MinerAlert
At The University of Texas at El Paso's Aerospace Center, we are redefining education and workforce development through transformational learning experiences and hands-on research in our cutting-edge labs. Our mission is to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and real-world expertise needed to meet the growing demands of the aerospace, defense, and STEM industries.
The nation is facing a critical workforce challenge: the need for a new wave of globally-minded, highly skilled talent to fuel innovation and maintain global competitiveness.
The Department of Defense (DoD) and industry partners are urgently seeking professionals who not only have technical expertise but also the adaptability and problem-solving capabilities required for today’s rapidly evolving challenges.
At the Aerospace Center, we take pride in bridging this gap by providing students with unparalleled opportunities to engage in advanced research, develop industry-aligned skills, and gain valuable experience that positions them as leaders in aerospace. Our student-centered approach ensures that every individual thrives academically and professionally while contributing to the talent pipeline that drives our nation's security and economic vitality.
The Aerospace Center’s research programs empower students with unparalleled opportunities for social and economic mobility. By joining our team as research assistants, junior engineers, engineers, or technicians, students gain invaluable hands-on experience that sets them apart in the competitive job market. This practical training provides a significant edge, enabling our graduates to excel in their careers. Many of our alumni have secured positions with prestigious organizations such as NASA, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and others, launching them into successful and impactful professional journeys.
Our student-centered model is what sets our graduates apart and makes them highly sought after by aerospace industry leaders. Recognizing that many of our students work while pursuing their education, we hire them as research assistants, engineers, junior engineers and technicians, ensuring their work directly contributes to their future careers.
Unlike many universities, where research opportunities are often reserved for master’s and Ph.D. students, 50% of our students working in The Aerospace Center are undergraduates.
In our labs, students integrate classroom theory and practice with industry-aligned skills development through an iterative Design-Build-Test cycle in multidisciplinary teams. Our research portfolio addresses emerging challenges and opportunities in aerospace, leveraging cutting-edge digital tools, state-of-the-art facilities, and industry-grade equipment to reflect current trends.
Students also engage directly with industry and agency partners through collaborative research, mentoring, and professional presentations. Whether leading lab tours or showcasing their work at conferences and symposiums, these experiences prepare them to excel in real-world environments.