Aerospace Engineering Technician
What is the work like?
Aerospace or aeronautical engineering technicians design, build and test new aircraft and components, and service and repair existing fleets. They also work on all types of civil and military aircraft, as well as weapons systems and satellites.
As an aerospace engineering technician, you would normally work in one of two areas, although your duties may overlap:
- mechanics – building and servicing aircraft fuselage, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, such as wings, engines and landing gear
- avionics – installing and testing electrical and electronic systems used in navigation, communications and flight control.
Your tasks common to both areas would include:
- developing component plans using computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software
- investigating and testing solutions to engineering problems caused by weight, altitude, temperature and engine performance
- building and testing prototypes using computer simulations and physical models
- using prototypes to predict and refine the performance of aircraft systems.
You would also carry out line and base maintenance between flights. Line duties include pre-flight checks, refuelling and minor tasks. Base maintenance involves more stringent checks, fault diagnosis and repairs, and is carried out in the hangar.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may be able to start as a technician Apprentice with an airline operator, airline manufacturer or service engineering company. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
To be eligible for an Apprenticeship, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs (A-C), including maths, English and a science subject. Some employers may ask for one or two A levels in maths and science or equivalent qualifications.
As an alternative, you could take a college course to learn some of the skills required for this type of work. Courses are open to all age groups and include:
- Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificate and Diploma in Engineering (Aerospace)
- City & Guilds Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering levels 2 and 3.
Broader engineering courses like mechanical, electrical or production engineering, which cover areas like CNC machining, CAD work and electronics, may also be a useful way to gain some of the skills needed in this industry.
As most sites are out of town, you may need your own transport to get to work, especially when working shifts.
You can find details about careers, courses and entry routes into this industry, together with links to major national and international aerospace companies and suppliers, on the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) website. As well as checking industry websites and journals for vacancies, you could attend trade fairs and exhibitions to speak to companies face to face. Involvement in flying and gliding clubs is another way to make useful contacts.
See SEMTA and the Women into Science, Engineering and Construction websites below for more general information about engineering as a career. The Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) also has careers and course information for that area.
What further training and development can I do?
You would do most of your training on the job with day or block release at a college or training provider. You could work towards one of a number of NVQ qualifications including:
- Aeronautical Engineering levels 2 and 3
- Performing Engineering Operations levels 1 and 2
- Performing Manufacturing Operations levels 1 and 2.
You could also take a higher-level award such as the BTEC HNC/HND or degree in Aerospace Engineering. The careers section of the RAeS site has a comprehensive list of colleges and universities offering relevant qualifications.
As an experienced technician, you could register with the Engineering Council to gain EngTech status for professional development purposes.
Aerospace technicians responsible for maintenance must have a Part 66 licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under European Aviation Safety Agency regulations. See the Civil Aviation Authority licensing section for details.
Where can I go for more information?
2nd FloorWeston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1B 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0408
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282167
London
W1J 7BQ
Tel: 020 7670 4300
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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Electrical Engineering Technician
Mechanical Engineering Technician
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainees earn between £11,000 and £14,000 a year.
- Technicians with experience and qualifications can earn between £20,000 and £25,000.
- Senior technicians can earn up to £30,000 a year.
Bonuses and overtime payments may also be available.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, but this may be longer depending on the project and deadlines.
Your workplace could range from an office to a lab facility if you are involved in research, development or design. If you are working in production or maintenance, you will be based in a hangar. Production duties may also involve shiftwork.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in aircraft and flight technology
- good practical skills
- ability in maths, science and IT
- good communication skills
- an awareness of health and safety issues
- the ability to understand engineering drawings and principles
- a methodically approach to work
- attention to detail
- the ability to manage a varied workload
- good problem-solving skills
- good teamworking skills.
You will need skills in CAD/CAM software packages for design jobs.
What opportunities are there?
Your prospects as a qualified technician are good. Most jobs are with the armed forces, government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, aircraft manufacturers and suppliers, and related bodies, such as the CAA. Jobs are concentrated in the south-west, the south-east, and eastern England.
You can also find work with major airline operators, who often have their own maintenance divisions that employ technical staff. These tend to be located near to major UK airports.
Your options for career progression could include supervisory jobs or specialising in a particular field, for example aircraft design. With further training and experience, higher management and project management jobs may become available.
Areas of future growth within the industry include:
- research and development (especially aerodynamics and fuel efficiency)
- military electronics
- composite materials
- space-based telecommunications.
You could also use your skills and knowledge to move into other industries, which benefit from aerospace technology, such as vehicle manufacturing and electronics.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
SCENTA
The Engineer Online
Engineering Jobs Network
International Air Transport Association (list of airlines under the membership section)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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