A Beginner’s Guide to Aerospace Engineering
- Matthew Zaino
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
If you're an engineering student dreaming of working on rockets, satellites, or even missions to Mars, you’ve probably asked yourself: “What does it really take to get hired at a place like SpaceX?”
The answer? It’s not just about having a high GPA or memorizing formulas. Companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Blue Origin are looking for engineers who know how to think critically, build fast, and solve tough problems—not just those who passed all their exams.
Yes, the academic side matters. Taking courses in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering will give you the solid foundation you need—things like fluid dynamics, control systems, orbital mechanics, thermodynamics, and propulsion. These topics help you understand the “why” behind how rockets fly and how satellites stay in orbit. If you're still figuring out your path, tools like the edX aerospace engineering guide or Careers in Aerospace roadmap can help you see what classes and degrees lead to which roles in the space industry. But while the theory is important, it’s just the beginning.
What sets people apart is what they do outside the classroom. You’ve probably heard it before: get hands-on. And it’s true. Whether it’s joining your school’s rocketry team, helping build a CubeSat, or just messing around with 3D printing and Arduino boards in your garage—that’s the stuff hiring managers get excited about. Real experience shows you can take an idea, turn it into a design, build it, and learn from what goes wrong. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out what teams like Princeton Rocketry or groups like UMSATS are doing, or even SIGMA Unlimited's The Space Above Us Program. NASA’s CubeSat 101 guide is also a great place to start learning how small satellites are built and launched by students just like you.
On top of that, getting internships or fellowships is a game-changer. These experiences not only help you apply what you’ve learned in school but also connect you with mentors, industry professionals, and future teammates. Programs like the NASA Academy, Brooke Owens Fellowship, and Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship are built to support students who want to make a real impact in aerospace. Even if you start with a smaller internship or local research position, it can build momentum toward bigger opportunities.
When it comes time to apply to places like SpaceX, what they really want to see is a portfolio of work that proves you can think, build, and adapt. Maybe you built a thrust vectoring system for a model rocket, or designed your own satellite tracker using a microcontroller. That kind of initiative tells them way more than a résumé full of class titles. Having a GitHub, YouTube channel, or personal website where you show off your work can make a huge difference. And when it’s time to interview, you’ll want to be ready to talk about not just what you built—but what went wrong, how you fixed it, and what you’d do differently next time. There are some great resources to help prep for the SpaceX interview process, like SpaceCrew’s hiring guide and InterviewPrep’s SpaceX questions.
Finally, keep learning. The world of aerospace is evolving fast—AI, machine learning, new materials, reusability, and additive manufacturing are all changing how things are designed and built. So make it a habit to explore beyond your coursework. Follow cool research papers, build side projects, or follow a self-study roadmap like this one. Learn how to code in Python or C++, experiment with sensors, play around with simulations, or try building something that flies. That curiosity and drive to keep learning is what keeps engineers sharp—and it’s what makes you stand out.
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In short, it’s not about being the perfect student. It’s about becoming the kind of engineer who loves solving problems, building things that didn’t exist before, and pushing yourself to learn more every day. That’s the mindset rocket companies are looking for—and you can start building that version of yourself right now.
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