Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

Operate, install, calibrate, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

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.

1. Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.

2. Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.

3. Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.

4. Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.

5. Identify required data, data acquisition plans and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.

6. Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.

7. Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.

8. Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.

9. Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.

10. Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.

11. Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.

Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

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.

Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

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.

Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

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.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$39,710 for entry level workers, and $56,260 for experienced workers.

Cornell 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.

Monroe 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.

US 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!

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.

Team 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.

NASA'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

Cornell 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.

Engineering 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.

NASA: Kids Page - Reliable information on space-related topics that include art, stories, games and activities for kids.

NASA'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.

Engineers 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.

SUNY 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.

Greatest 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.

NASA Kids Page - Reliable information on space related topics that include art, stories, games and activities for kids.

US 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.

College 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.

The 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.

All 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.

TryEngineering.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.

Space Operations Specialists - Visit this link for information on this career in the military.

American 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.

TeachEngineering 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.

Marine Engineers - Design, develop, and take responsibility for the installation of ship machinery and related equipment including propulsion machines and power supply systems.

Astronomers - Observe, research, and interpret celestial and astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge and apply such information to practical problems.

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers - Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment - Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic - Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects.