Also called: EB Welder, Electron Beam Machine Operator
Runs machines that weld jet engine and rocket parts with a beam of electrons inside a vacuum chamber.
You load a jet-engine part into a steel chamber, pump out the air, and program the electron beam’s path. Watching on a camera screen, you make a weld deeper and thinner than any torch could, then X-ray it for flaws.
Estimated; aerospace and defense employers.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Welding or machining associate degree plus on-the-job training.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Welding Technology, Machining Technology.
Growing faster than average. Aerospace, space and defense manufacturing are growing.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. The beam is computer-run already; setup, programming and inspection need skilled people.
Classes: Welding or machine shop, Physics, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-4122.
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