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Machinery engineers

How to become an Aircraft Engine Engineer

Also called: Aircraft engine development engineer

Researches and develops jet engines for aircraft.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say university or a master's degree is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

Most entrants have a university degree or a master's degree. As well as basic engineering knowledge, you need knowledge and theory of machines if you specialise in mechanical engineering, or of fluids if you specialise in fluid dynamics. No licence or qualification is needed to get a job. As well as regular graduate hiring, there are chances to join jet engine makers mid-career, in which case many come from industries related to jet engines, such as industrial gas turbines. Some people move on using their experience of airframe or jet engine development, and some move to airlines. Most aircraft makers are foreign companies, led by those in the United States, so almost all documents are in English. There is a lot of joint work with engineers from other countries, and in that case you communicate in English. It generally takes from several years to nearly 10 years after joining to become a fully skilled engineer, depending on your area. Engineers specialise in a wide range of fields, including drafting, structural analysis, aerodynamic analysis, combustion, vibration and impact analysis, control, materials, production engineering, engine assembly, testing and inspection. Jet engines cannot be developed by one person: you work with engineers from each specialist field, so communication skills and cooperation are needed. When you lead a team or project, coordination skills and leadership are needed.

Ways in

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Aircraft Engine Engineer?

Most entrants have a university degree or a master's degree. As well as basic engineering knowledge, you need knowledge and theory of machines if you specialise in mechanical engineering, or of fluids if you specialise in fluid dynamics. No licence or qualification is needed to get a job. As well as regular graduate hiring, there are chances to join jet engine makers mid-career, in which case many come from industries related to jet engines, such as industrial gas turbines. Some people move on using their experience of airframe or jet engine development, and some move to airlines. Most aircraft makers are foreign companies, led by those in the United States, so almost all documents are in English. There is a lot of joint work with engineers from other countries, and in that case you communicate in English. It generally takes from several years to nearly 10 years after joining to become a fully skilled engineer, depending on your area. Engineers specialise in a wide range of fields, including drafting, structural analysis, aerodynamic analysis, combustion, vibration and impact analysis, control, materials, production engineering, engine assembly, testing and inspection. Jet engines cannot be developed by one person: you work with engineers from each specialist field, so communication skills and cooperation are needed. When you lead a team or project, coordination skills and leadership are needed.

How much does an Aircraft Engine Engineer earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥6,590,400 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Machinery engineers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become an Aircraft Engine Engineer?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 66% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of an Aircraft Engine Engineer?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026