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Live · Guide v1.01510 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 1510Career Guide · Engineering · VWC.CG.1510.R.04
1510 · NAVY · Officer

Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer
(AEDO).

Navy 1510 (Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO)). 1,200 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $90K–$140K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours1,200DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 30 semester hours recommended in engineering, management, and aviation-related fields.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 1510 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 1510 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05
  • 01
    System ModelingDesigning and optimizing business processes and technological infrastructures
  • 02
    Rapid PrioritizationProject management and high-pressure decision-making in dynamic environments
  • 03
    Situational AwarenessQuickly grasping and responding to changing market conditions and anticipating potential risks
  • 04
    After-Action AnalysisQuality control, process improvement, and strategic planning
  • 05
    Experience with Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)Experience with flight planning software such as ForeFlight and Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro
To learn08

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash)+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for data querying and database management+Project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)+JIRA and Confluence for tracking and documentation+Linux server administration+Common scripting languages (e.g., Bash, Python) for automation
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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Specific CAD software proficiency (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks)
  • Civilian aerospace regulations knowledge (e.g., FAA, EASA)
P.02

Program Manager

$130K
High match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
  • Agile methodologies
P.03

Test Engineer

$95K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Specific industry testing standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO)
  • Data analysis and statistical software (e.g., Python, R)
P.04

Management Consultant

$140K
Moderate match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • MBA or relevant advanced degree
  • Strong financial modeling skills
  • Industry-specific knowledge (e.g., healthcare, finance)
P.05

Aviation Safety Inspector

$90K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA certifications relevant to inspection specialty
  • In-depth knowledge of civil aviation regulations (FARs)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 1510 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

AEDOs create and utilize system models to understand the complex interactions within air weapon systems, from initial design to final production. They must predict how changes in one component affect the entire system's performance.

Transfers to

The ability to understand and predict how complex systems behave translates to designing and optimizing business processes, financial models, or technological infrastructures.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

AEDOs frequently face situations requiring them to quickly assess and prioritize tasks under pressure, especially during testing and evaluation of new aircraft and weapons systems. They must decide what issues need immediate attention to ensure safety and mission success.

Transfers to

The skill to rapidly assess situations and prioritize tasks is crucial for project management, emergency response, and high-pressure decision-making in dynamic environments.

S.03

Situational Awareness

AEDOs maintain constant awareness of their environment, whether in a cockpit testing new aircraft or overseeing weapon system development. They monitor system performance, weather conditions, and potential threats to make informed decisions.

Transfers to

This heightened awareness translates to an ability to quickly grasp and respond to changing market conditions, anticipate potential risks, and make proactive decisions in business and strategic planning.

S.04

After-Action Analysis

AEDOs routinely conduct thorough after-action analyses following tests, evaluations, and operational support activities. They identify areas for improvement, document lessons learned, and implement changes to enhance future performance and safety.

Transfers to

This analytical mindset is highly valuable in quality control, process improvement, and strategic planning, enabling organizations to learn from past experiences and continuously optimize their operations.

/ 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.

Financial Risk Analyst

SOC 13-2051

You've been trained to understand complex systems and predict potential failures. As a Financial Risk Analyst, you'll apply those skills to assess financial models, predict market vulnerabilities, and help companies mitigate risk. Your experience managing complex projects will be invaluable.

Adjacent · Match

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've honed your ability to analyze systems, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements. As a Management Consultant, you'll leverage these skills to help businesses optimize their operations, streamline processes, and achieve strategic goals. Your experience in test and evaluation will give you a unique edge.

Adjacent · Match

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161

Your experience in maintaining situational awareness, rapidly prioritizing tasks, and operating in high-pressure environments makes you an ideal candidate for this role. As an Emergency Management Director, you'll be responsible for planning and coordinating responses to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies. You're prepared to lead.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API)

Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, FL; Primary Flight Training, various Naval Air Stations; AEDO School, Patuxent River, MD; Test Pilot School (select AEDOs), Patuxent River, MD
1,200hHours
30wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 30 semester hours recommended in engineering, management, and aviation-related fields.

Topics · 8
  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Flight Operations
  • Test and Evaluation Methodologies
  • Air Weapon System Acquisition
  • Program Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Naval Aviation Management
Partial coverage · 2
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)60%

    Formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum), specific tools and software used in civilian project management, and the PMP exam format.

  • Certified Test and Evaluation Professional (CTEP)70%

    Understanding of specific civilian testing standards, documentation practices, and legal considerations related to product liability.

Recommended next · 04
  • Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)Adjacent
  • Program Management Professional (PgMP)Adjacent
  • Lean Six Sigma Black BeltAdjacent
  • DoD Acquisition Professional Certifications (depending on desired specialization)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)Flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight, Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro)Operations
Automated Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA)Marine radar systems (e.g., Furuno, Raymarine) with collision avoidance featuresSignals
Integrated Shipboard Network System (ISNS)Enterprise network management systems (e.g., Cisco DNA Center, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor)Networking
Naval Air Traffic Control and Landing System (NATCALS)Civilian air traffic control systems (e.g., Raytheon AutoTrac III, Thales TopSky ATC)Operations
Airborne Tactical Data System (ATDS)Airborne data acquisition systems (e.g., L3Harris, Collins Aerospace data links)Operations
AN/SPY-6(V) RadarAdvanced radar systems (e.g., Lockheed Martin Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR))Signals
/ Translator · Live

Translate 1510 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.