Occupation · SOC 17-3021
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
462 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingTroubleshooting
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEngineering and TechnologyMathematicsProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Data base management system softwareObject or component oriented development softwareProject management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareProgram testing software
Representative tasks
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests andIdentify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conformInspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.Operate, test, and troubleshoot uncrewed aerial systems, commonly known as drones, to ensure optimal performance.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pre-operational checkout procedures — execute under direct supervision to verify aircraft system readiness before scheduled test runs in a controlled lab environment.Test equipment and instrumentation — identify and configure according to written setup specifications provided by senior technicians on the test floor.Hand tools and power tools — use under supervision to fabricate and install basic parts into test fixtures on entry-level aerospace assembly tasks.Test data on parts and assemblies — record manually or digitally using standardized forms and data sheets during routine inspection activities.Equipment malfunctions — recognize visual and audible indicators of faults in test setups during monitored operations and report findings to a supervisor.Technical manuals and engineering drawings — read and interpret to identify correct test parameters and component specifications on assigned tasks.Calibration procedures for measurement instruments — follow step-by-step written protocols under guidance to maintain compliance with test requirements.Engineering and technical terminology — apply foundational vocabulary when listening to and summarizing instructions from engineering staff during team briefings.Faulty components in test equipment — identify and flag for replacement by following diagnostic checklists under direct technician supervision.Data acquisition software interfaces — navigate and enter required inputs under instruction to support basic computer-based test data collection activities.
developing
Aircraft systems readiness tests — conduct pre- and post-operational checkouts with reduced oversight, following established test protocols in a production test environment.Test parameters and data acquisition plans — identify and document required specifications independently, configuring equipment to conform before initiating test runs.Computer systems and data acquisition devices — operate and calibrate routinely to meet test requirements, applying standard procedures across multiple test campaigns.Test setup malfunctions — diagnose using systematic inspection techniques and instrument readings, determining corrective action within familiar equipment types.Faulty test equipment components — adjust, repair, or replace using hand and power tools, restoring operational status with minimal guidance from senior staff.Test results on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms — interpret recorded data against design specifications and flag out-of-tolerance findings for engineering review.Engineering personnel — confer with to clarify test procedure details and communicate preliminary findings using accurate technical language in routine project meetings.Fabrication and installation of test components — perform using appropriate tooling and test instruments, following engineering drawings with limited supervision.Quality control checklists and inspection criteria — apply consistently during component and system evaluations to ensure compliance with aerospace standards.Project management and scheduling tools — use to track task progress and manage personal time commitments across concurrent test assignments.
proficient
Simulated operational conditions for aircraft systems — design and execute comprehensive readiness tests autonomously, establishing critical design or fabrication parameters for engineering review.Complex data acquisition plans — develop end-to-end, selecting instrumentation, defining test parameters, and configuring multi-channel data systems for non-routine aerospace test programs.Test setup and equipment health — diagnose and maintain across the full system lifecycle, resolving ambiguous malfunctions through systematic troubleshooting without supervisory input.Engineering implications of test results — analyze and communicate in technical reports and cross-functional meetings, translating data into actionable design feedback for engineering teams.Calibration compliance and measurement traceability — ensure across all test instruments and computer systems, independently resolving discrepancies against applicable aerospace standards.Non-standard or out-of-tolerance test data — evaluate using deductive and inductive reasoning to identify root causes, recommending corrective actions to engineering and quality teams.Fabrication and installation of complex test assemblies — execute with precision using advanced tooling and test instruments, interpreting ambiguous drawings to determine best-fit solutions.CAD and analytical software tools — use proficiently to review component geometry, model test configurations, and support quantitative analysis of experimental aerospace data.Test documentation and technical writing — produce detailed, clear, and accurate records of procedures, results, and anomalies that meet regulatory and program quality requirements.Systems analysis of integrated test environments — perform to evaluate overall test capability, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to test architecture for increased reliability.
advanced
Test program strategy and scope — define at the program or facility level, setting technical direction for aircraft systems verification campaigns aligned with organizational and customer objectives.Junior and mid-level technicians — mentor and develop through structured on-the-job coaching, knowledge transfer sessions, and performance feedback in an active aerospace test environment.Data acquisition architectures and test infrastructure — evaluate and lead upgrades to, selecting technologies and driving implementation to advance organizational test capability.Cross-functional engineering and operations teams — lead coordination with, translating complex test findings into strategic recommendations that influence design decisions at the program level.Test safety and quality standards — champion and enforce across the department, establishing protocols and conducting audits to ensure compliance with aerospace regulatory requirements.Complex, organization-wide test anomalies — resolve by applying advanced systems evaluation and judgment, integrating inputs from engineering, quality, and operations stakeholders.Enterprise resource planning and data management systems — oversee deployment and use within the test organization to ensure accurate configuration control and traceability of test assets.Technical documentation standards and reporting frameworks — establish for the team, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across all test program deliverables.Workforce planning and skill gap analysis — conduct for the technician organization, identifying training needs and partnering with leadership to build long-term competency pipelines.Emerging aerospace test technologies and methods — evaluate and integrate into existing operations, positioning the organization to meet evolving program demands and industry standards.
Also known as
29 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Flight Data TechnicianFlight TechnicianTest SpecialistFlight Test Data Acquisition TechnicianWind Tunnel TechnicianResearch MechanicTest TechnicianAerographerAircraft Research MechanicAerospace TechnicianAerospace AssemblerAvionics Test TechnicianFlight Test Instrument TechnicianEngineering SpecialistAvionics Installation TechnicianFlight-Test Data Acquisition TechnicianAerospace Physiological TechnicianSystems Test TechnicianEngineering Test TechnicianInstrumentation TechnicianTest Equipment MechanicAerospace Engineering TechnologistAerospace Operations TechnologistAerospace MechanicAltitude Chamber TechnicianWind Tunnel MechanicFlight Readiness TechnicianData Acquisition TechnicianEngineering Technician