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Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician

Overview and Key Facts

woman in rocket
Education
Education
Associate's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$79,830
Job Growth
Job Growth
8.10%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
10,100

What Do They Do?

An aerospace engineering and operations technician could...

 
part of an airplane engine
Test a part from an aircraft after a crash to find out why it failed.
air force fighter jets
Help build an engine for a fighter jet.
satellite
Prototype a communications satellite that will allow calls from anywhere on Earth.
boosters
Test solid rocket boosters to help determine which one will perform the best at liftoff.
 
part of an airplane engine air force fighter jets satellite boosters

Overview Listen to this section

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians are essential to the development of new aircraft and space vehicles. They build, test, and maintain parts for air and spacecraft, and assemble, test, and maintain the vehicles as well. They are key members of a flight readiness team, preparing space vehicles for launch in clean rooms, and on the launch pad. They also help troubleshoot launch or flight failures by testing suspect parts.
Watch this video to learn more about Dan Rediger's job as an engineering technician who works on jet engines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v6zxdzda2Y

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician?


  1. Critical Thinking: ?
  2. Quality Control Analysis: ?
  3. Reading Comprehension: ?
  4. Operations Monitoring: ?
  5. Active Listening: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician might do:
  • 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.
  • Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician jobs (8.10%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Most aerospace engineering and operations technicians enter the occupation with an associate degree in engineering technology. Training is available at technical institutes, community colleges, extension divisions of colleges and universities, public and private vocational-technical schools, and in the Armed Forces. Because the type and quality of training programs vary considerably, prospective students should carefully investigate training programs before enrolling.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

There are several ways to train to become an aerospace engineering and operations technician. In high school you should take as many math and science classes as possible. You can then attend a college or technical school and take a two-year program in engineering or aerospace technology. Some schools have work-study programs in which you attend classes while working in the industry. Some companies in the aerospace industry offer on-the-job training programs. Apprenticeship programs, such as those given in drafting and electronics, may lead to a technician's job. Graduates of technical schools run by the armed services may also be able to find jobs as aerospace engineering and operations technicians. In addition, there are home-study courses that can qualify you for a job as a technician in the aerospace industry. Technicians may have to pass a security clearance before they can work on defense projects.

Companies That Hire Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technicians

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

In this interview, James J. Olschlager shares the toughest part (fuel leaks!) about maintaining F-16 fighter jets and his greatest memories.
This was the first F-16 I painted my name on. I guess it was sentimental more than anything. Plus this was one of the best flying jets I crewed. The pilots loved it. It was a great Air to Ground bomber. 
MSgt James J. Olschlager

Nature of the Work

The aerospace industry is based on aeronautics, the science of flight, and on astronautics, the science of space travel. Both aircraft and spacecraft are produced in this industry. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians construct, test, and maintain aircraft and space vehicles. They may work on rockets, missiles, helicopters, and airplanes. They may adjust test equipment for accuracy and determine causes of equipment malfunctions. Using computer and communications systems, aerospace engineering and operations technicians often record and interpret test data. Technicians in the aerospace industry may work on many kinds of projects.

Most aerospace engineering and operations technicians work for companies that build aircraft and space vehicles. These companies have contracts to build this equipment for private airlines or the federal government. Some aerospace engineering and operations technicians work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), universities, or research institutes. Although much of this industry is located on the west coast, some companies in the aerospace industry are located in the south or along the east coast.

Due to the complexity of the aerospace industry, there is great variety in the type of work available for technicians. Many technicians specialize in certain kinds of equipment, such as air intake valves for jet engines. Some spend several years working on small, one-of-a-kind parts used in spaceships. Others specialize in certain kinds of systems, such as hydraulic, electrical, or mechanical systems. They may also work with aircraft instruments, sheet metal, or landing gear.

No matter what kind of equipment they work on, aerospace engineering and operations technicians generally work as part of a team under the direction of scientists or engineers. Technicians perform much of the routine work, allowing the scientists and engineers to focus on tasks that make use of their more advanced training.

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians work in all phases of their industry including research and development, production, and sales. Some technicians prepare precise drawings or scale models. Others work with special instruments to take measurements, collect information, or perform laboratory tests. They may write reports, make cost estimates, or prepare plans for the manufacture of equipment. Some aerospace engineering and operations technicians work as field representatives. They offer assistance and advice to their company's customers, such as NASA or the armed services. Other technicians work as technical writers, preparing information for instruction manuals or catalogs.

Work Environment

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians usually work in modern, well-equipped plants, laboratories, or offices. At times they must work in small spaces, such as the inside sections of space vehicles. Production lines or testing centers can be very noisy. Workers are given ear protectors if the noise level is dangerous. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians sometimes work nights and weekends, but 35-40-hour weeks are standard. At times technicians must work longer hours to complete a project on time. When their projects are completed, aerospace engineering and operations technicians must find other jobs. They may have to move to a new area to find a job requiring their special skills.

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians generally work as part of a team that includes scientists, engineers, and technologists. They must be able to work well with others. They should also have an aptitude for science and mathematics and be able to concentrate on the details of their work. Technicians need to be responsible people who can work well with their hands. Some aerospace engineering and operations technicians belong to unions.

More Information

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