Above all, your aerospace engineer cover letter needs to communicate your talents and passion for designing and evaluating aircrafts of all kinds. But how to do that? Relax, we've got you covered!
Dive in and discover cover letter writing tips, plenty of practical examples, and cover letter templates ready to be adjusted to your liking. Let's begin!
Keep reading to learn how to:
- Format an aerospace engineer cover letter header & headline
- Tailor your aerospace engineer cover letter for the job
- Write a compelling aerospace engineer cover letter introduction
- Showcase your skills and accomplishments as an aerospace engineer
- End your cover letter with an effective closing statement
- Access valuable resources for job-seeking aerospace engineers
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Format properly your aerospace engineer cover letter header & headline
To give your aerospace engineer cover letter a sense of structure, you need a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header will list all the necessary information about the applicant and employer, including:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name, department, and address of the company you are applying to
Here is an example of a header from an aerospace engineer cover letter
Henry Blevins, Aerospace Engineer
(123) 456-7890 | henryblevins@email.com | linkedin.com/in/henry-blevins
To: Aerospace Industries, Engineering Department
1234 Street Address
Baltimore, MD 21201
Following the header of your cover letter is the cover letter headline. While this is an optional element, it can greatly help to attract an employer’s attention.
To format your headline, include a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of an aerospace engineer cover letter headline, followed by a quick explanation of its key components
My 3 Successes in Aerospace Engineering & How I Can Achieve Them at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Successes
Keyword: Aerospace Engineering
Adjective/Verb: Achieve
Promise: At Your Company – this serves as a promise because it indicates to the employer that you will apply your skills specifically for their company’s needs.
2. Tailor your aerospace engineer cover letter for the job
When writing a cover letter as an aerospace engineer, it's crucial to tailor the document for the job. To do this, you'll need to thoroughly research the company beforehand, focusing specifically on:
- Who at the company will review your application
- What the company’s values and goals are
- What projects the company is involved in
Using this information, you can describe your skills and qualifications much more effectively by explaining how they align with the employer’s current objectives and needs.
This will also help you to create a personalized greeting. A personalized greeting addresses a specific person by name, immediately showing the employer you've researched their company thoroughly and have excellent attention to detail.
Here are 3 examples of personalized greetings
- Dear Mrs. Jane Doe,
- To CEO Jane Doe,
- To Mrs. Jane Doe & the Engineering Team,
3. Write a compelling aerospace engineer cover letter introduction
To write a compelling introduction on your aerospace engineer cover letter, you should include:
- A brief & highly specific overview of your professional history
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) – including a mutual acquaintance helps you to establish a trusted professional reference, as well as build credibility and rapport right away.
Here is an example of a well-written introduction from an aerospace engineer cover letter
Dear Mrs. Jane Doe,
I am a driven Aerospace Engineer with more than 6 years of experience designing aircraft transport models. My former colleague, John Smith, took a position at your company earlier this year and shared with me that you have an opening in your Engineering department. Upon reviewing your company values and goals, I believe I am the perfect match for this position.
4. Showcase your best aerospace engineer skills and accomplishments
A strong aerospace engineer cover letter will contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer the following key questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What relevant skills do you have and how will you apply them?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
Unlike a resume where your descriptions need to be as short as possible, a cover letter gives you the best opportunity to describe and expand upon your relevant skills and accomplishments. As such, you should aim to give ample context for each skill or accomplishment you include.
Here are 6 examples of key aerospace engineer skills to describe in a cover letter
- Knowledge of aerospace systems
- Design creativity
- Manufacturing processes
- Problem-Solving
- Federal government standards
- Teamwork & collaboration
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in an aerospace engineer cover letter
As an Aerospace Engineer at [Former Employer], I implemented a new aerospace systems analysis that improved prototype testing efficiency by 25%. Additionally, this analytical model helped to automatically identify potential manufacturing errors, reducing overall errors by 40%.
5. End your cover letter with an effective closing statement
To conclude your aerospace engineer cover letter, write a strong closing statement that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you'll follow up, including how you'll contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective closing statement from an aerospace engineer cover letter
As an Aerospace Engineer at your company, I will honor your company’s high standards of quality to the utmost extent. I greatly look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity and plan to reach back out next Monday if I have not heard back. The best time to reach me is any weekday between the times of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (123) 456-7890.
With Appreciation,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Valuable job search resources for aerospace engineers
When it comes to job hunting, a good aerospace engineer cover letter is something like your personal ambassador, introducing you to potential employers and highlighting why you're the perfect fit for the role. But equally important is tapping into the right resources that can help you come across compelling opportunities:
- Industry-specific job boards: Firstly, you can explore websites that aggregate job postings pertaining solely to the aerospace industry, such as Aeroindustryjobs, Space Careers, or Aerocontact.
- General job search platforms: But that doesn't mean that you should overlook platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, SimplyHired, or Monster. Since these can also yield interesting results.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is an excellent platform for building a professional network and getting to know employees within a company you're interested in. If you don't have any mutual acquaintances, try using LinkedIn to connect with professionals at the company.
- Professional associations: If you're looking for a place that offers job postings, access to networking events, and training programs, try visiting official websites of organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA), the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), or the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
- Aerospace companies' career pages:Or, you can go straight to the source and check web pages of providers like Boeing, Airbus, and SpaceX.
- Online learning platforms: Enroll in courses such as FEA Certification or CAD Certification to enhance your skills. Feel free to also browse through Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning for more courses.
- Job fairs and career events: Finally, consider attending fairs and expos to discover new career options. For example, UAA’s Virtual Aviation Career Fair, Aerospace Testing Expo, or AIAA SciTech Forum
The process of job searching is all about discovering new opportunities, showing off what you can do, and meeting people who appreciate your skills. Every application you send out brings you closer to finding the job that's just right for you. So, keep your spirits high, stay focused, and enjoy the journey of finding your perfect job!
Aerospace Engineer Cover Letter FAQ
What are common mistakes to avoid when writing an aerospace engineer cover letter?
Some of the most common mistakes include: generic cover letters that lack personalization and fail to address specific job requirements, and spelling and grammar errors. That's why we can't underline the importance of careful proofreading enough. Lastly, don't simply repeat the information from your resume; instead, use the cover letter to complement and expand upon the details provided in your resume.
What tone and language should I employ in my aerospace engineer cover letter?
Nailing the right tone of your cover letter is all about sounding professional yet engaging. Try to avoid overly formal language and jargon, and instead, communicate your enthusiasm for the position and industry in clear and confident language.But be careful and don't overdo it! After all, you don't want to sound arrogant or to nonchalant.
How long should my aerospace engineer cover letter be?
Ideally, your cover letter shouldn’t exceed one page in length. Aim for 3-4 body paragraphs accompanied by one introductory and one closing paragraph. And, always keep your writing focused on relevant qualifications and experiences.
How can I personalize my aerospace engineer cover letter for each job application?
First of all, you need to do a fair bit of digging. Research the company and job role to understand the employer's needs and culture. Then, use this information to your advantage and tailor your cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the position and demonstrate your enthusiasm for contributing to the company's goals.
Should I mention any specific aerospace projects or companies I admire in my cover letter?
Of course you should! Mentioning specific aerospace projects or companies you admire can demonstrate your genuine interest in the industry and your awareness of key players and innovations. However, ensure that your references are relevant to the job you're applying for and tie them back to your own experiences and aspirations as an aerospace engineer.