How to Attract and Retain Aerospace Engineers

The Amtec Team

January 21, 2023

If you’re in the aerospace industry, you know just how competitive it is out there for top talent. Aerospace engineers, specifically, play a vital role in the development of new technologies and their contributions are essential for the success of any aerospace organization. This is why they can be hard to find which makes it important to have a strategy in place to attract and retain the best talent and maintain a competitive edge in the industry. Here are a few ways this can be accomplished.

Offer Competitive Compensation

Aerospace engineers are highly skilled so they expect to be compensated accordingly. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for aerospace engineers in the U.S. was $122,270 in May 2021. If you want to find aerospace engineers and hold onto them, there’s no way around it, you have to make sure you’re offering competitive pay.

Provide Development and Growth Opportunities

Money isn’t the only motivating factor for aerospace engineers. Providing opportunities for professional development and growth in an aerospace organization is highly desirable. Engineers want to know that they will have the opportunity to advance in their careers and that their contributions will be recognized and valued. Offering opportunities to take on leadership roles, or work on high-profile projects (more on that later), can be a great way to attract top engineers while rewarding and recognizing existing team members can improve morale and increase retention.

Facilitate a Positive Company Culture and Healthy Work-Life Balance

Aerospace engineers have demanding and complex jobs, so it’s important to facilitate a supportive company culture that allows them to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Open communication and a sense of community among employees can be instrumental to your team’s continued success. Offering team-building activities, social events, and opportunities for informal interaction can encourage trust and reduce employee turnover.

Continue Networking

Networking is an important aspect of attracting aerospace engineers because it allows organizations to connect with potential employees and stay informed about the latest advancements in the field. Building relationships with universities and research institutions can help organizations stay connected with the latest research and developments in aerospace engineering, as well as provide access to potential job candidates. Furthermore, networking at industry events allows organizations to showcase their projects and expertise, and to meet potential employees in person.

Share Enticing Projects

Highlighting your company’s involvement in cutting-edge aerospace projects is important for attracting aerospace engineers because it showcases your commitment to innovation and advancement in the field. Aerospace engineers are passionate about their work and they want to be a part of projects that are challenging and interesting. By highlighting current and future projects, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology and providing opportunities for engineers to work on cutting-edge projects. This can make your company more attractive to top aerospace engineering talent who are looking for exciting opportunities to advance their careers. Additionally, highlighting high-profile, groundbreaking projects can increase your company’s reputation; attracting engineers who want to be a part of a well-regarded company.

Conclusion

In summary, to attract and retain aerospace engineers, you need to offer competitive compensation, provide opportunities for professional development, promote a positive company culture and healthy work-life balance, network, and highlight your involvement in cutting-edge aerospace projects. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be sure to attract and retain the best aerospace engineers in the industry, even in a competitive market.

As always, if you need help with aerospace recruitment we’ll be happy to lend you a hand.