Engineering Technician
Engineering Technician
Aerospace engineering technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft. Increasingly, they use computer-based modeling and simulation tools and processes in their work.
About the Career
New aircraft designs undergo years of testing before they are put into service because the failure of key parts during flight can be fatal. As part of the job, technicians often calibrate test equipment, such as wind tunnels, and determine causes of equipment malfunctions. They also may program and run computer simulations that test new designs.
On the job you will:
- Install instruments in aircraft and spacecraft
- Build and maintain test facilities for aircraft systems
- Build and install parts and systems to be tested
- Operate and calibrate computer systems to comply with test requirements
- Record data from test parts and assemblies
- Monitor and assure quality in systems that go into the aircraft
- Make sure that test procedures go smoothly and safely
Details
Average Salary: $65,640
Salary Range: $45,150 - $77,650
Education: 2 Year Degree
Outlook: Good (1% - 10% growth)
Total Jobs (2020)460
Education and Training
An associate’s degree is becoming increasingly desired by employers of aerospace engineering technicians, although vocational programs that grant certificates or diplomas also offer good preparation. Some aerospace engineering technicians work on projects that are related to national defense and thus require security clearances. U.S. citizenship may be required for certain types and levels of clearances.
Information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Descriptions are based on general guidelines and industry standards and job duties may vary by employer and specific industry. Labor projections utilize data for the North Central Texas region and may vary from national statistics.
Critical Skills
Communication
Critical-thinking
Detail oriented
Technical
