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Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician

Also called: Engineering Technician, Instrumentation Technician, Systems Test Technician, Test Technician

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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Science & engineering support
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Median pay
$134,960/yr
Typical range
$86,700 – $205,890
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician do?

  • 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.

How to become an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician

Training: A certificate after high school or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problemReading work related informationNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itThinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best oneFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Cautiousness
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Intellectual Curiosity

Tools and technology

JUnitSeleniumMicrosoft PowerPointRed Hat Enterprise LinuxUNIX

Questions people ask

How much does an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician make?

About $134,960 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $86,700 and $205,890. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician?

No four-year degree is needed. A certificate after high school or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologist & Technician a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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