma in Engineering.
00:00:57	So I went to Kingston University and studied aerospace engineering.
	CAREER PATH
00:01:01	My first job out of university was airport engineer at Farnborough Airport. I then went on to a graduate scheme at BAe Systems.
00:01:12	I then moved on and became a quality engineer at Solidworks, a 3D CAD software company. From here I went to work for Ford Motor Company and then after leaving Ford, I’ve been at Airbus Defence and Space for the last 13 years.
	SKILLS
00:01:33	In my job it’s beneficial to have strong communication skills because I collaborate with lots of different teams across the company and create user manuals for the team that create the spacecraft parts. It is really important to have a strong level of knowledge in Maths, English and Science to carry out my role.
00:01:51	The softer skills needed are a candid attitude and an ability to react and listen to what’s going on in the office. Some teams need information really quickly, so it’s an important skill to have in the role.
	ADVICE
00:02:07	Advice I would give my younger self at the start of my career, I would say, go with your instincts, never take no as a defining no, stay in touch with people and keep your CVs up to date.
00:02:18	END OF TRANSCRIPTION

Dervish has designed parts for the Mars Rover, a robotic motor vehicle that travels across the surface of the planet Mars collecting information. He left school with two GCSEs and went on to become a chef, before deciding to study engineering.

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More information about Aerospace engineers

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£48,360

average salary

The UK average salary is £29,813

average weekly hours

There are 37.5 hours in the average working week

88% male

12% female

The UK workforce is 47% female and 53% male

Future employment

Future employment?

Description

? Aerospace engineers research develop and design aircraft, spacecraft and their components.

Qualifications

Job holders in this unit group usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field. Qualified aircraft engineers need a licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Tasks

Conceives and develops engineering designs from product ideas in aerospace engineering
Organises and plans projects, arranges work schedules, carries out inspection work and plans maintenance control
Analyses test data; undertakes research and advises on all aspects of aircraft, spacecraft and their systems
Ensures that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards
Inspects completed aircraft maintenance work to certify that it meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation

Employment by region

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Employment status