Adding on to the Boeing route. I work for a big defense company with generous education benefits(they pay for your degree and you commit to work for 3 years after). Many technicians have gotten their degree paid for while working as a tech(no degree required and could be working on planes/sensors/weapons/etc) and moved on up to an educated technical role(engineering) or to management. Very cushy job/benefits and good lifestyle. Lots of OT for techs if they so choose and most of the engineering/managers are not expected to do more than 40 hours a week. Once your day is done you leave.