Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Aerospace Engineering Technician
What aerospace engineering technicians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an aerospace engineering technician?
Review the test plan. From there, the day usually includes build test setups, install sensors, and run tests. Full time, sometimes shifts around tests and launches.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an aerospace engineering technician working full time.
- Review the test plan.
- Install strain gauges.
- Wire data acquisition.
- Run a vibration test.
- Check data quality.
- Repair a fixture.
- Write the test log.
Where aerospace engineering technicians work
Technicians work in labs, test cells, hangars and launch sites.
Hours and schedule
Full time, sometimes shifts around tests and launches.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Build test setups
- Install sensors
- Run tests
- Record data
- Maintain test equipment
- Assemble prototypes
- Write test reports
Tools you’ll use every day
- Data acquisition systems
- Strain gauges
- Oscilloscopes
- Torque wrenches
- Vibration tables
- LabVIEW
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Two-year path
- Exciting work
- Good pay
What’s hard
- Clearance often required
- Test schedule pressure
- Shift work
- Noise
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love aerospace
- I like hands-on testing
- I’m detail-oriented
- I want a two-year path
- I like teamwork
- I want growing work
Not sure? Take the free Aerospace Engineering Technician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow test safety plans
- Wear hearing protection
- Prevent FOD
- Follow clean room rules