What They Do: Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians run and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft.
Work Environment: Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians usually work in manufacturing plants, laboratories, and offices. Most work full time.
How to Become One: Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program.
Salary: The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is $73,580.
Job Outlook: Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians install, run, and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft. Their work is critical to ensuring the safety and precision of key parts of these vehicles and systems.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically do the following:
New aircraft designs undergo years of testing before they are put into service. As part of the job, technologists and technicians often calibrate test equipment, such as wind tunnels, and determine the causes of equipment malfunctions. They also may program and run computer simulations that test the new designs.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians hold about 11,300 jobs. The largest employers of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are as follows:
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 39% |
| Engineering services | 22% |
| Scientific research and development services | 9% |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 4% |
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians who work in manufacturing or industrial plants are frequently involved in assembly.
Most aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work full time. Depending on the employer or project, they may work in shifts or be required to work overtime.
Get the education you need: Find schools for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians near you!
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program. Some aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must have security clearances to work on projects related to national defense. U.S. citizenship may be required for certain types and levels of clearance.
High school students interested in becoming an aerospace engineering and operations technologist or technician should take classes in math, science, and, if available, drafting and information technology.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program. Associate’s degree and certificate programs are available at community colleges or vocational–technical schools.
Communication skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians receive instructions from aerospace engineers. Therefore, they must be able to understand and follow those instructions, as well as communicate any problems to their supervisors.
Critical-thinking skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to help aerospace engineers troubleshoot particular design issues. They must be able to help evaluate system capabilities, identify problems, formulate the right question, and then find the right answer.
Detail oriented. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians make and keep precise measurements needed by aerospace engineers. In addition, they keep accurate records of these measurements.
Interpersonal skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to take instructions and offer advice. The ability to work well with supervising engineers, other technicians, and mechanics is essential because technicians interact with people from other divisions, businesses, and governments.
Math skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians use the principles of mathematics for measurement, analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks in their work.
Mechanical skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to assist aerospace engineers by building what the engineers design. Mechanical skills are needed to help with the processes and directions required to move from design to production.
Problem-solving skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians help aerospace engineers troubleshoot design issues. They must be able to help evaluate system capabilities, formulate questions, and then find the answers.
Although not required for the job, SpaceTEC, the National Science Foundation’s Center for Aerospace Technical Education, offers the Certified Aerospace Technician Core Certification. Recertification is required every 3 years.
The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is $73,580. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,040, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,260.
The median annual wages for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | $77,800 |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | $74,410 |
| Engineering services | $62,730 |
| Scientific research and development services | $62,410 |
Most aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work full time. Depending on the employer or project, they may work in shifts or be required to work overtime.
Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 1,200 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Most employment growth for these workers will be in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians | 11,300 | 11,900 | 6 | 700 |
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A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.