Architecture & Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Also called: Avionics Installation Technician, Avionics Test Technician, Engineering Technician, Engineering Test Technician
US median pay
$82,890
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+11.9%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
1,100
11,600 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
- Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
- Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
- Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
- Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
- Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
- Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
- Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Quality Control Analysis3.8/5
- Operations Monitoring3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.5/5
- Troubleshooting3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.5/5
- Engineering and Technology4.3/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Production and Processing3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- English Language3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Post-secondary certificate39%
- Associate's degree33%
- High school diploma20%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.