Air traffic safety technician
Also known as: air traffic safety hardware specialist, air traffic safety engineer, air traffic safety electronics hardware specialist, air traffic safety electronics technician, air traffic safety electronics engineer, air traffic safety software specialist
About this occupation
Air traffic safety technicians provide technical support regarding the safety of air traffic control and navigation systems. They design, maintain, install and operate these systems both in the airport and on board the aeroplane according to regulations.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use testing equipment
- ensure aircraft compliance with regulation
- comply with air traffic control operations
- technical drawings
- electrical systems used in transportation
- maintain electronic equipment
- install electrical and electronic equipment
- safety engineering
- air transport law
- aircraft flight control systems
- surveillance radars
- airport electrical systems
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (O*NET 17-3021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
- Typical education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Speaking
US median pay: US$82,890 a year (2025), 11,280 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.3)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- 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.
- 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.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Avionics Technicians
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Automotive Engineering Technicians
- Robotics Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.