Aerospace Engineering Technician

Job Description:

Aerospace engineering technicians design, build, test and repair civil and military aircraft.

Job Category:

Aerospace & Defence

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What you will do:

You could work on the mechanics of the aircraft or the electrical and electronic systems or ‘avionics’. You may:

build and service aircraft fuselage
create and test hydraulic and pneumatic systems, like wings, engines and landing gear
install and test electrical and electronic systems used in navigation, communications and flight control
use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software
investigate and test solutions to engineering problems
build and test prototypes
use prototypes to predict and improve the performance of aircraft systems

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of engineering science and technology
maths skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to use your initiative
persistence and determination (drive)
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to work well with others (teamwork)

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship

University
You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering to get into this career. Relevant subjects include:

aeronautical engineering
mechanical engineering
electrical or electronics engineering
avionics

College
You could do an engineering course that would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this job. General engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering courses are useful as well as more specialist courses like:

Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering
Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Manufacture
T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Apprenticeship
You can do an advanced engineering technician apprenticeship or an engineering manufacturing technician higher apprenticeship.

School Subjects

To become an Aerospace Engineering Technician in the UK, you should focus on GCSE subjects that provide a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) such as:

Mathematics: Mathematics is a core subject for engineering disciplines, including Aerospace Engineering. It is crucial for complex calculations, problem-solving, and data analysis involved in aerospace engineering tasks.
Physics: Physics provides fundamental principles related to mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics, which are essential in understanding aerospace systems.
Design and Technology: This subject can provide insights into engineering design principles, materials, and manufacturing techniques used in the aerospace industry.
ICT (Information and Communication Technology): Familiarity with digital tools and software is essential for data analysis, simulations, and computer-aided design (CAD) in aerospace engineering.
English: Strong communication skills are important for understanding technical documents and collaborating with engineers and colleagues.

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in an aircraft hangar, on an aircraft, in a factory, in an office or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be cramped.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could move into supervisory, project management and higher management roles, or specialise in a particular field, like aircraft design.

Aerospace Engineering Technician