Mechanical engineer to aerospace engineering drafter

• already held CAE software knowledge
• already held aircraft mechanics knowledge
• already held create technical plans skill
• already held design drawings knowledge
• already held engineering principles knowledge
• already held engineering processes knowledge
• already held execute analytical mathematical calculations skill
• already held mechanics knowledge
• already held read engineering drawings skill
• already held technical drawings knowledge
• already held use technical drawing software skill
• already held 3D modelling knowledge
• already held adjust engineering designs skill
• already held create a product's virtual model skill
• already held define part requirements skill
• already held electromechanics knowledge
• already held fluid mechanics knowledge
• already held material mechanics knowledge

• optional, not held archive documentation related to work optional
• optional, not held common aviation safety regulations optional
• optional, not held defense system optional
• optional, not held guidance, navigation and control optional
• optional, not held stealth technology optional
• optional, not held synthetic natural environment optional
• optional, not held unmanned air systems optional
• optional, not held CAD software optional
• optional, not held develop assembly instructions optional
• optional, not held draw blueprints optional
• optional, not held manual draughting techniques optional
• optional, not held physics optional
• optional, not held product data management optional
• optional, not held render 3D images optional
• optional, not held use CAD software optional
• optional, not held use manual draughting techniques optional

• not needed by the target role advise on machinery malfunctions skill
• not needed by the target role aerodynamics knowledge
• not needed by the target role approve engineering design skill
• not needed by the target role assess financial viability skill
• not needed by the target role automation technology knowledge
• not needed by the target role automotive engineering skill
• not needed by the target role blueprints knowledge
• not needed by the target role build machines skill
• not needed by the target role building automation knowledge
• not needed by the target role calibrate mechatronic instruments skill
• not needed by the target role combined heat and power generation knowledge
• not needed by the target role computer simulation knowledge
• not needed by the target role continuum mechanics knowledge
• not needed by the target role coordinate engineering teams skill
• not needed by the target role define technical requirements skill
• not needed by the target role design a domotic system in buildings skill
• not needed by the target role design a solar absorption cooling system skill
• not needed by the target role design automation components skill
• not needed by the target role design engineering components skill
• not needed by the target role design heating and cooling emission systems skill
• not needed by the target role design principles knowledge
• not needed by the target role design prototypes skill
• not needed by the target role determine production capacity skill
• not needed by the target role develop mechatronic test procedures skill
• not needed by the target role disassemble engines skill
• not needed by the target role draft design specifications skill
• not needed by the target role electric current knowledge
• not needed by the target role environmental legislation knowledge
• not needed by the target role evaluate engine performance skill
• not needed by the target role gather technical information skill
• not needed by the target role hydraulics knowledge
• not needed by the target role industrial engineering knowledge
• not needed by the target role inspect engine rooms skill
• not needed by the target role install automation components skill
• not needed by the target role install mechatronic equipment skill
• not needed by the target role instruct on energy saving technologies skill
• not needed by the target role integrated design knowledge
• not needed by the target role keep up with digital transformation of industrial processes skill
• not needed by the target role maintain electrical equipment skill
• not needed by the target role maintain robotic equipment skill

34 further entries not listed here

Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.

• still to learn ICT software specifications required
• still to learn CADD software required
• still to learn mathematics required
• still to learn multimedia systems required
• optional, not held common aviation safety regulations optional
• optional, not held defense system optional
• optional, not held guidance, navigation and control optional
• optional, not held stealth technology optional
• optional, not held synthetic natural environment optional
• optional, not held unmanned air systems optional
• optional, not held CAD software optional
• optional, not held manual draughting techniques optional
• optional, not held physics optional
• optional, not held product data management optional

Yes, and it is a moderate move. A mechanical engineer already covers 52% of what an aerospace engineering drafter is expected to do: 18 skills carry over, 11 of which the aerospace engineering drafter role treats as required.

7 required skills are missing, plus 16 optional ones. They fall into 9 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, led by information and communication technologies (icts). The single most important is ICT software specifications.

Its learning distance is 51.4 out of 100, which is the moderate band. That accounts for both how much is missing and how specialised those skills are.