Aerospace engineering drafter

Aerospace engineering drafters convert the aerospace engineers’ designs into technical drawings usually using computer-aided design programs. Their drawings detail dimensions, fastening and assembling methods and other specifications used in the manufacture of aircrafts and spacecrafts.

Aerospace engineering drafters typically perform the following duties:

• Develop technical drawings and plans for aircraft and spacecraft components, systems, and structures using CAD software
• Interpret and incorporate engineering specifications, design layouts, and other technical information into the drawings
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and other stakeholders to ensure that the designs meet industry standards and regulatory requirements
• Review and revise drawings to correct errors and ensure accuracy and completeness of information
• Prepare documentation, such as parts lists and bill of materials, for use in manufacturing and assembly processes
• Use specialized software tools and equipment, such as computer numerical control (CNC) machines and 3D printers, to create prototypes and models of the designs
• Keep up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in aerospace engineering design and technology

The following job titles also refer to aerospace engineering drafter:

aerospace engineering draughting adviser
aerospace engineering draughting specialist
aeronautical draughter
aerospace draughtsperson
aerospace draughter
aerospace draftsperson
aerospace engineering draughting expert
aerospace engineering draughtsperson
aerospace engineering draughting consultant

Aerospace engineering drafters work in a variety of settings, including offices, manufacturing plants, and research facilities. They typically work full-time and may need to work overtime to meet project deadlines. These professionals may be required to work in a team environment, collaborating with engineers, technicians, and other stakeholders. They may also need to travel to other locations to attend meetings or visit manufacturing facilities.

To become an aerospace engineering drafter, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Employers may prefer candidates who have completed postsecondary education in drafting, engineering, or a related field. Training in CAD software is also essential. Some employers may require professional certification in drafting or engineering. Previous experience in drafting or engineering in the aerospace industry may also be beneficial.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Aerospace engineering drafter is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to aerospace engineering drafter.

automotive engineering drafter
marine engineering drafter
rolling stock engineering drafter
heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) drafter
product development engineering drafter

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aerospace engineering drafter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of aerospace engineering drafter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automotive designer
aerodynamics engineer
naval architect
tooling engineer
fluid power engineer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aerospace engineering drafter.

• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• CADD software: The computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.
• Design drawings: Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
• Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in aircrafts.
• Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• CAE software: The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
• ICT software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
• Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of aerospace engineering drafter.

• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Use computer-aided engineering systems: Use computer-aided engineering software to conduct stress analyses on engineering designs.
• Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
• Use CADD software: Use computer-aided design and drafting software to make detailed drawings and blueprints of designs.
• Create technical plans: Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.
• Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
• Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aerospace engineering drafter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Material mechanics: The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
• Stealth technology: The techniques used to make aircraft, ships, missiles and satellites less detectable to radars and sonars. This includes the design of particular shapes and the development of radar-absorbent material.
• Fluid mechanics: The characteristics and properties of fluids, including gases, liquids and plasmas, at rest and in motion, and the forces on them.
• 3D modelling: The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D printing devices.
• CAD software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
• Unmanned air systems: The systems used to remotely control unmanned aerial vehicles by onboard computers or by a pilot on the ground or in the air.
• Manual draughting techniques: Techniques used for creating detailed drawings of designs by using specialised pencils, rulers, templates and scales.
• Guidance, navigation and control: The engineering discipline that deals with the design and development of systems that can control the motion of automobiles, ships, space- and aircraft. It includes control over vehicle’s trajectory from its present location to a designated target and vehicle’s speed and altitude.
• Defense system: The various weapons and weapon systems used to protect citizens and to harm or shield incoming enemies and enemy weapons.
• Common aviation safety regulations: The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all times in civil aviation; ensure that operators, citizens, and organisations comply with these rules.
• Product data management: The use of software to track all information concerning a product such as technical specifications, drawings, design specifications, and production costs.
• Synthetic natural environment: The simulation and representation of components of physical world such as climate, wheather and space where military systems exist in order to obtain information and perform tests.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aerospace engineering drafter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
• Use manual draughting techniques: Use non-computerised draughting techniques to make detailed drawings of designs by hand with specialised tools such as pencils, rulers and templates.
• Create a product’s virtual model: Create a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.
• Archive documentation related to the work: Select relevant documentation related to the ongoing or complete work and take steps to archive it in a way that ensures its future accessibility.
• Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
• Draw blueprints: Draw layout specifications for machinery, equipment and building structures. Specify which materials should be used and the size of the components. Show different angles and views of the product.
• Develop assembly instructions: Develop a code of letters and numbers to label diagrams for assembly instructions.
• Render 3D images: Use specialised tools to convert 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.

3118 – Draughtspersons

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References

1. Aerospace engineering drafter – ESCO
2. Featured image: By Primegold – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0