Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Career Overview

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

Also Known As

• Engineering Technician
• Instrumentation Technician
• Systems Test Technician
• Test Technician

Alternate Job Titles

• Aerographer
• Aerospace Assembler
• Aerospace Engineering Technologist
• Aerospace Mechanic
• Aerospace Operations Technologist
• Aerospace Physiological Technician
• Aerospace Technician
• Aircraft Research Mechanic
• Altitude Chamber Technician
• Avionics Installation Technician
• Avionics Test Technician
• Data Acquisition Technician
• Engineering Specialist
• Engineering Technician
• Engineering Test Technician

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
• Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
• Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
• Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
• Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
• Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
• Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Operate, test, and troubleshoot uncrewed aerial systems, commonly known as drones, to ensure optimal performance.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mechanical
• Engineering and Technology
• Mathematics
• Production and Processing
• Customer and Personal Service

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Critical Thinking
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Operations Monitoring
4. Quality Control Analysis
5. Active Listening
6. Speaking

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Written Expression
• Flexibility of Closure

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Integrity
• Intellectual Curiosity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Recognition
• Independence

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Apache Hadoop
• Atlassian JIRA
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• C++
• Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
• Extensible markup language XML
• JavaScript
• JUnit
• Linux
• Microsoft Access

Tools & Equipment

• Accelerometer sensors
• Accelerometers
• Adjustable wrenches
• Air drills
• Air-supplying respirators
• Aligning punches
• Alignment squares
• Allen wrenches
• Annealing ovens
• Aviation snips
• Ball peen hammers
• Bench vises
• Bleeder wrenches
• Body harnesses
• Bore gauges

Work Environment

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• E-Mail
• Telephone Conversations

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$53,730
Median	$79,830
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$120,440

Workers Employed Nationally: 9,060

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.