What does an avionics technician do?
An avionics technician specializes in the installation, maintenance, and repair of aircraft tools and devices such as navigation, radar, radio, and other systems. They are primarily responsible for conducting regular testing and inspections for all devices, documenting every repair or change, replacing every defective or malfunctioning part, and assembling complex components. Furthermore, there are instances when technicians are required to weld and solder, even climb high places, during repairs.
Avionics technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real avionics technician resumes:
- Work regularly on the radar and GPS for helicopters while simultaneously dealing and managing supplies by keeping track of all equipment.
- Repair vhf, uhf, dme, lru, and radios.Uses various hand tools.
- Maintain GPS navigation systems, flight guidance controls, radar, entertainment systems, and aircraft self defense systems.
- Utilize aircraft technical manuals, and technical drawings to troubleshoot, and maintain aircraft systems in a flyable status.
- Test and troubleshoot avionics systems upon completion of modification process.
- License airframe and power plant technician responsible for aircraft avionics and electrical systems.
- Work with IFF, and UHF Crypto keys.
- Used PC to obtain blueprints using CATIA and SmarTeam.
- Work as night shift operations supervisor of HAZMAT warehouse.
- Collaborate with engineering on development of new SatCom system ;.
- Practice good housekeeping, tool control, FOD awareness/prevention, and safety at all times.
- Fabricate, terminate, rout and install wiring in corporate aircraft, including Gulfstream and Hawker-Siddley.
- Bench test subunits of radar, IFF, altimeters, and Doppler navigation to isolate malfunctions.
- Install avionics systems, rewire electrical cables, terminate and repair coax cables, RF cables and flex cables.
- Specialize in radio, radar, Doppler radar, IFF, altimeters, infrare cameras, and ECM gear.
Avionics technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Avionics Technicians are proficient in FAA, Hand Tools, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Avionics Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- FAA, 11%
Helped create and followed strict Parts Manufacturing Authorization guidelines and company procedures ensuring FAA regulations were met.
- Hand Tools, 10%
Adjusted and replaced defective or improperly functioning circuitry and electronic components, using hand tools and soldering iron.
- Electrical Systems, 7%
Team Leader for over 30 Avionics Technicians with supervision responsibility to direct assigned personnel and ensure the Avionics/Electrical systems stayed operational.
- Engineering Drawings, 4%
Installed wires and electrical components into electrical assemblies per engineering drawings and specifications, and by strictly following technical orders guidelines.
- Avionics Equipment, 4%
Repaired, modified, overhauled and tested avionics equipment Validated service bulletins and service information letters Collected fault data for engineering
- Maintenance Manuals, 4%
Performed the installation and functionally testing of electrical/avionics components and systems on aircraft per Engineering specifications, drawings and maintenance manuals.
"faa," "hand tools," and "electrical systems" are among the most common skills that avionics technicians use at work. You can find even more avionics technician responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an avionics technician to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanics and technicians need to adjust airplane parts to exact specifications." Avionics technicians often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "repaired systems which require detailed knowledge of operation, maintenance procedures, and soldering at the component level. "
Dexterity. Many avionics technician duties rely on dexterity. "mechanics and technicians need to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands in order to grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts.," so an avionics technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways avionics technician responsibilities rely on dexterity: "conducted hands on maintenance for a total of eight years, completing well over 2000 maintenance actions. "
The three companies that hire the most avionics technicians are:
- LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions74 avionics technicians jobs
- Aerotek28 avionics technicians jobs
- PDS Tech20 avionics technicians jobs
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Compare different avionics technicians
Avionics technician vs. Video system repairer
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an avionics technician are more likely to require skills like "faa," "hand tools," "engineering drawings," and "avionics equipment." On the other hand, a job as a video system repairer requires skills like "combat," "test equipment," "mos," and "quality control measures." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, video system repairers reach similar levels of education than avionics technicians. Video system repairers are 1.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Avionics technician vs. Armament mechanic
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, avionics technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "faa," "hand tools," "engineering drawings," and "avionics equipment." Meanwhile, an armament mechanic has duties that require skills in areas such as "aircraft maintenance," "direct support," "hydraulic systems," and "diagnostic techniques." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, armament mechanics achieve similar levels of education than avionics technicians. They're 3.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Avionics technician vs. Electric switch repairer
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, avionics technicians are more likely to have skills like "faa," "hand tools," "electrical systems," and "engineering drawings." But a electric switch repairer is more likely to have skills like "avionics systems," "cryptographic equipment," "ah-64d," and "mos."
When it comes to education, electric switch repairers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to avionics technicians. In fact, they're 1.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Avionics technician vs. Automatic pilot mechanic
Even though a few skill sets overlap between avionics technicians and automatic pilot mechanics, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an avionics technician might have more use for skills like "faa," "hand tools," "electrical systems," and "engineering drawings." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of automatic pilot mechanics require skills like "corporate aircraft," "powerplant," "airframe," and "aircraft maintenance. "
In general, automatic pilot mechanics hold higher degree levels compared to avionics technicians. Automatic pilot mechanics are 5.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of avionics technician
Updated January 8, 2025
