Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

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 was $82,890 in May 2025.

Job Outlook: Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than 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.

Following is everything you need to know about a career as an aerospace engineering and operations technologist or technician with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:

Top 3 Aerospace Engineering Technicians Jobs

• Cleared Engineering Operations Technician, ADC InfraOps DCEO - Amazon Data Services - Hilliard,OH

  The Data Center Engineering Operations Technician (EOT) are Amazon's front line responders for hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and operation. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, stand-by diesel generators,...

• Metal Manufacturing Engineer - Tracewell Systems - Lewis Center,OH

  At Tracewell Systems, we bring together creative minds and cutting-edge technology to engineer solutions that meet tomorrow's challenges — today. For over four decades, we've partnered with the world's leading tech innovators to deliver...

• Engineering Technician - Manpower Engineering - Dublin,OH

  Our client is seeking an Assembly Technician to join their team. The Assembly Technician will be responsible for the assembly of mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, refrigeration, and electrical components to specification and to check products using...

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Top 3 Aerospace Operations Technicians Jobs

• Service Technician - Morgan Properties - Grove City,OH

  Service Technician – 120-Unit Community | Grove City, OHFix it. Fine-tune it. Keep a community running right. Morgan Properties is hiring a Part-Time...

• Diagnostic Automotive Technician | $30–$55/HR | No Weekends - Promotive - Columbus,OH

  Location: Upper Arlington, OH Schedule: Monday–Friday | No weekends Pay Rate: $30–$55 per flagged hour (Flat Rate) Pay Schedule: Twice Monthly...

• Distribution Shipping Clerk - 1st Shift 7:00am - 3:30pm (Mon – Fri) - Columbus, OH - Abbott Laboratories - Columbus,OH

  Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices,...

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What Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Do[About this section] [To Top]

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 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.

Work Environment for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians[About this section] [To Top]

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.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician 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[About this section] [To Top]

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.

Education for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

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 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

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.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

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 Technologist and Technician Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]

Salary and job outlook data updated October 2026 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 wages, 2025-35 employment projections).

The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890 in May 2025. 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 $59,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $125,160.

In May 2025, 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	$94,910
Computer and electronic product manufacturing	$81,820
Scientific research and development services	$78,580
Engineering services	$77,260

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 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians[About this section] [To Top]

Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 1,100 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.

Careers Related to Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians[About this section] [To Top]

Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

Drafters

Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.

Electro-mechanical Technicians

Electro-mechanical technicians combine knowledge of mechanical technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuits. They operate, test, and maintain unmanned, automated, robotic, or electromechanical equipment.

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians assist industrial engineers in devising efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. They prepare machinery and equipment layouts, plan workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates, and report their findings.

More Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician Information[About this section] [To Top]

For more information about careers in engineering, visit

Technology Student Association

For more information about certification, visit

Federal Aviation Administration

SpaceTEC