Professional profiles
Professional Figure:
Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering
The specific engineering and technical background offers graduates in Aerospace Engineering access to a wide range of occupations, also working in fields normally covered by mechanical, industrial and management engineers, including:
FLUID-DYNAMIC ENGINEER
Working also with highly complex systems, both in strictly aerospace fields and more general industrial fields, analysing fluid-dynamic fields associated with different systems, in charge of aerodynamic design. Drafts simplified physical and mathematical models to estimate aerodynamic loads. Uses numerical models to analyse motion in various aerospace and industrial applications, calculating the aerodynamic load on various elements. Uses even sophisticated calculation software with different turbulence models for non-linear analyses in different situations. Carries out experimental tests in wind tunnels or specific experimental plants and critically interprets the data.
PRODUCTION ENGINEER
Design and management of quality and production systems in manufacturing industries which apply advanced technologies in the field of materials, aerodynamics and light structures.
Guarantees the design, production, testing and management of the principal conventional and non-conventional systems, managing logistics and the optimisation of production and processes generally. Analyses and manages complex manufacturing systems, competently selecting the materials and heat treatments, assessing costs and introducing appropriate innovation in processes, equipment and aeronautical and industrial production systems generally. Plans and monitors the reliability and quality of production, and at the same time, assures innovation and positioning in the most advanced product markets.
DESIGNER-ENGINEER
Occupies positions of responsibility in design, management, coordination and development of industrial and/or research activities in public and private bodies and aerospace companies, as well as innovative activities within the freelance field. Produces design specifications, plans development and design activitiesfor all parts and components. Designs new technical solutions starting from the definition of specifications through to prototyping and production. Draws up physical and mathematical models to interpret the behaviour of the designed components and systems, focusing on functional improvement. Uses even sophisticated calculation software and carries out experimental tests to check the functional features of products. Produces the technical documentation required for internal production and installation at customer premises.
PLANT ENGINEER
Holds positions of responsibility in the design of individual subsystems and plantson board aeronautical and space vehicles to ensure the operational life of the system (vehicle steering and control, power output and distribution, avionics and on-board information transmission and processing electronic systems, heatcontrol and air-conditioning systems, etc.) as well as ground systems formission control and experimentation. Defines the functional architecture for single units, identifies the functional terms of components and the influence of the external environment and dynamic interactions on systems and subsystems, using specific survey methods, including simulation for experimental,analytical and numerical modelling.
SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Holds positions of responsibility in the study of aeronautical and space systems as a whole and the interaction and integration of subsystems within the configuration, in order to achieve the objectives of the mission. Also deals with the ground and flight experimentation of aeronautical and space systems,on-board, steering, navigation instrumentation and system control. Designs and develops methodologies, subsystems and instrumentation for special applications including remote surveying.
MISSION ENGINEER
Draws up physical and mathematical models for performance analysis. Studies the influence of aircraft centring on stability and controllability features and of configuration on take-off and landing performance. Designs subsystems and ground instrumentation to measure trajectories and orbits and for data acquisition and transmission. Uses calculation software to optimise trajectories to reduce atmospheric and noise pollution. Critically analyses the data from previous missions. Provides consulting for accidents. Studies international air traffic control laws.
MATERIALS ENGINEER
Working also with advanced systems, both in strictly aerospace fields and more general industrial fields, this professional figure possesses widespread knowledge in the preparation, processing and applications of materials, using the competences acquired both on structural materials (metals and polymers) and functional materials (such as advanced materials for the micro-mechanical and electronic industries). In each material class, the specific competences are based on the understanding of the relations between the material micro-structure and their properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical, etc.), competences underlying the basic common training of industrial engineers. Materials engineers also have the tools required for material characterisation, processing and functionalisation and is able to choose materials and production processes to suit a given component, considering the influence of transformation and subsequent processing on the structure and properties of thematerial.
MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
Based on in-depth theoretical and scientific knowledge of even highly complex systems inboth specific aerospace and more general industrial fields, they hold organisational and managerial roles requiring basic technological competences, particularly in the analysis and management of production and logistical processes and company management processes. They are also able to critically analyse and solve problems affecting the management and control of airline fleets, aircraft maintenance, also concerning the modification and certification of systems and plants, the management of operational, administrative and technical-commercial processes.
Main professional competences:
• Ability to work in research, design and development areas, investigating the new frontiers of technology, not only using advanced components and methodologies but also developing new ones for innovative applications or improved cost-performance ratios.
• Ability to work with knowledge from different fields of aerospace engineering: Flight Mechanics, Structures and Materials, Plants and Systems, Fluid-dynamics and Propulsion.
• Ability to manage complex projects pushing performance to the limits of technological feasibility, developing new components and subsystems and using innovative methods and procedures.
Career Opportunities:
• Aerospace, Naval, Mechanical, Processing and Car Manufacturing industries;
• Windenergy production systems;
• Industries producing machinery and systems with relevance to fluid-dynamics, advanced materials and light structures, plants and plant interaction;
• Airlines;
• Air traffic control authorities;
• Space agencies;
• Airline maintenance companies.
Access to further study
It gives access to third cycle studies (Dottorato di ricerca/Scuole di specializzazione) and master universitario di secondo livello.
