Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.02E031D · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2E031DCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2E031D.R.04
2E031D · USAF · EnlistedGround Radar Systems
Ground Radar Systems
Technician.
Air Force 2E031D (Ground Radar Systems Technician). 1,120 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$80K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,120DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and telecommunications.
Tech roles5mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2E031D 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 2E031D training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01Radar Theory and Principles→ Understanding of signal processing and data analysis techniques applicable to various tech domains.
- 02Troubleshooting and Repair of Radar Systems→ Diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues in software or hardware systems.
- 03Antenna Systems and Waveguides→ Understanding of network communication principles and hardware configurations.
- 04Digital Signal Processing→ Analyzing and manipulating data for insights and optimization.
- 05System Modeling→ Understanding complex systems and interdependencies.
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to procedures and regulations for risk management and consistent performance.
- 07Resource Optimization→ Improving efficiency and cost savings through optimized processes.
- 08Situational Awareness→ Proactive risk management and ensuring seamless operation of complex systems.
To learn16
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration basics+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)+Infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation)+Monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)+Incident response and management best practices+Scripting languages (Python, Bash)+Cloud networking concepts (VPCs, subnets, routing)+Cloud security best practices+Specific cloud services (e.g., AWS EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine)+Networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)+Network security principles (firewalls, intrusion detection)+Network monitoring tools (Wireshark, tcpdump)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing techniques+Common security frameworks and standards (NIST, ISO 27001)
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.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$68KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)
- — Fiber optic installation and repair
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician
$72KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — CAD software proficiency
- — PLC programming
- — Advanced circuit analysis
Wind Turbine Technician
$65KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine safety certification
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Experience with hydraulic systems
Radar Technician
$80KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Experience with specific radar systems used in civilian air traffic control or weather forecasting
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2E031D training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You developed an intricate understanding of complex radar systems, enabling you to predict how changes in one component would affect the overall system performance. You used this skill when troubleshooting malfunctions, planning installations, and optimizing system configurations.
Transfers to
Your ability to grasp complex systems and their interdependencies translates to a valuable skill in understanding and optimizing various business processes and technological frameworks.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained and repaired critical radar systems, even under challenging conditions, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You developed resourceful and adaptive strategies to keep these systems operational.
Transfers to
Your experience in maintaining critical systems under duress equips you with exceptional problem-solving skills, allowing you to quickly adapt to unexpected challenges and maintain operational continuity.
Procedural Compliance
You strictly adhered to technical orders, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures to ensure the reliable and safe operation of ground radar systems. Your attention to detail and adherence to protocol were crucial to mission success.
Transfers to
Your meticulous adherence to procedures and regulations makes you exceptionally reliable and well-suited for roles requiring strict compliance, risk management, and consistent performance.
Resource Optimization
You managed resources effectively, including tools, support equipment, personnel, and supplies, to ensure efficient maintenance and repair operations. You identified and implemented improvements to enhance maintenance effectiveness and reduce downtime.
Transfers to
Your ability to manage resources and optimize processes translates into improved efficiency and cost savings for any organization. Your proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement makes you an asset in any operational environment.
Situational Awareness
You were responsible for maintaining a constant awareness of the operational status of ground radar systems and associated equipment. This awareness allowed you to proactively identify and address potential issues, ensuring continuous operational readiness.
Transfers to
Your ability to maintain a high level of situational awareness and anticipate potential problems will enable you to proactively manage risks and ensure the seamless operation of complex systems and processes in a civilian setting.
/ 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.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You've been hands-on with sophisticated radar systems, giving you an in-depth understanding of how critical infrastructure works. This experience translates perfectly to securing industrial control systems from cyber threats, as you can think like both an operator and a defender. Your experience adapting to degraded-mode operations will also be essential in these environments.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've excelled at diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining complex electromechanical systems like radar. That's exactly the skill set needed to keep robotic systems running smoothly in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. Your experience with procedural compliance and resource optimization will make you a standout in this field.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9099You've honed your skills in electrical and mechanical systems, troubleshooting, and maintenance with radar systems. These are highly transferable skills to the wind energy sector, where you'll be maintaining and repairing wind turbines, a critical component of renewable energy infrastructure. Your experience with situational awareness and degraded-mode operations will be crucial for success in this role.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Ground Radar Systems Maintenance Course
Keesler AFB, MS1,120hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and telecommunications.
Topics · 8
- Radar Theory and Principles
- Electronic Warfare Systems
- Antenna Systems and Waveguides
- Digital Signal Processing
- Troubleshooting and Repair of Radar Systems
- Air Traffic Control Radar (ATCR) Systems
- Weather Radar Systems
- Radar Operator Training Devices Maintenance
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Focus on specific electronics troubleshooting techniques and industry best practices not covered in military training. Review the CET exam blueprint for detailed topics.
- CompTIA Network+60%
Study civilian networking technologies, protocols, and troubleshooting. Focus on current network security best practices and cloud networking concepts.
- ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)40%
Learn cybersecurity fundamentals including risk management, incident response, and security technologies as applied in civilian contexts.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Radar Technician (CRT)Adjacent
- CCNA - Routing and SwitchingAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TPS-75 Radar System | Modern long-range air surveillance radar systems used at civilian airports and by air traffic control organizations. | Signals |
| AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) | Civilian Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) systems for air traffic control. | Signals |
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central | Mobile air traffic control towers and landing systems used at smaller civilian airports or for disaster response. | Operations |
| IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Systems | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) used in civilian air traffic control to identify aircraft. | Operations |
| Radar Data Remoting Systems | Wide Area Network (WAN) systems for distributing radar data to remote air traffic control centers. | Signals |
| ATC Communication Systems (VHF/UHF Radios) | Commercial VHF/UHF radio systems used for air traffic control communications. | Networking |
| Ground-to-Air Radio (GATR) systems | Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems for communication with aircraft. | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2E031D 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.