Occupations/17-3021.00
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.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
60%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
50%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
61%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
- Mostly routine
Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
- Mostly routine
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
- 02Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
- 03Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
- 04Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
- 05Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
- 06Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.35
- Degree of automation1.79
- Time sitting3.12
- Originality (ability)2.88
- Conflict situations2.80
- Hands-on objects/tools4.11
- Outdoors / weather1.72
- Disease exposure1.00
- Decision freedom4.06
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Problem Sensitivity3.88
- Near Vision3.88
- Information Ordering3.88
- Inductive Reasoning3.88
- Deductive Reasoning3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.75
- Active Listening3.62
- Writing3.12
- Speaking3.62
- Mathematics3.00
- Science3.12
- Critical Thinking3.88
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 53 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0609 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr $106,421 2 yr — Associate · CIP 47.06 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $100,690 2 yr $90,856 Master's · CIP 14.02 |
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public | Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician 15.0801 | $4,600 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr — 2 yr $94,408 Master's · CIP 15.08 |
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $76,016 2 yr $76,460 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $75,204 2 yr $75,832 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $13,600 | 81% | 72% | 1 yr $73,378 2 yr $71,255 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $17,700 | 18% | 93% | 1 yr $72,651 2 yr $70,736 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $70,456 2 yr $60,072 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $11,800 | 17% | 91% | 1 yr $70,213 2 yr $69,983 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $6,400 | 23% | 89% | 1 yr $69,643 2 yr $68,965 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Astronautical Engineering 14.0202 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $69,606 2 yr $67,660 Bachelor's · CIP 14.02 |
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician 15.0303 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr $69,338 2 yr $69,221 Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |