What Do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Do? What are Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians?
What Do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Do? What are Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians? What is Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Occupational Code?
What Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Do
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.
Duties of a Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically do the following:
- Meet with aerospace engineers to discuss details and implications of test procedures
- Build and maintain test facilities for aircraft systems
- Make and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment
- Operate and calibrate computer systems so that they comply with test and manufacturing requirements
- Make sure that test procedures are performed smoothly and safely
- Record data from test parts and assemblies
- Install instruments in aircraft and spacecraft
- Monitor and ensure quality in producing systems that go into the aircraft
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.
Working Environment of Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians install instruments in aircraft and spacecraft.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians held about 11,300 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians were 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.
Work Schedules
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.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist or Technician
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work to prevent the failure of key parts of new aircraft, spacecraft, or missiles.
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.
Education
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.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to follow instructions from aerospace engineers. They also need to clearly convey problems to their supervisors.
Detail oriented. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians take precise measurements needed by aerospace engineers. In addition, they must keep accurate records of these measurements.
Interpersonal skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to work well with others. They interact with people from other divisions, businesses, and governments.
Math skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians use mathematics for measurement, analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks.
Mechanical skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians assist aerospace engineers by building what the engineers design. They need technical skills to guide processes 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.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
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.
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Occupational Code:17-3021
Pay
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Median annual wages, May 2021Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$73,580 Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians
$60,290 Total, all occupations
$45,760
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $73,580 in May 2021. 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.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were 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.
Job Outlook
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
6% Total, all occupations
5% Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians
0%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, 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.
Employment
Technological advances have reduced the cost of launching satellites. Demand for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is expected to increase as space becomes more accessible, especially with innovations that make small satellites commercially viable. New developments in types of aircrafts, such as electric hybrids, also are expected to drive an increase in employment. In addition, continued interest in drones is expected to support employment growth for these workers.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
| Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians | 17-3021 | 11,300 | 11,900 | 6 | 700 | Get data | |
| SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program | |||||||
State & Area Data
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
Projections Central
Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians.
| OCCUPATION | JOB DUTIES | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | 2021 MEDIAN PAY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineers | Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. | Bachelor’s degree | $122,270 | |
| Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians | Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. | See How to Become One | $65,550 | |
| Drafters | Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. | Associate’s degree | $60,290 | |
| Electro-mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians operate, test, and maintain electromechanical or robotic equipment. | Associate’s degree | $60,360 | |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production. | Associate’s degree | $60,220 | |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture machines and other devices. | Associate’s degree | $60,460 |