Aerospace Engineering Technician onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: NASA workmanship standards, IPC certifications (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: data acquisition systems; strain gauges; oscilloscopes; torque wrenches
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Aerospace Engineering Technician training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Follow test safety plans
Wear hearing protection
Prevent FOD
Follow clean room rules
Shadow an experienced aerospace engineering technician through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: install a strain gauge
Supervised practice: run a test procedure step by step
Supervised practice: check data quality during a test
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Build test setups: independently
Install sensors: independently
Run tests: independently
Record data: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, NASA workmanship standards)
Discuss the career path: Technician → Senior Technician → Test Lead
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Install a Strain Gauge
Run a Test Procedure Step by Step
Check Data Quality During a Test
Test setup
Instrumentation
Data acquisition
Wiring

How to measure onboarding success

Time to independent work on instruments or projects
Documentation or data corrections required
Rework, out-of-spec results or failed audits
90-day retention

How Aerospace Engineering Technician training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Aerospace Engineering Technician Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Aerospace Engineering Technician Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Aerospace Engineering Technician Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Aerospace Engineering Technician Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)