Industrial Maintenance Technician
$58KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — PLC Programming
- — Advanced Hydraulics
- — OSHA 30 Certification
Live · Guide v1.07142 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7142Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.7142.R.04
7142 · NAVY · WarrantSurface Repair
Surface Repair
Technician.
Navy 7142 (Surface Repair Technician). 640 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $48K–$62K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours640DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in Basic Industrial Maintenance
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7142 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 7142 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01System Modeling→ Understanding complex system architectures and dependencies
- 02Procedural Compliance→ Following established protocols and documentation meticulously
- 03Degraded-Mode Operations→ Troubleshooting and resolving issues under pressure with limited resources
- 04Resource Optimization→ Managing resources efficiently and minimizing waste
- 05Naval Ships' Technical Manual (NSTM)→ Understanding and interpreting manufacturer's equipment repair manuals and technical specifications
- 063M System (Maintenance Material Management)→ Understanding Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
To learn11
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux server administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) basics+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, or Puppet)+Scripting languages (e.g., Python or Bash)+Networking fundamentals+Windows Server administration+Help desk ticketing systems+Remote desktop support tools+Endpoint security software+Network security principles+SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk)
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.
Marine Mechanic
$55KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Outboard Engine Repair Certification
- — Marine Electrical Systems
- — Diagnostic Software Training
Facilities Maintenance Technician
$48KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — HVAC Certification
- — Building Automation Systems
- — Project Management
Wind Turbine Technician
$62KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind Turbine Technology Certification
- — High Voltage Electrical Training
- — Rope Access Certification
Millwright
$56KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Precision Alignment Techniques
- — Welding Certification
- — Blueprint Reading
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7142 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Surface Repair Technicians develop a strong mental model of how shipboard systems work, understanding the interconnectedness of components and how failures in one area can impact others. This allows them to efficiently diagnose and repair complex issues.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates to an aptitude for understanding and troubleshooting complex processes and machinery in civilian settings.
Procedural Compliance
Adherence to detailed repair procedures and safety regulations is paramount. Technicians follow established protocols to ensure repairs are completed correctly and safely, minimizing risk and preventing further damage.
Transfers to
Your meticulous adherence to procedures makes you well-suited for roles requiring strict compliance and attention to detail.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Surface Repair Technicians are skilled at finding solutions with limited resources in difficult situations during ship operations, often finding themselves facing unexpected challenges and needing to develop creative workarounds to keep equipment running.
Transfers to
This adaptability and resourcefulness are invaluable in civilian roles where you'll need to solve problems under pressure and with limited resources.
Resource Optimization
On a ship, resources are often limited. Technicians must be adept at using available materials and tools efficiently to complete repairs, minimizing waste and maximizing the lifespan of equipment.
Transfers to
This skill translates directly into the ability to manage resources effectively in any civilian setting, making you a valuable asset in cost-conscious environments.
/ 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 Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041.00You've been maintaining and repairing complex shipboard machinery, so you have a solid foundation for diagnosing and fixing problems in industrial equipment. Your ability to troubleshoot under pressure and adhere to safety protocols will make you a valuable asset to any manufacturing or industrial facility.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9081.00You've been working with complex mechanical and electrical systems in a challenging environment; wind turbines present similar challenges! Your experience with diagnostics, repair procedures, and working at heights will be directly applicable to this growing field. Plus, you're used to working in remote locations.
Adjacent · MatchBuilding Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9021.00You've been maintaining complex systems in a ship environment, which requires a thorough understanding of mechanical and electrical components. This experience makes you well-prepared to troubleshoot and maintain the complex building automation systems found in modern commercial buildings, including HVAC, lighting, and security systems.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
A School
Naval Station Great Lakes640hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours in Basic Industrial Maintenance
Topics · 8
- Basic Hand Tools
- Blueprint Reading
- Sheet Metal Repair
- Welding (SMAW, GTAW)
- Piping Systems
- Valve Maintenance
- Pump Repair
- Basic Electricity
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Composites Technician (CCT)60%
Requires additional knowledge of advanced composite materials, repair techniques specific to civilian applications, and industry standards from organizations like ASTM.
- American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder40%
Requires hands-on welding experience and passing AWS qualification tests for specific welding processes and materials.
Recommended next · 03
- NACE Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Level 1Adjacent
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Ships' Technical Manual (NSTM) | Manufacturer's Equipment Repair Manuals & Technical Specifications | Operations |
| Advanced Damage Control System (ADCS) | Building Automation Systems (BAS) with integrated damage control features | Operations |
| Navy Firefighting Technical Manual | NFPA Standards and Fire Safety Training Programs | Operations |
| 3M System (Maintenance Material Management) | Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) | Operations |
| Portable Exothermic Cutting Unit (PECU) | Oxy-acetylene cutting torches, plasma cutters | Operations |
| Various welding equipment (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW) | SMAW, GTAW, GMAW Welding Machines | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7142 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.