Exploring the Vital Part Engineers Play in Emerging Technologies Across the Aerospace & Defense Industries
Shoutout to the engineers!
There are many engineering roles within the aerospace and defense industries, and each is pivotal in shaping new technologies, ensuring the highest quality, and applying the latest processes.
Engineers support and advance aerospace and defense capabilities to keep these industries highly competitive and capable, and in this article, we explain just how engineering roles are influencing emerging market technologies with the latest in machining and fabrication.
1. High Quality, Lower Cost
What began with drafting tables and slide rules has evolved into 3D CAD modeling, simulations, and additive manufacturing. Tools like Mastercam, SolidWorks, Pro-E, Calypso, CATIA, and HyperMill enable precision design from the initial new product introduction (NPI) through production.
Engineers are typically certified and skilled in Lean Six Sigma. which shifts focus from defect detection to defect prevention, delivering higher quality parts from the start. Conducting this early intervention ensures designs remain manufacturable, reliable, and optimized for performance.
By leveraging Lean Six Sigma, providing engineering reviews of all NPIs, and delivering design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback to customers, engineers help increase operating equipment effectiveness (OEE) and decrease costs.
2. Enabling Mission-Critical Performance in the Most Extreme Conditions
There are formidable challenges out there – the high-speed dynamics of missiles and rockets, or crushing atmospheric pressures. Engineers are tasked with designing for these conditions, which requires careful material selection and the application of unique machining techniques.
Materials like titanium, Inconel, and carbon composites each require unique machining techniques to preserve integrity, and precision to ensure perfect performance in mission-critical situations.
Mastery of 5-axis CNC machining, Swiss turning, and exotic alloys enables engineers to produce components that stand up to the toughest demands of hypersonics, LEO satellite systems, and defense hardware.
3. Engineering Precision
Precision is crucial, and DFM reviews for NPIs help ensure precision for all production equipment and manufactured parts and assemblies. This attention to precision ultimately improves effectiveness and reduces overall costs with fewer errors and faults.
Adhering to a Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement culture in manufacturing result in improved development cycles, and techniques like Robotic and Palletized Fixturing, Poka-Yoke (error-proofing), and 6S Cell Organization deliver consistency and accuracy to support high-volume production.
4. Quality Assurance
Compliance requirements and rigorous standards help prevent errors that can have catastrophic impacts in aerospace and defense activities. Engineers must be well-versed in GD&T, ASME, ISO, and ASTM standards, and certifications like ITAR and AS9100.
Additionally, precision metrology tools and Lean Six Sigma methodologies help inform quality control, guaranteeing that every part meets specification before it moves down the line.
5. The Sum of Many Parts
Engineering doesn’t stop at fabrication. The challenge of assembly and integration of precision parts into larger systems such as aircraft, missiles, or satellites requires technical coordination and alignment.
End-to-end manufacturing solutions ensure delivery of components optimized for seamless integration into mission-critical systems.
6. Embracing Emerging Technologies
Aerospace and defense engineers often also act as designers, machinists, programmers, and process architects. Our CNC programmers blend deep machining knowledge with engineering insights, programming 5-axis CNC machines while ensuring manufacturable, high-precision prototypes for spacecraft and satellites.
Engineering thinking often guides hands-on production work, such as planning intricate machining paths with tight tolerances and rigour.
7. On the Cutting-Edge
The aerospace and defense industries are constantly evolving, and so are the skill sets of engineers working on the parts and assemblies for these mission-critical assets.
Data-driven methods and machine learning are reshaping design and manufacturing, and while many of these technologies are still emerging, these approaches are ideal for solving safety-critical optimization problems.
Aerospace and defense manufacturers must maintain a focus on investing in advanced equipment and automation, such as multi-axis machining systems, to optimize productivity and precision while reducing manual labor and overall costs.
Let’s Hear it for Primus Engineers
At the heart of our operation are the engineers driving innovation every day. The skilled engineers working at our Lakewood, CO and Reisterstown, MD facilities uphold quality, foster continuous improvement, empower manufacturing, and future-proof our capabilities. From material science and CNC programming to DFM reviews and process optimization, they’re playing a pivotal role in every mission-critical part.
Engineering excellence is helping carry aerospace and defense technology forward, and we’re proud to have these talented individuals supporting our mission every day.
