R&D Technician - Aerospace Systems

Location

Garden City, NY

Wage

$70,000 – $75,000/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

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Posted on September 11, 2026

Job Description

Overview

The R&D Technician, Aerospace Systems is responsible for the assembly, integration, instrumentation, testing, and troubleshooting of advanced aerospace hardware and subsystems. The role involves transforming design concepts into functional prototypes and validating system performance in various environments.

Responsibilities

  • Assemble, integrate, and support testing of aerospace components, subsystems, and prototype hardware.
  • Install and configure sensors, instrumentation, wiring harnesses, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems.
  • Execute laboratory, environmental, qualification, and field tests on aerospace development programs.
  • Perform troubleshooting and diagnostics of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and instrumentation systems.
  • Conduct functional, performance, and reliability testing to verify design requirements and engineering specifications.
  • Fabricate, modify, and maintain test fixtures, tooling, ground support equipment, and laboratory apparatus.
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to identify root causes of failures and implement corrective actions.
  • Maintain test equipment calibration, laboratory assets, and engineering documentation in accordance with company and industry standards.
  • Support system integration activities, including hardware checkout, verification, and readiness testing.

Requirements

  • Associate degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, or related technical discipline; equivalent military or industry experience will also be considered.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, propulsion, fluid systems, or other high-reliability engineering environments.
  • Significant experience with assembly, integration, testing, and operation of fluid-mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or propulsion-related systems.
  • Hands-on proficiency using fabrication tools, machine shop equipment, instrumentation, and laboratory test systems.
  • Working knowledge of aerospace development, manufacturing, qualification, and verification testing processes.
  • Strong hands-on experience with aerospace, electromechanical, or high-reliability hardware assembly and testing.
  • Proficiency with instrumentation including pressure, temperature, flow, strain, vibration, and electrical measurements.
  • Experience wiring, terminating, troubleshooting, and validating electrical and sensor systems.
  • Ability to diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and basic electrical issues using structured troubleshooting techniques.
  • Familiarity with data acquisition systems, sensor calibration, and test automation tools.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and test procedures.

Additional Information

  • Due to contracts with the United States Government, the candidate must be either a US Citizen or Green card holder.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and to reduce costs.

How this job compares in Garden City, NY

Pay in context

At roughly $35/hr, this posting sits about 16% above the $30/hr median for welding jobs across New York — toward the top of a $26–$38/hr middle band drawn from 106 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 64% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Garden City, NY

Garden City, NY is a small market in our index: 1 other active welding opening alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across New York as a whole we're tracking 184 other active welding openings from 123 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across New York.

AMETEK currently has 1 other opening live in New York, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in New York at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Welding Shop in New York, NY (17), Philips (6), and GE Aerospace (5). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within New York, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are New York at $45/hr, Brooklyn at $30/hr, and Latham at $24/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Garden City, NY

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. R&D Technician - Aerospace Systems figures were last recalculated when this page was built.