Aerospace Engineer
$125KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.07168 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7168Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.7168.R.04
7168 · NAVY · WarrantOrdnance
Ordnance
Officer.
Navy 7168 (Ordnance Officer). 640 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours640DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in Naval Science and 3 semester hours in Management
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7168 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 7168 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Ordnance Handling Procedures→ Procedural Compliance
- 02Weapons Systems Maintenance→ System Modeling
- 03Logistics and Supply Chain Management→ Resource Optimization
- 04Explosives Safety→ Situational Awareness
- 05Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)→ Attention to Detail
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Linux fundamentals+Python pandas and data visualization libraries+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Cybersecurity fundamentals+Risk management frameworks+System administration basics (Windows/Linux)+Network troubleshooting
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
$75KGood match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certifications
Quality Control Inspector
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Six Sigma certification
Logistics Manager
$90KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification
Technical Trainer
$70KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design
- — Curriculum development
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7168 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a 7168, you developed a deep understanding of complex ordnance systems, including how various components interact and affect overall performance. You were able to predict system behavior under different conditions and identify potential points of failure.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to roles where you need to analyze intricate processes, predict outcomes, and identify areas for improvement.
Resource Optimization
You were responsible for managing resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, to ensure efficient ordnance operations. This involved making critical decisions about allocation and utilization to meet mission objectives.
Transfers to
Your experience in optimizing resources makes you well-suited for roles where you need to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize productivity.
Procedural Compliance
Adhering to strict safety regulations and operational procedures was paramount in your role. You were responsible for ensuring that all personnel followed established protocols to minimize risks and maintain a safe working environment.
Transfers to
Your meticulous adherence to procedures and commitment to safety make you an ideal candidate for roles that demand precision, accuracy, and unwavering compliance.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining a high level of situational awareness was crucial for anticipating potential problems and responding effectively to unexpected events. You constantly monitored your surroundings and adjusted your actions accordingly.
Transfers to
This ability to quickly assess situations, identify potential risks, and adapt to changing circumstances is highly valuable in fast-paced, dynamic 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.
Logistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been managing ordnance logistics, so you understand supply chains, inventory control, and resource allocation. Your experience translates perfectly to optimizing logistical operations in a variety of industries.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00You've been ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations and operational procedures, making you an ideal candidate for ensuring that organizations comply with relevant laws, policies, and standards.
Adjacent · MatchManagement Consultant
SOC 13-1111.00You've been modeling systems and optimizing resources, skills crucial in management consulting where you'll be analyzing business processes, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Naval Officer Training Command (OTCN)
Newport, RI, followed by Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), Newport, RI and Naval Ordnance Management Qualification Course (NOMQC), Dam Neck, VA640hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in Naval Science and 3 semester hours in Management
Topics · 8
- Naval Leadership
- Surface Warfare Fundamentals
- Ordnance Handling Procedures
- Weapons Systems Maintenance
- Explosives Safety
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Ordnance Specific)
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) for Naval Ordnance
- Project Management (Ordnance Projects)
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)60%
Requires studying statistical process control, quality management systems, and auditing techniques specific to manufacturing and service industries. Focus on ASQ CQE body of knowledge.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)50%
Requires studying the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide, particularly in areas of cost management, risk management, and stakeholder management. Formal project management training is highly recommended.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Black BeltAdjacent
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 45 Naval Gun System | Large caliber automated gun systems used in industrial or security settings | Weapons |
| Vertical Launching System (VLS) | Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) used in warehousing and manufacturing | Operations |
| Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS) | Precision-guided missile technology; autonomous navigation systems | Weapons |
| Aegis Combat System | Integrated defense systems; enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for complex operations | Operations |
| Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) | Real-time data fusion and sensor networking platforms | Operations |
| Naval Ordnance Management Policy (NOMP) | Hazardous materials management software and regulatory compliance systems (e.g., for OSHA, EPA) | Operations |
| Explosive Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program (EHP) | Safety certification programs for handling hazardous materials; OSHA certifications | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7168 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.