Occupation Details
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.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$49,910.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$64,160.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$72,380.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
27,210
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
29,050
+184 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
2,839
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Accelerometer sensors
- Accelerometers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air drills
- Air-supplying respirators
- Aligning punches
- Alignment squares
- Allen wrenches
- Annealing ovens
- Aviation snips
- Ball peen hammers
- Bench vises
- Bleeder wrenches
- Body harnesses
- Bore gauges
- Borescopes
- Bottoming taps
- Box end wrenches
- Brazing hearths
- Bubble emission inspection equipment
- Center punches
- Combination wrenches
- Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines
- Computerized numerical control CNC lathes
- Coordinate measuring machines CMM
- Countersinks
- Depth gauges
- Depth micrometers
- Digital calipers
- Digital force gauges
Technology
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache JMeter
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bugzilla
- C++
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Customer information control system CICS
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Data acquisition software
- Debugging software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Extensible markup language XML
- Graphical user interfaces GUI
- Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- develop plans for programs or projects
- operate industrial or nondestructive testing equipment
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate precision test equipment
- operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
- calculate engineering specifications
- explain complex mathematical information
- improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
- calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
- install electronic power, communication, control, or security equipment or systems
- install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
- maintain or repair computers or related equipment
- test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
- install electronic equipment, components, or systems
- repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
- set up electronic system test equipment
- communicate technical information
- conduct performance testing
- evaluate engineering data
- analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
- analyze engineering test data
- use aviation electronics
- use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
- use scientific research methodology
- use technical regulations for engineering problems
- use knowledge of metric system
- inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
- examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- develop or maintain databases
- understand engineering data or reports
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- read blueprints
- read schematics
- read technical drawings
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
- Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
- Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
- 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.
- Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.
- Design electrical and mechanical systems for avionic instrumentation applications.
- Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Aerospace Industries Association
The Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, space systems, aircraft engines, missiles, materiel, and related components, equipment, services, and information technology.
Learn MoreAll Engineering Schools
Engineers are essential to our lives as they help design and create everything from agriculture systems to household electronics and daily transportation. comprehensive online directory of accredited engineering colleges and engineering career resources. Check out All Engineering Schools to help you find the degree and education resources you need to realize your personal goals.
Learn MoreAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics encourages original research, furthers dissemination of new knowledge, fosters the professional development of those engaged in science and engineering, improves public understanding of aerospace and its contributions and fosters education in engineering and science.
Learn MoreCollege of SUNY Geneseo Young Scholar Adventures: Geneseo Summer Scholars
The Geneseo Summer scholars program is a wonderful opportunity for interested students entering grades 5 to 8 to take advantage of. Each student chooses two courses that interest them. The courses include Adventures in Science, Astronomy and Aerospace, Computer Art and Design and Web Site Design.
Learn MoreCornell University CATALYST Program
Cornell Association for the Technological Advancement of Learned Youth in Science and Technology CATALYST Program is a one-week summer residential program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds. CATALYST seeks to advance diversity in engineering and especially encourages members of groups underrepresented in the fields of math, science, and engineering (African American, Latino/a, or Native American) to apply.
Learn MoreCornell University CURIE Academy: For Girls Who Dream Big
The CURIE Academy is a one-week residential program for high school girls who excel in math and science, enjoy solving problems, and want to learn more about careers in engineering.
Learn MoreEngineering technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreEngineers Week
Engineers Week promotes recognition among parents, teachers and students of the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy, and motivates youths to pursue engineering careers in order to provide a diverse, vigorous and informed engineering workforce.
Learn MoreGreatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century
How many of the 20th century's greatest engineering achievements will you use today? A car? Computer? Telephone? Explore the Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century list of the top 20 achievements and learn how engineering shaped a century and changed the world.
Learn MoreMonroe Community College High School Engineering Competition
Monroe Community College High School Engineering Competition includes three events. SumoBots: design an electric powered SumoBot with the force to push an opponent's SumoBot off a round table having a 7-foot diameter. Auto Safety : design and build the lightest model car body that will protect 2 extra large eggs during a collision with a concrete block and have the styling and features that would make it an appealing choice to a car buyer. And Wooden Bridge: design and build a wooden bridge with a mass less than 25 grams that will support the maximum load at mid-span.
Learn MoreNASA Kids Page
Reliable information on space related topics that include art, stories, games and activities for kids.
Learn MoreNASA's Celestia Exploration Activity
Explore the wild and natural wonders of our celestial neighbors. Soar freely through the Solar System with NASA's Learning Technologies Celestia Exploration Activity. This highly interactive, richly engaging, and scientifically accurate website based on the Middle School National Science Education Standards for Solar System science
Learn MoreNASA's Get Into EdSpace
Edspace is the web site of NASA's Educator Astronaut Program. The site invites you to walk in the shoes of an astronaut to experience virtual training exercises and get behind the scenes to learn more about the people on Earth who make spaceflight possible. At Edspace, you can learn about how astronauts prepare for spaceflight, what it's like to live in space, and even take part in online projects.
Learn MoreNASA: Kids Page
Reliable information on space-related topics that include art, stories, games and activities for kids.
Learn MoreSUNY New Paltz Summer Camp: Mad Science NASA
Mad Science has sparked imaginative learning with their unique brand of engaging and educational live programs and activities. NASA - Learn how different kinds of flying machines work as you explore the principles that we use to move ourselves through the air. Launch several kinds of rockets and use tools for celestial navigation to track their flight path.
Learn MoreSpace Operations Specialists
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreTeachEngineering Resources for K12
Engineering is all around us. TeachEngineering Resources for K12 uses engineering as a vehicle to integrate math and science fundamentals. All lesson plans are based upon age-appropriate national and state science, technology, mathematics and engineering educational standards.
Learn MoreTeam America Rocketry Challenge
The Challenge: each team of students must design and build a model rocket carrying one hen egg that will fly to exactly 850 feet and stay aloft for exactly 45 seconds and return the egg uncracked. The qualifying selection flight demonstration is due April 9, 2007. Team sends in form if the flight is successful.
Learn MoreThe Observatorium
The Observatorium promotes improved public access to NASA's large repository of Earth and space science data, applications, and technologies. Pictures of the Earth, planets, stars, and other cool stuff, as well as the stories behind those images are found here.
Learn MoreTryEngineering.org
This resource for students,ages 8 to18, their parents, their teachers and their school counselors will find this portal about engineering and engineering careers, to be helpful for young people to better understand what engineering means, and how an engineering career can be made part of their future.
Learn MoreUS Space and Rocket Center
Cosmic fun for all at this museum! Get a true feel for the close quarters shared by astronauts in the APOLLO days as you sit inside the APOLLO cockpit Trainer. Reenter the earth's atmosphere as you land the Space Shuttle. These space travel simulators and hands on exhibits are unlike any other.
Learn MoreUS Space and Rocket Center Space Camp
Space Camp uses space to excite and educate children ages 9 to 11 in the fields of math, science and technology. Multi-Axis trainer, 5-Degrees of Freedom Chair, 1/6th Gravity Chair and the Manned Maneuvering Unit are a few of the experiences awaiting you!
Learn More