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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Operate, install, adjust, 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.
Other titles employers use
Avionics Installation Technician · Avionics Test Technician · Engineering Technician · Engineering Test Technician · Flight Test Instrument Technician · Instrumentation Technician · Systems Test Technician · Test Technician
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.1 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 39%
- A two-year degree 33%
- High school or less 20%
- A four-year degree 8%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Operating system software
- Program testing software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Project management software
- Data base management system software
- Enterprise application integration software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,410
- Job openings each year
- 240
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 24.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2,410 | 240 | 24.2% |
| California | 1,800 | 170 | 20.0% |
| Ohio | 900 | 80 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 860 | 90 | 22.9% |
| Kansas | 840 | 80 | 13.5% |
| Alabama | 650 | 60 | 8.3% |
| Washington | 420 | 40 | 10.5% |
| Colorado | 390 | 40 | 25.8% |
| Maryland | 370 | 40 | 12.1% |
| Utah | 280 | 30 | 33.3% |
| Virginia | 240 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Oklahoma | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Arizona | 190 | 20 | 18.8% |
| Louisiana | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Connecticut | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 90 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Nebraska | 30 | 0 | — |
| Wisconsin | 20 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 642
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Degrees each year
- 329
- Admit rate
- 66%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 329
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 285
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 246
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 224
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Degrees each year
- 216
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 205
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Compare every college offering military systems and maintenance technology