aircraft engine tester
Aircraft engine testers test the performance of all engines used for aircraft in specialised facilities such as laboratories.They position or give directions to workers positioning engines on the test stand. They use hand tools and machinery to position and connect the engine to the test stand. They use computerised equipment to enter, read and record test data such as temperature, speed, fuel consumption, oil and exhaust pressure.
aircraft engine tester aircraft engine testers test the performance of all engines used for aircraft in specialised facilities such as laboratories.They position or give directions to workers positioning engines on the test stand. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include operation of different engines, electromechanics, aircraft mechanics, engineering processes, common aviation safety regulations.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £44,843 a year for Engineering technicians (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £35,086 to £55,963 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3113). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only aircraft engine tester, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
What you'd actually do
- Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
- Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
- Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
- Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
- Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
- Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does aircraft engine tester do?
Aircraft engine testers test the performance of all engines used for aircraft in specialised facilities such as laboratories.They position or give directions to workers positioning engines on the test stand. They use hand tools and machinery to position and connect the engine to the test stand. They use computerised equipment to enter, read and record test data such as temperature, speed, fuel consumption, oil and exhaust pressure.
What skills does aircraft engine tester need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include operation of different engines, electromechanics, aircraft mechanics, engineering processes, common aviation safety regulations, mechanics. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace aircraft engine tester?
Our AI-durability model gives aircraft engine tester a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.