What You Need to Know About Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician
Position 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.
List of Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Job Duties
- Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.
- Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
- Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.
- Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
- Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
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What an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Should Know
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.
Other Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Job Titles
- Data Acquisition Technician
- Project Engineer
- Field Service Engineer
- Calibration Technician
- Wind Tunnel Technician
Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician Employment Estimates
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. The BLS estimates 1,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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

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
What kind of Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Aerospace Engineering or Operations Technician?

Where do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians Work?

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

References:
Image Credit:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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