All About Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Definition Operate, install, calibrate, 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.

Life As an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

• 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.
• Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
• Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
• 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.

Qualities of an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

These are the skills Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Types of Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Jobs

• Test Equipment Mechanic
• Flight Data Technician
• Flight Technician
• Radar Technician
• Aerographer

Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Job Outlook

In the United States, there were 12,100 jobs for Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 800 new jobs for Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,100 positions for Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician are Utah, Georgia, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Kansas, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Average Salary

The salary for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians ranges between about $42,610 and $100,310 a year.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians who work in Washington, Colorado, or Missouri, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$60,630
Arizona	$71,500
California	$68,410
Colorado	$84,190
Connecticut	$65,330
Florida	$62,050
Georgia	$50,930
Illinois	$58,500
Iowa	$57,170
Kansas	$66,870
Maryland	$71,760
Missouri	$76,630
New Jersey	$67,780
New Mexico	$73,570
New York	$75,070
Ohio	$67,210
Oklahoma	$66,120
Oregon	$65,440
Tennessee	$68,440
Texas	$66,960
Utah	$62,060
Virginia	$75,060
Washington	$93,740

What Tools & Technology do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• JavaScript
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Python
• Microsoft Access
• Word processing software
• Microsoft Project
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Structured query language SQL
• Linux
• Extensible markup language XML
• UNIX
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Computer aided design CAD software
• National Instruments LabVIEW
• Dassault Systemes CATIA

How to Become an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

Are there Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician?

Where Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians employed by various industries.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: via Creative Commons CC0

More about our data sources and methodologies.