đŠī¸
Aerospace & Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
This job is about building, setting up, and running test hardware for aircraft and spacecraft systems, then turning the results into usable data for engineers. The work stands out because it mixes hands-on mechanical fixes with careful measurement and computer-based analysis, so one bad connection or calibration can throw off an entire test. The tradeoff is that the pay is solid, but the work is exacting, mostly on-site, and unforgiving when hardware or test procedures are wrong.
Also known as Aerospace TechnicianAerospace Engineering TechnicianAerospace Test TechnicianFlight Test TechnicianAerospace Systems Technician
Median Salary
$79,830
Mean $86,330
U.S. Workforce
~9K
0.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+8.1%
9.3K to 10.1K
Entry Education
Associate's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~9K workers, with a median annual pay of $79,830 and roughly 0.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 9.3 K in 2024 to 10.1K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Post-Secondary Certificate, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Entry-Level Test Technician and can progress toward Senior Aerospace Test Specialist. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, and Test Equipment Calibration & Instrument Setup, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Build and install test parts, fixtures, and equipment using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
- Set up sensors, computers, and data-collection systems so tests capture the right readings.
- Run aircraft or component tests under simulated operating conditions and log the results.
- Check test rigs for faults, then repair or replace broken parts so testing can continue.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Build and install test parts, fixtures, and equipment using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
02 Set up sensors, computers, and data-collection systems so tests capture the right readings.
03 Run aircraft or component tests under simulated operating conditions and log the results.
04 Check test rigs for faults, then repair or replace broken parts so testing can continue.
05 Review test data and turn it into notes or reports engineers can use to adjust designs or procedures.
06 Work with engineers and other technicians to explain test results, confirm requirements, and decide what to test next.
Industries That Hire
đ
Space Launch & Satellites
SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab
âī¸
Aircraft Manufacturing
Airbus, Gulfstream Aerospace, Embraer
đī¸
Government & National Labs
NASA, U.S. Air Force, Sandia National Laboratories
đ§
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul
AAR, StandardAero, Delta TechOps
Pros and Cons
Advantages
+
The pay is strong for a technician role, with median annual pay at $79,830 and mean pay at $86,330.
+
You get real hands-on work with advanced hardware instead of sitting in a desk-only job all day.
+
The job has a relatively clear entry route: BLS says no work experience is required and no on-the-job training is required.
+
The work is varied, combining mechanical assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and data review.
+
You can build skills that transfer across aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and flight-test teams.
Challenges
-
Growth is modest, at 8.1% through 2034, and the occupation is expected to add only about 0.9 thousand openings a year, so openings can be competitive.
-
Most of the work has to be done on-site around test hardware, labs, hangars, or ranges, so remote work is rare.
-
The job can be unforgiving: a small wiring mistake, bad calibration, or loose part can ruin a test or damage expensive equipment.
-
Career growth can plateau unless you move into engineering, supervision, or a more specialized test niche.
-
Hiring can rise and fall with aerospace production, defense budgets, and launch schedules, so demand is not evenly steady.
Career Progression
Entry-Level Test Technician
0-2 years
$48K-$62K
You learn the test setup, help build fixtures, collect readings, and handle routine checks while a senior technician or engineer reviews your work.
Aerospace Technician
2-5 years
$63K-$78K
You run more of the test process yourself, troubleshoot equipment problems, and keep detailed records that engineers use to adjust designs.
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$79K-$95K
You manage complex test setups, interpret data, and work closely with engineers to refine aircraft or spacecraft systems.
Senior Aerospace Test Specialist
9+ years
$96K-$120K
You lead difficult test programs, solve equipment or design issues, and often guide less experienced technicians through critical procedures.
Education Paths
Post-Secondary Certificate
The most common formal education path, held by 39.23% of workers in this role, usually focuses on hands-on electronics, testing, and maintenance.
Associate's Degree
BLS lists this as the typical entry point, and it fits well for community-college programs in engineering technology and aerospace support.
High School Diploma plus Technical Training
A smaller share of workers, 19.69%, report a high school diploma as their highest formal education, usually paired with specialized training or military experience.
Bachelor's Degree
An alternative path for 7.92% of workers, especially for people aiming to move faster into more advanced testing or engineering support roles.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 75%
Quality Control Analysis 75%
Test Equipment Calibration & Instrument Setup 74%
LabVIEW, Data Acquisition Systems & Test Automation 73%
Aircraft Systems Diagnostics & Troubleshooting 72%
Oscilloscopes, Multimeters & Precision Test Instruments 71%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision Making Job Outlook and Trends
+8.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 9.3K to 10.1 K over the next decade, representing 8.1% growth. Around 0.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.