Aerospace Engineering Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope

Updated on Feb 25, 2025 02:25 IST
Vidhi Jain

Vidhi JainContent Writer

To put it concisely, Aerospace, defense, airlines, civil aviation, automobiles, manufacturing, research and development, academia, etc, are some of the areas where you can aspire to work after the completion of a course in this specialization. Some of the top recruiters include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mahindra Aerospace, Boeing, ISRO, DRDO, BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., Air India, etc.

Relevant Link for Aerospace Engineering Jobs in India:

Why Engineering is Still a Highly Paid Career Stream?

Aerospace Engineering Jobs in India: Top Profiles

Aerospace Engineering courses after Class 12 can lead to a lot of exciting work opportunities for students in various sectors. They can work with government research organizations, airline companies, multinational aircraft manufacturing companies, the Indian Air Force, space agencies, aeronautical laboratories, and so much more. Some of the most popular Aerospace Engineering jobs for freshers are given in the table below along with the average annual salary packages:

Aerospace Engineering Jobs in India

Average Aerospace Engineering Jobs Salary

Aerospace Engineers

INR 12.2 LPA

Aeronautical Engineers

INR 10.5 LPA

Aircraft Engineers

INR 12 LPA

Propulsion Systems Engineers

INR 7.8 LPA

Aerodynamics Engineers

INR 9.5 LPA

Spacecraft Maintenance Engineers

INR 6 LPA

Flight Test Engineers

INR 6 LPA

Thermodynamics Engineers

INR 7 LPA

Source: Ambitionbox.com.

Useful Link for Aerospace Engineering Jobs:

Aeronautical Engineering Jobs in India

Emerging Trends in Aerospace Engineering Jobs in India

Some popular trends in Aerospace Engineering jobs are mentioned below:

  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel: The aerospace industry is making strong moves when it comes to cutting down the carbon footprint and using biofuels for aerospace operational activities. A few research reports reveal that the global sustainable aviation fuel market will reach 16.8 billion US dollars in the next 5 years with a 47.7% CAGR.
  • Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace: This emerging trend of additive manufacturing deals with the use of metal 3D-printing techniques for making stronger and more durable alternatives to the aviation equipment and machines, leading to cost reduction and enhanced efficiency.
  • Autonomous Flight Systems: Autonomous ground vehicles and drones are already popular in existence; however, the aerospace industry is also involved in research and taking small steps towards single-pilot commercial aircraft and even pilotless aircraft led by automated systems and AI technology. This trend might take some time to come in full swing but will do wonders in the aerospace sector.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): The IoT technology helps in the analysis of large amount of data useful for predictive maintenance like identifying aerospace component failures before they actually happen and making timely fixes ensuring passenger safety at all times.
  • Electric Propulsion: This leads to a quieter aircraft takeoff and landing with less emissions and reduced costs. Electric propulsion systems also facilitate improvement in the design of aircraft and spacecraft vehicles.

Useful Links for Aerospace Engineering Jobs in India:

Engineering Jobs and Career Scope in India

Jobs after BTech Degree

Aerospace Engineering Jobs in India: Scope, Salary and Further Education

Aerospace Engineering courses after 12th open doors for a plethora of career options to explore in different work sectors such as aerospace and defense, manufacturing, civil aviation, airlines, academia, research and development, etc. The overall career scope of the course is extremely diverse and promising with endless opportunities for growth and skill enhancement. Students can either pursue higher education after their UG-level Aerospace Engineering courses or look for a job in the corporate world.

Courses after Graduation in Aerospace Engineering

Students in India with an Aerospace Engineering degree or even a well-settled job have a lot of options to advance their professional career and areas of expertise. Following are some of the course options, they may choose after completing B.E/ BTech Aerospace Engineering:

  • M.E/ MS/ M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering
  • M.Tech + PhD in Aerospace Engineering
  • Advanced-level Certificate Courses in Aerodynamics, Aerospace Structures, and Avionics

Information source: multiple sites on web (may vary)

Aerospace Engineering Jobs: Core Industries & Top Recruiters

A well-established Aerospace Engineering career path in India can be achieved with the help of laboratory work, industrial visits, and internships that together provide hands-on experience. After graduation, students can apply for jobs in various work sectors. A list of the core recruiting industries along with the top companies, is given below for reference:

Core Industries for Aerospace Engineering Graduates
Government and Defense Academia
Civil Aviation Space Agencies
Automotive and Manufacturing Research and Development
Private Airline Companies Aeronautical Laboratories

Various recruiters hire Aerospace Engineering graduates through placement drives hosted at prestigious engineering universities, as well as through specific walk-ins. The recruiters listed below are given according to the core industry that they belong to:

Government & Defense

ISRO

DRDO

HAL

GTRE 

Civil Aviation

Airports Authority of India (AAI)

DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)

 Air India

Indian Airlines

Aerospace & Defense

Tata Advanced Systems

 Mahindra Aerospace

 Taneja Aerospace

Reliance Aerospace

Automotive & Manufacturing

Tata Motors

Mahindra & Mahindra

Ashok Leyland

Larsen & Toubro

IT & Consulting

TCS 

Infosys

Wipro

HCL Technologies

Airlines & MRO

Indigo Airlines

SpiceJet

Air India Express

MRO service providers

Information source: multiple sites on web (may vary)

Aerospace Engineering Jobs: Best Colleges for Placements in India

The popular colleges for Aerospace Engineering include the top IITs and NITs which are considered as temples of technical education and are popular due to its industrial tie-ups and good placement opportunities. The colleges along with their average placement packages are as follows:

Aerospace Engineering Colleges Average Package Offered
IIT Bombay - Indian Institute of Technology Placements INR 17.92 LPA
IIT Hyderabad - Indian Institute of Technology Placements INR 15 LPA - 21.8 LPA
IIT Kharagpur - Indian Institute of Technology Placements INR 21.28 LPA
IIT Madras - Indian Institute of Technology Placements INR 12 LPA - 17.5 LPA
SRM Institute of Science and Technology Placements INR 6.1 LPA
Lovely Professional University Placements INR 7.07 LPA - 8.1 LPA
SASTRA University Placements INR 5.5 LPA - 7.6 LPA
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra Placements INR 9 LPA
Graphic Era Deemed to be University Placements INR 7.25 LPA

Information source: Official website of the institute, and may vary.

Helpful Links for Aerospace Engineering Jobs for Freshers:

IIT Placements – Know Highest Salary Package & Placement Process

NIT Placements – Know Highest Salary Package & Placement Process

Aerospace Engineering Jobs FAQs

Q. What are the career opportunities for BTech Aerospace Engineering graduates in India?

A. BTech Aerospace Engineering course opens doors for exciting career profiles in a variety of industrial fields and work with several recruiters such as airline companies, government research organizations, multinational aircraft manufacturing companies, the Indian Air Force, aeronautical laboratories, space agencies, etc. You can also enter the civil aviation industry, information technology and consulting, and automotive industries.

You can work as Aerospace Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Aviation Engineer, Propulsion Systems Engineer, Aerodynamics Engineer, Spacecraft Maintenance Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, etc., and many more profiles. The average BTech Aerospace Engineering salary is also quite decent for recent graduates, between INR 8 LPA and INR 10 LPA.

Q. Can I join ISRO after doing Aerospace Engineering?

A. For joining ISRO, students have to qualify the exam which is conducted every year. The recruitment for aerospace engineers in ISRO is also through entrance test. Candidates need to score good marks in order to clear the prestigious and competitive exam and work with the ISRO. The recruitment exam for ISRO is highly competitive and they attract the best minds from the country for their aerospace engineering team. Candidates must also have relevant years of experience and demonstrate skills which are required for the job profile.

Q. What are the top Aerospace Engineering colleges in India with good placements?

A. The table below shows the top Aerospace Engineering colleges in India and their average placement packages -

Top Colleges

Average Placement Package

IIT Bombay

18 LPA

IIT Madras

12 LPA – 18 LPA

IIT Hyderabad

17 LPA – 21 LPA

IIT Kanpur

15 LPA – 23 LPA

Q. What are the top recruiters offering Aerospace Engineering jobs in India?

A. Some of the top recruiters for Aerospace Engineering graduates in India that offer handsome salary packages to students are given below:

  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
  • Boeing
  • ISRO
  • DRDO
  • Mahindra Aerospace
  • Airports Authority of India
  • National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)
  • Tata Advanced Systems Limited
  • Air India

Q. What are the skills required for Aerospace Engineering jobs in India?

A. The skillset required for pursuing Aerospace Engineering are given as follows:

Required Skill Set For Aerospace Engineering  

Excellent academic background in Science stream 

Strong analytical and mathematical skills 

Creativity and innovativeness in product designing 

Eye for detail 

Ability to work under pressure and for long hours 

Scientific acumen 

Physical stamina 

Ability to work in a team and be able to lead a team 

Q. Shall I pursue MTech in Aerospace Engineering after completing graduation or should I apply for a job?

A. Well, that is completely your choice. If you feel that you want to get into the research zone where you get exposed to advanced concepts about aircraft, aerodynamics, avionics and other advanced software technology, you must go for a postgraduate degree in this field. But, if you are satisfied with the knowledge gained in your bachelor's degree, you can enter into the job market that will welcome you with open arms and excellent salary packages and other benefits. The demand for engineers in the aircraft and aerospace industry is very high because of the rising air passenger traffic nowadays, which has made airline companies demand more airplanes.

So, there is absolutely no need to worry about good opportunities, as they will be available to you both after graduation as well as post-graduation. The decision depends solely on your interests and plans.

Table of content
  • Popular Aerospace Engineering Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Aerospace Engineering Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Aerospace Engineering UG Courses
  • Popular Aerospace Engineering PG Courses

Popular Aerospace Engineering Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Aerospace Engineering Colleges in India. Learn more about these Aerospace Engineering colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
6 Courses
2.71 L - 10 L
17.92 LPA

#1 India Today

2 Courses
3.2 L - 16 L
3.0
1 Course
16 L
3.5
3 L - 11.2 L
7.07 - 8.1 LPA

Aerospace Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
2.16 L
9.69 LPA
2.99 L - 13.35 L
8 LPA

Popular Private Aerospace Engineering Colleges in India

6 L - 16.51 L
3.5
3.3
7.55 - 7.78 LPA

Aerospace Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

3 L - 11.2 L

Aerospace Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

3 L - 11.2 L
7.07 - 8.1 LPA

Aerospace Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

9.2 L
4.0

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Aerospace Engineering. Students interested in pursuing a career on Aerospace Engineering, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Oct '25 - Nov '25

JEE Main 2026 Registration Session 1

TENTATIVE

Jan '26

JEE Main Admit Card 2025 Session 1

TENTATIVE

Dec '25 - Feb '26

MHT CET 2026 Application Form

TENTATIVE

Apr '26

MHT CET 2026 Admit Card

TENTATIVE

Mar '26 - Apr '26

AP EAMCET 2026 Application Form Dates

TENTATIVE

May '26

AP EAMCET 2026 Application form last date with la...

TENTATIVE

Popular Aerospace Engineering UG Courses

Following are the most popular Aerospace Engineering UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Aerospace Engineering PG Courses

Following are the most popular Aerospace Engineering PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Answered 2 weeks ago

The first semester of the B.E. Aerospace Engineering programme at Chandigarh University is scheduled to commence on 1st August 2025, as per the university's academic calendar for the session July–December 2025. The university will also conduct Orientation and Induction Programs for all undergraduate

...Read more

D

Dheeraj Goswami

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Hey!?

Yes, coding and computer programming are becoming really important in Aerospace Engineering. Even though aerospace involves designing aircraft, rockets, and spacecraft, a lot of modern work relies on simulation, data analysis, and automation, which all need programming. Languages like Python,

...Read more

A

Aniket Pisal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a month ago

What the Data says in Aerospace / Related Branches at CU.

Placement Rate & Recruiters

Chandigarh University boasted of 50 plus companies in Mechanical, Automobile and Aerospace Engineering in the placement drive of batches 202425.


It also reports that more than 94 percent of students in these branches

...Read more

A

Antu Kaibartya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Aerospace Engineering programme layout has designs to ensure career growth. The career planning process is pursued with proper resume preparation and skill up-gradation support and mock interviews set up under the guidance of mentors. They are also made to understand how a higher platform could

...Read more

96376916
R Verma

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a month ago

Aerospace engineering at Chandigarh University offers subjects in aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft design among others. Students are taught in well-equipped labs like flight simulator, aeromodelling lab, propulsion lab while there is also provision made in observatory study of the sky. The program

...Read more

I

Itti Dogra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Chandigarh University allows first-year aerospace students to pick open elective subjects to enhance learning beyond the core aerospace curriculum. Electives typically include programming fundamentals, engineering drawing, basic robotics, environmental studies, and innovation-focused courses.

These c

...Read more

J

Jas

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a month ago

Joining Chandigarh University for aerospace engineering is feasible and well-supported with resources. The programme is designed to prepare students for careers in aviation and space sectors, combining classroom learning with laboratory practice. Labs for propulsion, aerodynamics, and aircraft maint

...Read more

A

Anju cskhpkv

Beginner-Level 3

Answered a month ago

Aerospace Engineering is worth accomplishing. Customized labs have been provided by the university. Quite practical everywhere, actually. Flight Simulation Lab is a lab well-equipped with systems controlling high-tech operations along with a Wind Tunnel Lab, which is at the same time an ideal testin

...Read more

R

Ritin Kansal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Placements for Aerospace Engineering at Chandigarh University are impressive and growing steadily. The university offers students opportunities in top aerospace and defense organizations, including Quest Global, Accenture, Astroport, Tata Advanced Systems, and international firms like Robotics Aviat

...Read more

M

Manvi Adlakha

Beginner-Level 3

Answered a month ago

Here are some good books for GATE AE that candidates can refer for preparation and revision -

  • Fundamentals of Aerodynamics by JD Anderson
  • Aircraft by GM Sutton and Oscar Biblarz
  • Airplane Performance, Stability, and Control by Perkins and Hage
  • Aerodynamics of Engineering Students by E.L Houghton, P.W Car

...Read more

T

Taru Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The GATE 2025 cutoff for Aerospace Engineering (category-wise) can be checked below -

  • General category - 28.9
  • OBC-NCL or EWS category - 26
  • SC/ST category - 19.2

Out of 7576 candidates, 6009 applicants appeared for the exam. Candidates must note that the GATE cutoff varies every year depending on certai

...Read more

S

Sumridhi Sinha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Balamurugan was the GATE 2025 topper in the Aerospace Engineering branch/discipline scoring 81 marks out of 100 (with a GATE score of 990 out of 1000). Last year, 7576 candidates registered for the GATE AE paper, out of which 6009 candidates appeared for the exam. 

A

Aishwarya Uniyal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Chandigarh University (CU) has very good placement claims for its Aerospace Engineering branch with a claim of 100% placements with companies such as Tata Advanced Systems, DRDO, ISRO, HAL, and Boeing coming to the campus. Some portals mention a 20% placement rate for Aerospace Engineering with a th

...Read more

B

Baali Pandit

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a month ago

Yeah, why not, as far as I know, aerospace at Chandigarh University is really a great program. From labs, infrastructure to facilities at the department, everything is top. The various organizations such as ISRO, DRDO, HAL, HDFC, and other private aviation corporations come to the university to hire

...Read more

G

GAGANDEEP ROOP RAI

Beginner-Level 3

Answered a month ago

Since Aerospace Engineering is a specialised branch of Mechanical Engineering, you will find various mechanical subjects and principles like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials Science and mechanical design as part of the Aerospace Engineering coursework that form a strong base for the field.

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Aerospace Engineering is an evolving field with technological innovations happening every other day and new growth opportunities emerging for one to dive into. Some evolving research areas for future growth include electric and hybrid propulsion, hydrogen powered aircraft, drones and AI powered appl

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Of course, yes. Aerospace engineers are primarily responsible for designing, building and testing spacecraft and satellites and making sure they can operate successfully in space conditions. The job responsibilities include structural design, avionics and systems, mission analysis and propulsion sys

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

You can refer to various Aerospace Engineering books penned by renowned scholars to understand the complex concepts of the field. Here are a few books for beginners-

  • Dynamics of Flight: Stability and Control by Bernard Etkin and Lloyd E. Reid
  • Introduction to Avionics Systems by RPG Collinson
  • Introducti

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Aerospace Engineering subjects taught in the classroom differ on the basis of the course level and the college offering the program. There are core subjects, elective modules, lab classes, and project work. Some general core Aerospace Engineering subjects covered in classes are given here –

  • Aero

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Aerospace Engineering salary in India is affected by various factors like your academic records, skill set, work experience, job profile, recruiter and the company location. For freshers straight out of college the starting salary is somewhere around INR 4 LPA to INR 8 LPA. For mid level roles w

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Hindustan Aerospace and Engineering, Sha- Shib Group of Institutions offers students the popular programme of MBA in various relevant specialisations. The total tuition fees for the course is INR 3.9 L. The various Hindustan Aerospace and Engineering Certificate specialisations are mentioned below:

  1. C

...Read more

A

Ashwin Yadav

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Almost all of the colleges offering BTech Aerospace Engineering follow a balanced approach where the theory-based subjects are assessed through semester exams that are conducted after every 6 months, along with individual and group research projects and class assignments. The division may vary with

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes. It is a mix of internships, project work and practical training so that you can get knowledge of the aerospace field, learn new skills and sharpen your problem solving abilities. You can also join small or large projects to get familiar with the work environment and expectations in aerospace co

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

You can surely get admission to the BTech Aerospace Engineering course without giving the entrance exam but it depends on the college you're targeting. While top colleges like the IITs and some other private colleges strictly ask for valid entrance exam scores, there are around 30 colleges that cons

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

You have both options available depending on the particular college you wish to apply to. Most of the top BTech Aerospace Engineering colleges release the application forms in the online mode on their university/college portal, which allows you to fill out the forms from the comfort of your homes.

Ha

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Internships and practical experience are very important to enjoy a successful career after BTech Aerospace Engineering because they help you apply classroom learning to real world scenarios and give you an idea of the aerospace industry.

Internships on your resume give you access to better earning op

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

AI and automation will have a considerable impact on the aerospace job market where some roles related to routine manufacturing and data entry would be replaced by automation, and some new roles like AI specialist and AI Ethicist would emerge that will require you to upskill yourself and learn new s

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes. Though the BTech Aerospace Engineering curriculum at top institutions is framed in a manner to give you the best possible learning experience, knowledge, and skill set, additional certifications serve as the cherry on top. Certificates are synonymous with better earning opportunities, professio

...Read more

V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The University of Colorado Boulder offers an MS programme in Aerospace Engineering and Sciences that offers thesis and non-thesis tracks. The programme focuses on core subjects like Asterodynamics & Satellite Navigation, Autonomous systems, bioastronautics, structures/materials etc. This programme i

...Read more

S

Shreya Basu

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Hi, the top entrance exams for admission to best B.Tech Aerospace Engineering colleges in India are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET, COMEDK UGET, etc.

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10