Aircraft Mechanic/Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.06214 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6214Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6214.R.04
6214 · USMC · EnlistedUAV
UAV
Mechanic.
Marine Corps 6214 (UAV Mechanic). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $50K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6214 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 6214 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01UAV Airframe Inspection→ Performing detailed code reviews and identifying potential issues.
- 02Avionics Troubleshooting→ Debugging software and hardware systems.
- 03Technical Documentation and Procedures→ Creating clear, concise, and accurate documentation for software and systems.
- 04System Modeling→ Understanding complex systems and their interactions.
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to coding standards, security protocols, and regulatory requirements.
- 06Degraded-Mode Operations→ Resolving critical issues under pressure and maintaining system stability.
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python fundamentals+Selenium or Cypress for web UI testing+C/C++ programming+Real-time operating systems (RTOS) concepts+Robotics middleware (e.g., ROS)+Computer vision and sensor fusion+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes basics
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.
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Climbing certification
- — Electrical systems knowledge
- — Safety training
Robotics Technician
$65KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Robotics certifications
- — PLC Programming
- — Automation experience
Quality Control Inspector
$50KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Quality control certifications (e.g., Six Sigma)
- — Knowledge of quality standards
Field Service Technician
$55KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Customer service skills
- — Specific equipment training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6214 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
UAV mechanics develop a deep understanding of how the various systems within a UAV interact. They troubleshoot issues by mentally modeling the system's behavior and predicting how changes in one area will affect others.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates directly into roles where you need to grasp intricate processes and predict outcomes.
Procedural Compliance
Maintenance on UAVs is governed by strict procedures to ensure safety and operational readiness. UAV mechanics adhere to detailed manuals and checklists, documenting every step of their work.
Transfers to
Your experience following rigorous procedures and maintaining meticulous records makes you valuable in industries where compliance and accuracy are paramount.
Degraded-Mode Operations
When UAVs experience malfunctions, mechanics must be able to diagnose and repair them quickly, often under pressure and with limited resources. This requires creative problem-solving and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges.
Transfers to
Your ability to troubleshoot and repair complex systems under pressure is highly valuable in roles that demand quick thinking and adaptability.
Situational Awareness
UAV mechanics need to be aware of the overall operational environment, including flight schedules, weather conditions, and potential hazards, to ensure that UAVs are safe and ready for flight.
Transfers to
Your attention to detail and understanding of your work environment translates well to civilian roles where safety and efficiency are critical.
/ 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 maintaining complex electromechanical systems in demanding environments, just like wind turbines! Your experience with diagnostics, repairs, and procedural compliance makes you a perfect fit for ensuring these renewable energy systems operate reliably.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9092You've worked on UAVs, which are essentially flying robots. Your skills in maintaining airframes, avionics, and control systems are directly transferable to the field of robotics, where you'll be responsible for keeping automated systems running smoothly.
Adjacent · MatchAmusement Park Ride Mechanic
SOC 49-9071You're skilled at troubleshooting and maintaining complex machinery under strict safety regulations. Your experience translates directly to ensuring the safety and reliability of amusement park rides, keeping the fun going for everyone!
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
UAV Mechanic Course
Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22, Camp Pendleton, CA480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Technology
Topics · 8
- UAV Airframe Inspection
- Composite Material Repair
- Avionics Troubleshooting
- Flight Control Systems Maintenance
- Engine Maintenance (specific to UAV)
- Hydraulic Systems Maintenance
- Flight Line Operations and Safety
- Technical Documentation and Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) - Airframe70%
FAA regulations, specific aircraft systems outside of UAVs, and practical experience on manned aircraft.
- Certified Composites Technician (CCT)60%
Advanced composite repair techniques, specific material science related to civilian aircraft, and industry-specific standards.
Recommended next · 03
- Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107)Adjacent
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Adjacent
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RQ-21A Blackjack UAV | Fixed-wing drone platforms (e.g., DJI Matrice series, senseFly eBee X) | Aviation |
| Advanced Ground Control Station (AGCS) | Drone ground control software (e.g., DroneDeploy, Pix4Dcapture) | Operations |
| UAV Integrated Test Equipment (UITE) | Avionics testing and diagnostic equipment (e.g., signal generators, spectrum analyzers) | Aviation |
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Aviation maintenance tracking software (e.g., Corridor Aviation Software, RAAS) | Networking |
| Technical Manuals and Schematics (e.g., NAVAIR 01-RQ21A-1) | Aircraft maintenance manuals and documentation (e.g., Airbus AMM, Boeing Maintenance Manuals) | Operations |
| Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) Equipment | Mobile fueling systems and equipment for remote operations | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6214 into a resume that ships.
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