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Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

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What is an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician?

Career Description 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

  • Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
  • Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
  • Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
  • Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
  • Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
  • Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.

What Every Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Should Know

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.

Types of Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

  • Radar Technician
  • Avionics Test Technician
  • Flight Readiness Technician
  • Test Technician
  • Engineering Test Specialist

Are There Job Opportunities 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. The BLS estimates 1,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician

The typical yearly salary for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians is somewhere between $42,610 and $100,310.

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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

Tools & Technologies Used by Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

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

What education or degrees do I need to become an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Are Employed

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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: via Creative Commons CC0

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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