Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians

Operate, install, adjust, 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 Resistance Index 77 of 99

More resilient than most: more resilient than 77% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +11.9% by 2035, much faster than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and physical dexterity.

AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.

Median pay (2025): $82,890
Job growth to 2035: +11.9%
Openings a year: 1,100
People doing it (2025): 11,600
Usual route in: Associate's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Document technical designs, procedures, or activities
Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment
Analyze performance of systems or equipment

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment
Fabricate devices or components
Install commercial or production equipment

What the work looks like

Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

More of these jobs, as new aerospace products such as small satellites and drones require testing to comply with FAA regulations.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayHuman edge, growing, Index 89, +9.7%
Medical equipment repairersHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +12.6%
Forensic science techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +13.3%
Avionics techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 84, +9.4%

Also known as: Engineering Technician, Instrumentation Technician, Systems Test Technician, Test Technician, Avionics Installation Technician, Avionics Test Technician, Engineering Test Technician, Flight Test Instrument Technician.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.