Electronics Engineer
$110KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)
- — CAD software proficiency
Live · Guide v1.06180 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/6180
NAVY · 6180Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.6180.R.04
6180 · NAVY · OfficerElectronics Systems
Electronics Systems
Officer.
Navy 6180 (Electronics Systems Officer). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$110K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology and management recommended.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6180 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 6180 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Systems→ Knowledge of defense systems and integration
- 02Radar Systems Operation and Maintenance→ Experience with complex electronic systems
- 03Electronic Warfare Systems→ Understanding of threat detection and mitigation techniques
- 04Data Networks and Communication Protocols (e.g., TCP/IP)→ Networking Fundamentals
- 05Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures→ Problem-solving and critical thinking
- 06Project Management for Electronics Upgrades→ Managing technical projects and teams
- 07System Modeling→ Understanding interconnected systems
- 08Shipboard Non-tactical Automated Data Processing (SNAP)→ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) concepts
To learn09
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools (Splunk, QRadar)+Firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems+Network monitoring and analysis tools (Wireshark, tcpdump)+Configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)+Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)+Scripting languages (Python, Bash)+Requirements gathering and documentation+Data analysis and visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)
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.
Project Manager (Technical)
$95KGood match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — PMP Certification
- — Agile methodologies
Technical Trainer
$75KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design
- — Adult learning principles
Field Service Engineer
$80KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific certifications
- — Customer service skills
IT Systems Manager
$105KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cloud computing certifications
- — Cybersecurity knowledge
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6180 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a 6180, you oversaw the installation and maintenance of complex electronics systems, requiring you to understand how various components interact within the larger system and anticipate potential points of failure.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand interconnected systems translates directly to creating and analyzing models in various civilian sectors. You can quickly grasp the interplay of factors within a process or organization.
Rapid Prioritization
You were responsible for the operational evaluation of new electronic system installations, and would have needed to quickly triage any issues to bring them online or keep them working during operations.
Transfers to
You can rapidly assess the urgency and impact of problems, enabling you to focus on the most critical tasks first and manage complex projects effectively in fast-paced environments.
Situational Awareness
Your role required you to be constantly aware of the operational status of electronic systems across the surface force, adapting to changing needs and potential threats to maintain optimal performance.
Transfers to
This heightened awareness allows you to anticipate potential problems, proactively adjust strategies, and make informed decisions under pressure.
Resource Optimization
As a technical manager, you were responsible for ensuring electronics systems were properly maintained and supplied. This includes maximizing efficiency within given constraints.
Transfers to
Your understanding of resource allocation and efficient operations can be applied to optimizing budgets, schedules, and personnel in civilian organizations.
/ 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.
Business Process Analyst
SOC 13-1111You've been analyzing and optimizing complex electronic systems in the Navy. As a Business Process Analyst, you'll use those same skills to map out, analyze, and improve business workflows, identifying inefficiencies and recommending solutions to streamline operations and boost productivity.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081You've been managing the installation, operation, and maintenance of electronics systems in the Navy. As a Logistics Analyst, you’ll leverage your resource optimization and system modeling skills to analyze and coordinate an organization's supply chain, ensuring efficient distribution of goods and services and identifying areas for improvement.
Adjacent · MatchManagement Consultant
SOC 13-1111You've been providing technical input to R&D and evaluating complex systems. As a Management Consultant, you’ll leverage your analytical and problem-solving abilities to advise organizations on how to improve their performance, optimize their operations, and achieve their goals, drawing upon your experience to provide insightful recommendations and drive positive change.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) Basic Division Officer Course
Newport, RI and various electronics-specific 'C' schools480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours in electronics technology and management recommended.
Topics · 8
- Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Systems
- Radar Systems Operation and Maintenance
- Electronic Warfare Systems
- Navigation Systems (e.g., GPS, inertial)
- Data Networks and Communication Protocols (e.g., TCP/IP)
- Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Naval Electronics
- Project Management for Electronics Upgrades
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)65%
Focus on specific troubleshooting techniques and current electronics industry standards not covered in general military electronics training. Review consumer electronics and specific CET domains.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Study the PMBOK guide, focusing on areas like stakeholder management, risk management, and procurement. Military project management may not align perfectly with PMI's methodologies.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAdjacent
- ITIL 4 FoundationAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shipboard Non-tactical Automated Data Processing (SNAP) | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP or Oracle | Operations |
| Navy Integrated Maintenance Management System (NIMMS) | Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) like Maximo or Infor EAM | Operations |
| Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) | Enterprise network infrastructure management and cybersecurity platforms (e.g., Cisco DNA Center, Palo Alto Networks) | Networking |
| Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M) | Maritime domain awareness platforms and vessel tracking systems (e.g., MarineTraffic, exactEarth) | Networking |
| Aegis Combat System | Integrated defense systems, air traffic control systems | Operations |
| Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) | Real-time data fusion and sensor integration platforms (e.g., Palantir, data analytics platforms used in IoT and smart city applications) | Operations |
| Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) | Cybersecurity threat detection and prevention systems (e.g., Splunk, IBM QRadar) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6180 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.