Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.02E172 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2E172Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2E172.R.04
2E172 · USAF · EnlistedAirfield Systems
Airfield Systems
Specialist.
Air Force 2E172 (Airfield Systems Specialist). 1,152 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $62K–$105K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,152DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology and telecommunications.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2E172 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 2E172 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have12
- 01Airfield Navigation Aids Theory and Maintenance→ Understanding of network protocols and troubleshooting methodologies.
- 02Air Traffic Control Radio Systems Maintenance→ Knowledge of communication systems and signal processing techniques.
- 03Meteorological Equipment Maintenance→ Experience with sensor technology, data acquisition, and environmental monitoring.
- 04Ground-to-Air Radio Systems→ Understanding of radio frequency (RF) principles and wireless communication.
- 05Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting→ Proficiency in electronic circuit analysis, diagnostics, and repair.
- 06Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance→ Knowledge of antenna theory, installation practices, and signal optimization.
- 07Flight Inspection Procedures→ Experience with quality control, system verification, and regulatory compliance.
- 08System Modeling→ Ability to understand and model complex systems, predict their behavior, and identify potential points of failure.
- 09Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to following established procedures and protocols.
- 10Situational Awareness→ Ability to quickly assess situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.
- 11Degraded-Mode Operations→ Adept at troubleshooting and problem-solving in challenging conditions.
- 12After-Action Analysis→ Experience analyzing outcomes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.
To learn09
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cisco CCNA or Juniper JNCIA certification+Linux system administration fundamentals+Scripting with Bash and Python+Virtualization technologies (VMware, KVM)+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)+Infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation)+Network security principles and practices+Vulnerability management and penetration testing+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools
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.
Electronics Technician
$68KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA, IPC)
- — PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) training
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Fiber optic certification
- — Networking certifications (e.g., CCNA)
Wind Turbine Technician
$62KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 30)
- — Technical training in wind turbine maintenance
IT Manager
$105KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
- — ITIL certification
- — Bachelor's degree in IT or related field
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2E172 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Airfield Systems specialists analyze complex interconnected systems of meteorological, navigational, and air traffic control equipment to understand their operational characteristics and dependencies.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to understand and model complex systems, predict their behavior, and identify potential points of failure, valuable in technology-driven civilian roles.
Procedural Compliance
The role requires strict adherence to maintenance management publications, procedures, and safety standards to ensure the reliability and safety of airfield systems.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following established procedures and protocols is highly transferable to industries where safety and regulatory compliance are paramount.
Situational Awareness
Airfield Systems specialists must maintain awareness of system performance, environmental factors, and operational requirements to ensure the safe and efficient operation of airfields.
Transfers to
This keen awareness translates into an ability to quickly assess situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Diagnosing and repairing equipment malfunctions under pressure, often in deployed locations, is a critical aspect of this role, requiring the ability to maintain functionality even when systems are not operating optimally.
Transfers to
You're adept at troubleshooting and problem-solving in challenging conditions, a valuable skill in any industry where system downtime can have significant consequences.
After-Action Analysis
Interpreting inspection findings, determining the adequacy of corrective actions, and initiating action to correct unsatisfactory equipment performance trends contribute to continuous improvement.
Transfers to
Your experience analyzing outcomes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions is a valuable asset in any organization focused on continuous improvement.
/ 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.
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been working with complex electromechanical systems, diagnosing faults, and performing maintenance in demanding environments. Your experience with airfield systems translates well to wind turbine technology, where you'll be responsible for keeping these energy-generating giants running smoothly.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Automation Technician
SOC 49-9062You've got a solid background in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex automated systems. In this role, you'll apply your skills to keep manufacturing and industrial processes running efficiently by maintaining and repairing automated equipment.
Adjacent · MatchBuilding Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9012You're skilled in working with complex systems involving electrical, mechanical, and IT components. As a Building Automation Systems Technician, you'll use these skills to install, maintain, and repair systems that control heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting in commercial buildings.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Airfield Systems Apprentice Course
Keesler AFB, MS1,152hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours in electronics technology and telecommunications.
Topics · 7
- Airfield Navigation Aids Theory and Maintenance
- Air Traffic Control Radio Systems Maintenance
- Meteorological Equipment Maintenance
- Ground-to-Air Radio Systems
- Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting
- Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance
- Flight Inspection Procedures
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Focus on consumer electronics repair, advanced troubleshooting techniques, and current industry standards outside of military-specific equipment.
- CompTIA Network+60%
Study current networking technologies, cloud concepts, and vendor-neutral network troubleshooting.
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)75%
Review FCC rules and regulations, maritime radio, and radar endorsements.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Adjacent
- Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/MRN-68 Instrument Landing System (ILS) | Commercial Instrument Landing Systems used at civilian airports (e.g., Honeywell, Thales) | Operations |
| AN/TRN-26 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) System | VOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment) systems used for civilian air navigation | Operations |
| Ground-to-Air Radio Systems (VHF/UHF) | Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems used by air traffic control and aviation ground crews | Operations |
| Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR) | Commercial Airport Surveillance Radar systems (e.g., Raytheon, Thales) | Signals |
| NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers (military grade) | High-precision GPS surveying equipment and systems | Operations |
| Airfield Lighting Systems (Approach Lighting, Runway Lighting) | Civilian airfield lighting systems (e.g., ADB Safegate, Eaton) | Operations |
| Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) | Commercial weather stations and environmental monitoring systems | Operations |
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central | Mobile air traffic control towers used in emergency or disaster response scenarios | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2E172 into a resume that ships.
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