Aircraft Mechanic / Aviation Technician
$73KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification
Live · Guide v1.06014 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6014Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6014.R.04
6014 · USMC · EnlistedUAV
UAV
Mechanic.
Marine Corps 6014 (UAV Mechanic). 640 hours of formal training translate to 4 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours640DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways4validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6014 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 6014 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Pattern Recognition→ Anomaly Detection, Data Analysis
- 02Procedural Compliance→ Quality Assurance, Test Planning
- 03System Modeling→ Systems Thinking, Troubleshooting
- 04Situational Awareness→ Monitoring, Incident Response
- 05Technical Manuals and Documentation→ Requirements gathering, procedure documentation
- 06NALCOMIS→ Enterprise Asset Management
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python fundamentals+Selenium or Cypress for automated testing+CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins or GitLab CI+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+SQL for data analysis+Business process modeling+ROS (Robot Operating System) basics+C++ programming
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.
Avionics Technician
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC license
- — Specific avionics system training
Wind Turbine Technician
$58KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine specific maintenance training
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Electrical safety training
Robotics Technician
$65KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Robotics programming
- — PLC certification
- — Specific robot manufacturer training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6014 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Pattern Recognition
As a UAV mechanic, you identify patterns in equipment malfunctions, recognizing recurring issues with specific components or systems based on maintenance logs and operational data.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to identify anomalies and trends in data, crucial for spotting inefficiencies or potential problems in various systems.
Procedural Compliance
You strictly adhere to detailed maintenance procedures and safety protocols when inspecting and repairing UAVs, ensuring all work meets rigorous standards.
Transfers to
This demonstrates your commitment to following established protocols and maintaining high-quality standards, essential in regulated industries.
System Modeling
You develop a mental model of how the UAV's various systems (airframe, engine, avionics) interact, allowing you to diagnose problems by understanding the interconnectedness of components.
Transfers to
This translates to an understanding of complex systems and how their components interact, valuable for troubleshooting and optimizing processes in various fields.
Situational Awareness
During flight line operations, you maintain awareness of the UAV's status, environmental conditions, and other ground personnel to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Transfers to
This indicates your ability to monitor complex environments, anticipate potential issues, and react appropriately to maintain safety and efficiency.
/ 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 49-9099.01You've been maintaining complex aerial systems, and wind turbines are essentially large, sophisticated machines operating in challenging environments. Your troubleshooting skills and mechanical expertise are directly transferable. Wind turbine technicians also work outdoors and at heights, and your military training has prepared you for this type of work.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062.00You've been working on UAVs, which are essentially robots that fly. Your understanding of electronics, mechanics, and system integration makes you an ideal candidate for robotics technician roles in manufacturing, logistics, or even healthcare. Your troubleshooting skills will be highly valued.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061.00You've been meticulously inspecting UAVs to ensure they meet stringent standards. As a quality control inspector, you'll apply those same skills to ensure products meet quality standards in manufacturing or other industries. Your attention to detail and commitment to procedural compliance are key assets.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
UAV Maintenance Course
Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC640hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology.
Topics · 7
- Basic Electricity and Electronics
- Airframe Structures and Repair
- Engine Theory and Maintenance (Small Engine)
- Avionics Systems Troubleshooting
- UAV Flight Line Operations and Safety
- Technical Manuals and Documentation
- Corrosion Control and Prevention
Partial coverage · 2
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic60%
Study general aviation powerplant systems, FAA regulations specific to manned aircraft, and hands-on experience with reciprocating and turbine engines common in manned aircraft.
- Certified Composites Technician (CCT)70%
Review advanced composite repair techniques and specific material properties of less common composite materials, and quality control procedures for composite manufacturing.
Recommended next · 03
- FAA Remote Pilot CertificateAdjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| RQ-21A Blackjack | Commercial Drone Platforms (e.g., DJI Matrice series) | Operations |
| Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) | Air Traffic Control (ATC) Systems / Flight Management Systems | Networking |
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software for aviation maintenance | Networking |
| Advanced Ground Control Station (AGCS) | Remote Control and Monitoring Software (e.g., for industrial machinery or robotics) | Operations |
| AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) | Ruggedized GPS devices (e.g., Garmin, Trimble) used in surveying and outdoor activities | Operations |
| Aviation Maintenance Management Information System (AVMMIS) | Maintenance Management Software (e.g., Fiix, UpKeep) | Operations |
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