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Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

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What Does it Take to Be an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician?

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.

Daily Life Of 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.
  • Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
  • Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.
  • Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.
  • Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
  • Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.

Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Needed Skills

When polled, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

  • Engineering Technician
  • Flight Technician
  • Spacecraft Systems Engineer
  • Test Technician
  • Flight Data Technician

Is There Job Demand for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians?

There were about 12,100 jobs for Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

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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.

Average Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Salary

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians make between $42,610 and $100,310 a year.

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

How much do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians make 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 do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians:

  • 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

Becoming an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

Individuals working as an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician have obtained the following education levels:

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

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Who Employs Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians?

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

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References:

Image Credit: via Creative Commons CC0

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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