Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
SOC: 17-3021.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)
Operate, install, calibrate, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
AI Impact Summary
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 26/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2046 and 2076. Of 11 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$79,830
per year
Mean Wage
$86,330
per year
Employment
9K
workers
Wage Range
$53,730 - $120,440
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 25.3%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
11 tasks analyzed
Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
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.
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
Identify required data, data acquisition plans and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications. | Non-Routine Manual | 5 | 11.0 | 8% |
| Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions. | Non-Routine Manual | 10 | 13.0 | 12% |
| Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis. | Routine Cognitive | 80 | 81.2 | 10% |
| Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 12% |
| Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 15% |
| Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 12% |
| Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 25 | 25.0 | 10% |
| Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 8% |
| Identify required data, data acquisition plans and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications. | Non-Routine Analytical | 50 | 47.0 | 9% |
| Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation. | Routine Manual | 30 | 45.0 | 2% |
| Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles. | Routine Manual | 30 | 45.0 | 2% |
Community Assessment
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