Occupation

Avionics Technicians

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.5 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

Also Known As: Aircraft Armament Mechanic, Aircraft Avionics Tech (Aircraft Avionics Technician), Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist, Aircraft Electrician, Aircraft Instrument Mechanic, Aircraft Technician, Airplane Electrical Repairer, Airplane Electrician +25 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
  2. Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
  3. Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
  4. Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.
  5. Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
  6. Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
  7. Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.
  8. Connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons.
  9. Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
  10. Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.
  11. Fabricate parts and test aids as required.
  12. Assemble prototypes or models of circuits, instruments, and systems for use in testing.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
50%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
18%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
16%
Some College Courses
12%
Bachelor's Degree
3%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • C++
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Java
  • SAP software
  • UNIX
  • Workday software

Software (23)

  • Apache HTTP Server
  • Avionics system testing software
  • Computer diagnostic software
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Maintenance record software
  • Operating system software
  • Software development tools
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Technical Data Management System TDMS
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (67)

  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Alignment tools
  • Allen wrenches
  • Audio power meters
  • Ball peen hammers
  • Center punches
  • Circuit testers
  • Cold chisels
  • Combination wrenches
  • Component test sets
  • Crescent wrenches
  • Data bus readers
  • Desktop computers
  • Diagonal cutting pliers
  • Digital multimeters
  • Digital oscilloscopes
  • Duck bill pliers
  • Electrical current meters
  • End cut pliers
  • Frequency counters
  • Grounding equipment
  • Hacksaws
  • Hex wrenches
  • Inspection mirrors
  • Laboratory binocular microscopes
  • Ladders
  • Laptop computers
  • Longnose pliers
  • Magnifiers
  • Megohmmeters
  • Microwave power meters
  • Multimeters
  • Needlenose pliers
  • Nut drivers
  • Ohmmeters
  • Personal computers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Pin punches
  • Power drills
  • Power lifts
  • Programmable function generators
  • Protective ear muffs
  • Radio frequency RF wattmeters
  • Resistance bridges
  • Respirators
  • Riveting tools
  • Safety goggles
  • Signal generators
  • Signal simulators
  • Slip joint pliers
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Socket wrenches
  • Soft face hammers
  • Soldering irons
  • Spectrum analyzers
  • Steel rules
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Tension gauges
  • Time delay reflectometers TDR
  • Torque wrenches
  • Tweezers
  • Utility knives
  • Vernier calipers
  • Volt-ohm meters VOM
  • Voltmeters
  • Wire crimpers
  • Wire strippers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Air & Space Transportation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Avionics Technicians You are here

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