Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

An aerospace engineering and operations technician could...

Overview Listen to this section

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians are essential to the development of new aircraft and space vehicles. They build, test, and maintain parts for air and spacecraft, and assemble, test, and maintain the vehicles as well. They are key members of a flight readiness team, preparing space vehicles for launch in clean rooms, and on the launch pad. They also help troubleshoot launch or flight failures by testing suspect parts.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician?

1. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
2. Quality Control Analysis: ? Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
3. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
4. Operation Monitoring: ? Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
5. 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.

6. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
7. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
8. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
9. Troubleshooting: ? Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
10. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technician might do:

• 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.