Aerospace Electronic Engineering

Aerospace Electronic Engineering is a discipline that applies the principles of electronics, computing and electrical systems to the design of aircraft, spacecraft and the complex avionic systems they carry. It sits at the intersection of aerospace engineering and electronic engineering, covering areas such as navigation and guidance systems, flight control electronics, communication and data link systems, radar, embedded computing and power management for aircraft and spacecraft. As the aerospace sector pursues more sustainable and autonomous flight, the demand for engineers who understand both the aerospace environment and the underlying electronic systems has grown significantly.

At the University of Southampton this three-year full-time degree develops your understanding of the electronic systems that enable modern aerospace vehicles to function, alongside the specialist knowledge of avionics, practical computing and programming that the industry requires. You will study the fundamental principles of electronics and build them into an aerospace context, developing the analytical and design skills needed to contribute to the development of aircraft and spacecraft of the future, including the greener aviation technologies that the industry is actively pursuing.

Graduates from Aerospace Electronic Engineering degrees go on to careers in the aerospace and defence industries, working for aircraft manufacturers, systems integrators, defence contractors, space agencies and technology companies supplying the aerospace sector. Roles include avionics engineer, flight systems engineer, embedded systems developer, signal processing engineer and satellite systems engineer. The combination of aerospace knowledge and electronic engineering skills makes graduates attractive across a range of high-technology sectors, including defence electronics, communications, autonomous systems and space technology.

Postgraduate study in aerospace engineering, electronic engineering or related technical fields is an option for those wishing to develop further specialist expertise.