Aerospace engineers design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. They work on structures, propulsion, controls and safety, using simulation software and physical tests. AI tools can speed up simulation and design exploration. Deciding what is safe to fly, and signing off on it, stays with engineers.
The short answer: low exposure and strong growth. The ILO's 2025 index rates mechanical engineers, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.32. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,800 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed aerospace engineers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineers | Not exposed | 0.32 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for aerospace engineers, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineers | Grow 8% | About 3,800 |
The BLS points to aircraft being redesigned for less noise and better fuel efficiency, lower satellite launch costs, wider access to space through small satellites, and continued interest in drones for uses such as forest fire detection. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Running faster simulations of airflow, heat and stress.
- Suggesting lighter part shapes that meet strength targets.
- Searching requirements, test data and technical documents.
What stays with aerospace engineers
- Safety and certification: proving designs meet strict rules before they fly.
- Testing: planning and judging wind tunnel, flight and ground tests.
- Trade-offs: balancing weight, cost, performance and risk.
- Checking AI help: generated calculations and specs can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Simulation and AI-assisted design let teams explore more options faster, while testing and certification keep people firmly in charge. Growth in satellites, drones and more efficient aircraft supports demand. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace engineers?, will AI replace pilots? and will AI replace aircraft mechanics?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for aerospace engineers at $134,960 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace aerospace engineers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 8 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,800 openings a year.
How exposed are aerospace engineers to AI?
The ILO rates mechanical engineers, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.32.
What is driving demand?
The BLS points to more efficient aircraft, cheaper satellite launches, small satellites and drones.
Where does AI help aerospace engineers?
Mainly in simulation, design exploration and searching technical documents, with engineers checking results.