An associate’s degree or vocational training in the field of aerospace and aeronautical engineering is required to work as an operations technician. Although some positions in the field may require an undergraduate or master’s degree in aerospace engineering, the majority of technicians gain experience after completing an entry-level two-year degree. You should be interested in working with aerospace-based machinery and aircraft maintenance, assembly, and testing if you want to become an operations technician.
While the majority of the education needed to become an operations technician can be obtained through a combination of community college classes and on-the-job training, military service in one of your region’s armed forces is also an option. Individuals may go on to work as civilians in private companies or for the government after completing their military service. Working on aerospace defense projects for the government may require additional qualifications, such as security clearance approval, to become an operation technician. If you’re still in school and want to pursue this field, it’s important to have a strong foundation in math, science, electronics, and computer programming.
Regional professional organizations, such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, offer certification for operations technicians. Some regions may require certification, while others require certification only for aerospace engineers. A combination of an exam and required coursework makes up the certification process. Public and private sector organizations such as aerospace companies, the military, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration employ operations technicians (NASA). As technicians, the government employs both military personnel and civilian contractors.
To record test data for aircraft and machinery, address issues, and ensure functionality, operations technicians use industry tools and computers. As a technician, you’d assemble aircraft and construct diagnostic equipment alongside other members of the team and engineers. You’d be responsible for adjusting aircraft instrumentation panels and equipment, as well as creating and installing machinery parts. Working as an operations technician necessitates problem-solving, critical thinking, and dexterity skills.
Being an operations technician necessitates good teamwork due to the complex nature of aircraft assembly. In order to become an operations technician, interpersonal skills are almost as important as job knowledge and experience. In addition to assembling aircraft, technicians may collaborate with engineers to create technical specification reports and assist with laboratory testing of new equipment.