How to Launch a Career in Aerospace Without an Engineering Degree

When most people think about pursuing a career in aerospace, they immediately picture engineers building rockets or scientists studying propulsion systems. While these technical roles are essential, the aerospace industry is much broader than you might think — and you don’t need an engineering degree to be part of it.

From project analysts and operations specialists to quality control, supply chain coordination, and policy roles, there are countless opportunities for professionals with diverse skill sets. In fact, the aerospace field actively seeks individuals with backgrounds in business, technology, logistics, and even communications to help manage the complex systems that keep this industry in motion.

If you’re intrigued by space, aviation, and cutting-edge technology but don’t have a traditional engineering background, there’s still a path for you. With the right training — such as MSU Denver’s Aerospace Online Course — you can build a rewarding, impactful career in one of today’s most dynamic industries.

Aerospace Needs More Than Just Engineers

The aerospace industry is composed of more than design and development. It’s a massive ecosystem that includes manufacturing, project management, operations, compliance, data analysis, customer support, and supply logistics.

As companies and government agencies launch new satellites, develop commercial space tourism, and expand defense systems, the need for professionals across functions is only growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, aerospace and aviation-related roles are projected to continue growing steadily, especially in project analysis, systems coordination, and quality assurance.

Key non-engineering roles include:

• Aerospace project analyst
• Technical writer
• Supply chain coordinator
• Aerospace program manager
• Quality assurance specialist
• Operations and logistics manager
• Compliance officer
• Proposal and contract specialist
• Systems support analyst

What unites these roles is a shared understanding of the industry’s structure, processes, and regulatory requirements — something MSU Denver’s Aerospace Online Course is specifically designed to teach.

Skills That Transfer to Aerospace

You may be closer to a career in aerospace than you think. Many of the skills you’ve developed in other industries are highly valuable in aerospace settings.

Relevant transferable skills include:

• Project management and scheduling
• Data entry and analysis
• Technical documentation
• Communication and team coordination
• Budgeting and resource allocation
• Regulatory compliance
• Supply chain or procurement experience

For example, someone with logistics experience in manufacturing may transition into a role overseeing component shipments for aircraft production. Likewise, a former operations coordinator may manage deadlines and deliverables for satellite launch projects. It’s all about translating your existing experience into aerospace language and context.

This is where formal training becomes crucial—not necessarily to learn from scratch, but to gain credibility and fluency in the specific terminology and workflows used in the industry.

What You’ll Learn in MSU Denver’s Aerospace Online Course

MSU Denver’s Aerospace Online Course in Project Analysis is part of its Career Launchpad series, designed for adult learners and professionals looking to transition into high-demand fields. This course is 100% online, self-paced, and built to teach the foundational skills needed to succeed in aerospace support roles.

The course covers:

• Fundamentals of aerospace project lifecycles
• Key stakeholders in government and commercial aerospace
• Budgeting and funding processes in the industry
• How to analyze project schedules, timelines, and resource needs
• Common project management tools and techniques used in aerospace settings
• Regulatory and compliance basics from agencies like NASA, the FAA, and the Department of Defense

You’ll gain a broad understanding of how complex aerospace projects are planned, funded, and executed — without needing to design or engineer the hardware yourself. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to speak confidently about how projects move from concept to completion, and how your skillset can support that journey.

Why Now Is the Right Time

The aerospace industry is undergoing major transformation. The rise of private spaceflight companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic has disrupted the traditional defense-contractor-dominated space. At the same time, global demand for climate monitoring satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and commercial airline technology is increasing.

With these changes come more jobs and more diversity in the types of roles available. According to a 2023 Deloitte report on aerospace trends, companies are hiring across multiple non-technical functions to keep up with growth and regulatory demands.

You no longer need to be a rocket scientist to be in aerospace. You need curiosity, attention to detail, and the right knowledge base to enter the field with confidence.

What Makes This Course Accessible

One of the biggest barriers to entering the aerospace field is perception—many people assume they need a degree in engineering, physics, or computer science to qualify. But MSU Denver’s Aerospace Online Course is built for learners from all backgrounds, with no previous technical training required.

Accessible features of the course include:

• Self-paced format: Learn on your own schedule
• Real-world applications: Coursework draws from actual industry project examples
• No prerequisites: Open to learners with any educational or professional background
• Skill-building focus: Learn how to apply project analysis frameworks immediately
• Stackable potential: The course can be a stepping stone toward further training or certification

Whether you’re a business professional, a veteran transitioning out of the military, or someone looking to make a mid-career change, this course provides a practical foundation to help you enter the aerospace field.

Careers You Can Pursue After Completing the Course

After finishing the Aerospace Online Course, you’ll be prepared for entry-level and mid-level roles in a range of aerospace-adjacent departments. These positions often serve as stepping stones to larger project management or policy roles.

Potential job titles include:

• Project Analyst – Aerospace or Defense
• Program Support Specialist
• Aerospace Operations Coordinator
• Project Scheduler
• Procurement or Contracts Specialist
• Systems Integration Assistant
• Technical Liaison
• Quality Assurance Coordinator

With experience, many professionals go on to become project managers, strategic planners, or compliance leads within aerospace programs.

Additional Training and Certification Options

If you want to go beyond the introductory course, you might consider additional credentials that complement a career in aerospace:

• PMP (Project Management Professional): Widely respected for project managers in aerospace and defense
• Six Sigma or Lean Certifications: Useful for roles in quality assurance and process improvement
• Government Contracting or FAR Training: Helps with roles involving Department of Defense or NASA procurement
• Security Clearance: Required for certain federal projects; consider roles that sponsor clearance if you’re eligible
• Bachelor’s completion or specialized associate degrees in aerospace systems or industrial management

The MSU Denver Aerospace Online Course can also serve as a bridge into a degree program if you decide to pursue more formal education in aerospace project management or supply chain logistics.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

• Business professionals curious about the aerospace field
• Veterans or former defense employees looking to pivot roles
• Recent graduates unsure of their next step
• Workers in adjacent industries like logistics, IT, or construction
• Mid-career professionals looking to transition into a growing sector
• Anyone who loves space, aviation, or technology—but doesn’t want to design aircraft or spacecraft

Even if you’ve never taken a course in physics or engineering, your interest in big systems, project planning, and operations is enough to get started.

How Aerospace Projects Are Managed — and Why Your Role Matters

Large-scale aerospace programs — whether it’s building a new commercial aircraft or launching a weather satellite — are managed with extraordinary precision. These projects often span years, involve multiple contractors, require billions of dollars in funding, and must meet strict government regulations.

Behind every successful launch or rollout is a team of project analysts, coordinators, and specialists working behind the scenes to manage timelines, budgets, resources, and compliance. These professionals are the glue holding the operation together.

Your contribution in a non-engineering role may include:

• Coordinating supplier timelines to ensure parts arrive on schedule
• Tracking milestones and reporting progress to leadership teams
• Managing documentation for safety audits and inspections
• Helping translate technical requirements into stakeholder-friendly formats
• Ensuring all components meet regulatory and contractual obligations

Understanding how these pieces come together is what sets aerospace support professionals apart. It’s not just about spreadsheets — it’s about enabling missions, reducing risk, and ensuring everything from rocket launches to avionics upgrades happen safely and on time.

The Aerospace Online Course at MSU Denver introduces you to this ecosystem so you can confidently step into roles that support complex project delivery.

Launch Your Career from Any Background

The aerospace field is filled with complexity, innovation, and impact — and it needs people from a wide variety of backgrounds to support its growth. Whether you’re coordinating supply chains for space shuttle parts or managing budgets for a satellite project, your work can be just as critical as that of an engineer or scientist.

If you’ve ever dreamed of working in aerospace but thought the door was closed without an engineering degree, now is the time to reconsider. The industry is expanding, and so are the roles within it. With the right training, you can build a meaningful career that contributes to some of the most exciting projects on (and off) the planet.

MSU Denver’s Aerospace Online Course offers a direct, accessible, and practical way to take your first step.

Visit the course page today to learn more, enroll, and start building your future in aerospace — no engineering degree required.