Aerospace Engineering
WPI’s Aerospace Engineering department embraces the science and technologies that create, develop, and improve aircraft and spacecraft. Using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities including wind tunnels, vacuum chambers, and controls instrumentation, students develop a sound understanding of the technical concepts relevant to aerospace engineering and design.
Our curriculum focuses on the broad engineering principles needed to develop the specialized skills required for aeronautical and astronautical careers. Faculty mentorship is ever present as students navigate an academic path toward achieving their personal and career goals.
Students routinely meet our high standards of excellence as they prepare to take on leadership roles in the world-leading U.S. aerospace industry. Graduates go on to rewarding careers as aerospace (or related) engineering professionals in industry or government, or pursue advanced degrees. Their technological, communication, and teamwork capabilities enable them to quickly move into leadership roles in business and society.
Aerospace Engineering Department
Aerospace Engineering Department Announces the Winner of the 2024 MQP Provost Award
We are proud to announce that the 2024 MQP Provost Award has been awarded to the team behind the project "Design, Analysis, and Testing of an Ionic Wind Propulsion System for an Electric Aircraft." The award-winning team members are Colleen Henderson, Cole Lederman, Cailin Borovicka, and Ariel Velasquez. Their project was supervised by Prof. Taillefer.
Congratulations to the team for their outstanding achievement!
New Faculty | Aerospace Engineering Department
Email: ajagtap@wpi.edu
Phone: +1 (508) 8315000 x6379
Prior to joining WPI, I served as an Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics (Research) at Brown University for three and a half years. My academic journey includes earning both my PhD and Master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the esteemed Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in India. Following this, I engaged in postdoctoral research at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research—Center for Applicable Mathematics (TIFR-CAM) in India. Subsequently, I transitioned to Brown University to continue my postdoctoral research within the Division of Applied Mathematics. My research is ...
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career outcomes
students-to-faculty ratio
current faculty members have received NSF CAREER Awards
Experiential PhD: Working Full-Time While Pursuing Your PhD Degree
WPI supports individuals working full-time in industry to pursue PhD degrees either part-time or full-time on topics related to their employment. Want to learn more about this opportunity and how to obtain this industry-based PhD degree, visit the WPI Experiential PhD program page.
Advance with the BS/MS Dual Degree Program
Fast-track your education and career with the BS/MS program by earning a dual degree―an accelerated academic pathway to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Saving both time and money while building advanced knowledge and skills could help you stand out in today’s competitive job market. Discover more about the BS/MS program and your options to earn a BS/MS dual degree at the links below.
After Graduation
Aerospace program graduates find a robust job market for the comprehensive hands-on technical, science, social science, and engineering skills they have. Grads often find careers in industries where aerospace is essential – like NASA and the U.S. Government.
Alumni Impact
The Race for the 'Auld Mug'
Liam Shanahan ’18 combines engineering and sailing skills to elevate the 37th America’s Cup challenge.
Aiming High
Pioneering fighter pilot Stacey Cotton Bonasso ‘90 inspires the next generation as a high school STEM teacher.
Student and Faculty Impact
Keeping a Space Dream Alive
Christian North '26, a nontraditional aerospace engineering student, balances full-time work at Oracle with a mission to teach and inspire the next generation of engineers.
The Burning Questions
A WPI research team is toppling convention and opening new doors in the field of combustion and explosion science.