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Aerospace engineering technician

Alternative titles for this job include

Aerospace engineering technicians design, build, test and repair civil and military aircraft.

Average salary (a year)

£24,500 Starter

to

£43,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an aerospace engineering technician

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering to get into this career.

Relevant subjects include:

  • aeronautical engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • electrical or electronics engineering
  • avionics

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

More Information

College

You could do an engineering course that would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this job.

General engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering courses are useful as well as more specialist courses like:

  • Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering
  • Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can do an Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or an Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in aerospace engineering from Careers in Aerospace and Tomorrow's Engineers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • maths skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could work on the mechanics of an aircraft or the avionics which is the electrical and electronic systems.

As an aerospace engineering technician, you could:

  • build and service the main body of an aircraft
  • create and test wings, engines and landing gear
  • install and test systems used in navigation, communications and flight control
  • investigate and test solutions to engineering problems
  • use prototypes to predict and improve how well aircraft systems perform
  • use computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software

Working environment

You could work in an aircraft hangar, on an aircraft, in a factory, in an office or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be cramped.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • become a supervisor
  • manage a project
  • specialise in a particular area, like aircraft design

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Engineering Technician Mechatronics Apprentice

  • Wage: £19,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Heartlands Business Park, Newnham Drive, Northampton

Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,562.76 Annually
  • Location: Mammoth Street, Coalville
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) - BEng Hons Degree (Full-time)

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 12 September 2023
  • Location: Blackpool

L2 Aerospace and Aviation Engineering Competence Diploma

  • Provider: FAREHAM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Lee On Solent
Find courses near you

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