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, 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 27/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 25% of all analyzed occupations. Of 12 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering 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 (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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.
Equipment Maintenance 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.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
12 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.
Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
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.
Design electrical and mechanical systems used for avionic instrumentation applications.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 12% | |
| Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 10% | |
| Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 12% | |
| Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 10% | |
| Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 10% | |
| Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 10% | |
| Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Identify required data, data acquisition plans and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Design electrical and mechanical systems used for avionic instrumentation applications. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.5%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
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
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsRobotics Technicians
28%Median salary: $70,760
Higher risk than 31% of other occupations
Electronics Engineering Technologists
29%Median salary: $77,390
Higher risk than 32% of other occupations
Mechanical Engineers
30%Median salary: $102,320
Higher risk than 41% of other occupations
Mechanical Engineering Technicians
31%Median salary: $68,730
Higher risk than 46% of other occupations
Logistics Engineers
31%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 47% of other occupations
Photonics Engineers
33%Median salary: $117,750
Higher risk than 54% of other occupations
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
33%Median salary: $127,590
Higher risk than 58% of other occupations
Electrical Engineers
34%Median salary: $111,910
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
35%Median salary: $77,390
Higher risk than 65% of other occupations
Industrial Engineers
36%Median salary: $101,140
Higher risk than 68% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering 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.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- 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.
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.
- Monitoring
Monitoring 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.
Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change