Aircraft Mechanic/Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License
Live · Guide v1.02A674 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/2A674
USAF · 2A674Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2A674.R.04
2A674 · USAF · EnlistedAircraft Fuel Systems
Aircraft Fuel Systems
Technician.
Air Force 2A674 (Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician). 360 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 hours360DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2A674 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 2A674 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01System Modeling→ Troubleshooting and root cause analysis
- 02Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to security and operational best practices
- 03Situational Awareness→ Monitoring and responding to system alerts
- 04Resource Optimization→ Efficient allocation of computing resources
- 05Experience with Automated Fuel System (AFS)→ Experience with Automated tank gauging and inventory management systems
- 06Experience with Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)→ Experience with Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software
- 07Experience with Technical Order (TO) Library→ Experience with online databases of equipment manuals and repair procedures
- 08Experience with Hazmat Tracking System (HTS)→ Experience with chemical inventory management software
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible)+Configuration management (Chef, Puppet)+Monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)+SQL+Data analysis with Python (pandas, matplotlib)+Cybersecurity fundamentals+Network security principles
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.
Aerospace Engineering Technician
$70KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — CAD software proficiency
- — Engineering principles
- — Materials science knowledge
Quality Control Inspector (Aerospace)
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) certification
- — Blueprint reading
- — Knowledge of quality control standards
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 10/30)
- — Electrical systems knowledge
- — Climbing and rescue training
HVAC Technician
$55KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — EPA Section 608 Certification
- — HVAC technical training
- — Refrigerant handling
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2A674 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Troubleshooting complex aircraft fuel systems requires understanding how various components interact and affect overall system performance. Identifying the root cause of malfunctions means mentally simulating the system's behavior under different conditions.
Transfers to
The ability to understand and predict how different elements interact within a larger system is crucial for diagnosing and resolving complex problems in various fields.
Procedural Compliance
Aircraft maintenance demands strict adherence to detailed technical manuals, safety regulations, and quality control procedures. This ensures safety and reliability, especially when dealing with hazardous materials and confined spaces.
Transfers to
A commitment to following established protocols and guidelines is essential in highly regulated industries where precision and safety are paramount.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining aircraft fuel systems requires constant awareness of the surrounding environment, potential hazards, and the operational status of the aircraft. This involves anticipating problems and quickly adapting to changing conditions during maintenance.
Transfers to
Vigilance and the ability to quickly assess and respond to dynamic situations are valuable assets in roles where safety and efficiency are critical.
Resource Optimization
Managing time, tools, and materials efficiently is vital when repairing aircraft fuel systems, especially under pressure to return the aircraft to service quickly. Balancing speed with accuracy and thoroughness is critical.
Transfers to
The capacity to effectively allocate and manage resources to achieve goals is essential for maximizing productivity and minimizing waste in a variety of settings.
/ 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.
HVAC Systems Designer
SOC 17-3012You've been working with complex fluid systems, understanding how pressure, flow, and seals all interact. You're already familiar with troubleshooting leaks and ensuring efficient operation. As an HVAC designer, you'll use these skills to create comfortable and energy-efficient environments for homes and businesses.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You've been maintaining intricate aircraft fuel systems, which requires a strong understanding of mechanical components, diagnostics, and repair procedures. As an Industrial Mechanic, you can apply these skills to maintain and repair a wide range of machinery in manufacturing or industrial settings, ensuring smooth operations.
Adjacent · MatchEnvironmental Compliance Inspector
SOC 13-1041You're experienced in safely handling hazardous materials, following strict procedures for waste disposal, and documenting compliance. You will leverage that experience to ensure that companies adhere to environmental regulations, preventing pollution and protecting public health.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aircraft Fuel Systems Maintenance Course
Sheppard AFB, TX360hHours
9wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology
Topics · 7
- Fuel system theory and operation
- Fuel cell and tank repair procedures
- Hazardous material handling and disposal
- Aircraft fuel system component identification and maintenance
- Confined space entry and safety procedures
- Technical order and maintenance documentation
- Corrosion control and prevention in fuel systems
Partial coverage · 3
- Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) - Airframe60%
FAA regulations, specific aircraft airframe knowledge outside of military aircraft, and some general aviation maintenance practices.
- Certified Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician (AFST)70%
Civilian aircraft fuel systems differences, FAA requirements, and specific manufacturer procedures on civilian aircraft.
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry40%
OSHA regulations, record keeping, general safety and health provisions, and hazard communication in a civilian workplace.
Recommended next · 04
- Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- NDT Level II Certification (specific to method used on aircraft, e.g., dye penetrant, radiography)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Fuel System (AFS) | Automated tank gauging and inventory management systems | Operations |
| Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP Plant Maintenance | Operations |
| Technical Order (TO) Library | Online databases of equipment manuals and repair procedures | Operations |
| Hazmat Tracking System (HTS) | Chemical inventory management software | Operations |
| Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) equipment | Industrial radiography and ultrasonic testing equipment | Operations |
| Aircraft Fuel Tank Inerting System (OBIGGS) | Nitrogen generation systems for industrial applications | Aviation |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2A674 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.