Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

17-3021.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

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.

Also known as: Aerographer, Aerospace Assembler, Aerospace Engineering Technologist, Aerospace Mechanic, Aerospace Operations Technologist, Aerospace Physiological Technician, Aerospace Technician, Aircraft Research Mechanic, ...

Annual Salary

$79,830

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$64,570 25th – 75th percentile $102,220
10th percentile $53,730
90th percentile $120,440
U.S. Employment: 9,060

Job Outlook

+8.1%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Much faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 900 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Associate's degree

What You'd Do

  • Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
  • Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
  • Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
  • Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
  • Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
  • Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
  • Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
  • Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.
  • Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.

Top Skills

Critical Thinking 3.9
Reading Comprehension 3.8
Quality Control Analysis 3.8
Operations Monitoring 3.8
Active Listening 3.6
Speaking 3.6
Complex Problem Solving 3.5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Mechanical 4.5
Engineering and Technology 4.3
Mathematics 3.9
Production and Processing 3.8
Customer and Personal Service 3.7
English Language 3.4
Administrative 3.4
Physics 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Certificate
39.2%
Associate's
33.2%
High School
19.7%
Bachelor's
7.9%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Apache Hadoop Atlassian JIRA Autodesk AutoCAD C++ Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Extensible markup language XML JavaScript JUnit Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word Oracle Database Oracle Java Python Red Hat Enterprise Linux SAP software Selenium Structured query language SQL UNIX

Other Tools

Apache JMeter Bugzilla Computer aided design CAD software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.8
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.6
Cautiousness
2.1
Integrity
1.9
Intellectual Curiosity
1.8
Perseverance
1.7
Adaptability

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.9
Inductive Reasoning 3.9
Information Ordering 3.9
Near Vision 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Getting Information 4.6
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 4.5
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.5
Working with Computers 4.4
Documenting/Recording Information 4.4
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.3
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.3
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 4.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
5.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.9
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
E-Mail
4.7
Telephone Conversations
4.5
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.5
Time Pressure
4.5
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection
4.4
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.4
Frequency of Decision Making
4.3
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
4.1
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.1

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.