Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.022K · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 22KCareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.22K.R.04
22K · ARMY · EnlistedHawk Missile System
Hawk Missile System
Repairer.
Army 22K (Hawk Missile System Repairer). 1,050 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,050DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 30 semester hours in electronics, mechanics, and engineering technologies.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 22K background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 22K training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Hawk Missile System Diagnostics→ Software debugging and troubleshooting
- 02Technical Manual Interpretation→ Reading and understanding technical documentation and specifications
- 03Hydraulic/Mechanical Systems Maintenance→ Understanding of complex system interactions
- 04Test Equipment Operation and Maintenance→ Using testing tools and equipment to identify and resolve issues
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to established protocols and regulations in software development and deployment
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python programming+Test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Cypress)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Linux system administration fundamentals+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS)+Scripting with Bash or Python+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)+Remote desktop support tools (e.g., TeamViewer, AnyDesk)
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Field Service Technician
$70KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific product training
- — Excellent customer service skills
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) certification
- — Knowledge of specific industrial equipment
Quality Control Inspector
$55KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certification
- — Familiarity with ISO 9000 standards
Technical Trainer
$72KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design principles
- — Excellent presentation and communication skills
- — Curriculum Development Certification
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 22K training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a Hawk missile launcher repairman, you constantly worked with complex electromechanical systems, understanding how each component interacted to ensure the entire system functioned flawlessly. You could predict how changes in one area would affect others.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates directly into roles where you need to grasp the big picture and anticipate how different elements interact to achieve a common goal.
Rapid Prioritization
You were responsible for quickly assessing malfunctions, determining the severity, and prioritizing repairs based on mission criticality and available resources. This required swift, decisive action under pressure.
Transfers to
Your experience in rapidly prioritizing tasks and making critical decisions under pressure is highly valuable in fast-paced civilian environments where quick thinking and efficient resource allocation are essential.
Procedural Compliance
Your job demanded strict adherence to technical manuals, safety protocols, and maintenance procedures to ensure the Hawk missile system operated safely and effectively. There was no room for deviation from established protocols.
Transfers to
Your meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to following established procedures are highly sought after in industries where safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance are paramount.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained operational readiness even when facing equipment malfunctions or limited resources. You were adept at finding workarounds and improvising solutions to keep the missile system functional under challenging conditions.
Transfers to
Your ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and maintain operational effectiveness in degraded-mode scenarios is a valuable asset in civilian roles where problem-solving and resourcefulness are essential.
After-Action Analysis
You conducted thorough post-maintenance checks and performance evaluations to identify areas for improvement and prevent future malfunctions. This involved meticulous documentation and analysis of system performance.
Transfers to
Your experience in conducting after-action analyses and identifying areas for improvement is highly transferable to civilian roles where continuous improvement, quality assurance, and process optimization are critical.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Robotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've been hands-on with advanced missile systems, troubleshooting complex electromechanical issues. This makes you perfectly suited to diagnose, repair, and maintain the sophisticated robots used in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9081You're skilled in maintaining complex mechanical and electrical systems in challenging environments. Wind turbines require similar skills for upkeep and repair, often in remote locations, which you're well-prepared for.
Adjacent · MatchAmusement Park Ride Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You're adept at ensuring the safety and reliability of complex machinery. As an amusement park ride mechanic, you'll use your troubleshooting and maintenance skills to keep thrill rides running smoothly and safely for the public.
Adjacent · MatchBuilding Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9021Your experience with complex electronic and mechanical systems translates well to managing and maintaining building automation systems. You'll ensure the efficient operation of HVAC, lighting, and security systems in commercial buildings.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Hawk Missile System Maintenance Course
Fort Sill, OK1,050hHours
26wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 30 semester hours in electronics, mechanics, and engineering technologies.
Topics · 8
- Basic Electronics Theory
- Hydraulic Systems Maintenance
- Mechanical Systems Repair
- Hawk Missile System Overview
- Launcher System Diagnostics
- Test Equipment Operation and Maintenance
- Technical Manual Interpretation
- Supply and Maintenance Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Focus on broader electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques beyond missile systems, and current industry standards.
- ETA International: Missile Systems Technician (MST)60%
Specific missile systems knowledge outside of the Hawk system, broader electronics principles, and advanced troubleshooting.
Recommended next · 04
- CompTIA A+Adjacent
- CompTIA Network+Adjacent
- Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Hawk Missile System | Surface-to-air missile defense systems | Weapons |
| AN/MPQ-61 High Power Illuminator Radar (HIPIR) | High-powered radar systems for target tracking | Signals |
| AN/MPQ-62 Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (CWAR) | Continuous wave radar systems for target acquisition | Signals |
| AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar | Air defense radar systems | Signals |
| M192 Launcher | Missile launching platforms | Operations |
| Intermediate Level Test Equipment (ILTE) | Automated test equipment (ATE) for electronic systems | Operations |
| Technical Manuals (TMs) | Equipment maintenance and repair manuals/OEM documentation | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 22K into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.