Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians meet with aerospace engineers about test procedures, build and maintain test facilities for aircraft systems, make and install parts to be tested, operate and calibrate computer systems for testing and manufacturing, record data from test parts, install instruments in aircraft and spacecraft, and monitor quality in the systems that go into aircraft.
The short answer: low exposure, with strong growth. The ILO's 2025 index rates the closest group, mechanical engineering technicians, as not exposed with a score of 0.26. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 1,100 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed aerospace engineering technicians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technicians | Not exposed | 0.26 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for aerospace engineering technicians, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians | Grow 12% | About 1,100 |
The BLS says technological advances have reduced the cost of launching satellites, and demand for these workers is expected to increase as space becomes more accessible, especially with innovations that make small satellites commercially viable. It adds that new types of aircraft, such as electric hybrids, and continued interest in drones are expected to support employment growth.
Where AI is helping
- Sorting and summarizing recorded test data, with results to check.
- Drafting test reports and procedure documents.
- Flagging readings that fall outside specifications.
What stays with aerospace engineering technicians
- Hands-on builds: making and installing parts and test equipment.
- Instruments: installing instruments in aircraft and spacecraft.
- Safe testing: making sure test procedures run smoothly and safely.
- Checking AI help: generated summaries of test data can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Cheaper satellite launches, new aircraft types and drones are pushing demand up, according to the BLS. The core of the job is still building, installing and testing real hardware. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace aerospace engineers?, will AI replace mechanical engineering technicians? and will AI replace electro-mechanical technicians?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for aerospace engineering and operations technicians at $82,890 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace aerospace engineering technicians?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 12 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 1,100 openings a year.
How exposed are aerospace engineering technicians to AI?
The closest ILO group, mechanical engineering technicians, is not exposed, with a score of 0.26.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to cheaper satellite launches, small satellites, new aircraft types such as electric hybrids, and interest in drones.
What do aerospace engineering technicians do?
They build and maintain test facilities, install parts and instruments, calibrate test systems, record test data and monitor quality.