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1513 Career Guide

Navy

1513: Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO)

Career transition guide for Navy Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) (1513)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1513 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific CAD software proficiency (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks)Civilian aerospace regulations and standards (e.g., FAA)

Program Manager

$130K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

PMP CertificationAgile or Scrum methodologies

Test Pilot/Flight Test Engineer

$140K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Commercial Pilot LicenseSpecific aircraft type ratingsCivilian flight test methodologies

Management Consultant

$150K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

MBA or relevant master's degreeConsulting-specific problem-solving frameworksIndustry-specific knowledge (e.g., aerospace, defense)

Systems Engineer

$115K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certificationSpecific modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB)Knowledge of systems engineering lifecycle processes

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1513 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

AEDOs must understand and model complex air weapon systems, from design to production, to identify potential issues and improvements.

This skill translates to the ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems, using models and simulations to optimize performance and mitigate risks.

Rapid Prioritization

AEDOs often face situations where they must quickly assess and prioritize tasks related to testing and evaluating new aircraft and weapon systems.

This translates to the ability to quickly assess the urgency and importance of different tasks, enabling efficient allocation of resources and timely decision-making.

Situational Awareness

AEDOs require a high degree of situational awareness while testing and evaluating aircraft and weapons systems, especially during flying billets.

This involves maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding environment and potential risks, enabling proactive decision-making and quick responses to unexpected events.

After-Action Analysis

AEDOs use after-action analysis to thoroughly review tests, evaluations, and other activities to identify lessons learned and implement improvements in processes and systems.

This critical review process translates into identifying areas for improvement, developing better strategies, and increasing overall efficiency in subsequent projects or operations.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been managing complex weapon system acquisition processes, making you adept at understanding and improving organizational efficiency. Management consulting lets you apply your skills to various industries, helping companies optimize their operations.

Risk Manager

SOC 13-2054

You've been responsible for testing and evaluating new aircraft and weapon systems, so you're highly skilled at identifying and mitigating risks. Risk management allows you to use this expertise to assess and manage potential risks in various organizations and industries.

Supply Chain Analyst

SOC 13-1199

You've been involved in the entire air weapon system acquisition process from design to production, giving you an end-to-end view of how things are made. As a supply chain analyst, you'll apply your understanding to optimize the flow of goods and services in a variety of companies.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Pipeline

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in Engineering Management or related fields

Topics Covered

  • Air Weapon System Acquisition
  • Program Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test and Evaluation Procedures
  • Aircraft Design and Production
  • Spacecraft Systems Overview
  • Weapons Systems Integration
  • Operational Support Activities

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)70% covered

Study the PMI PMBOK guide, focusing on predictive project management methodologies, stakeholder management, and risk management as applied in non-DoD contexts.

Certified Test and Evaluation Professional (CTEP)60% covered

Requires understanding of specific civilian testing standards, legal frameworks, and documentation practices that may differ from military protocols. Focus on statistical analysis and reporting.

Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)50% covered

Focus on the INCOSE handbook, particularly on model-based systems engineering, architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), and specific industry standards (e.g., ISO 15288) used in civilian sectors.

Recommended Next Certifications

Program Management Professional (PgMP)Lean Six Sigma Black BeltCertified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM)DoD Acquisition Professional (if continuing in defense sector)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
F/A-18E/F Super HornetBoeing Aircraft (e.g., 737, 787) for flight testing and evaluation
EA-18G GrowlerElectronic warfare testing platforms
AIM-9X Sidewinder MissileRaytheon Missiles & Defense products - missile systems testing and development
Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)Helmet-mounted display systems used in commercial aviation or augmented reality applications
AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RadarAdvanced radar systems used in weather forecasting, air traffic control, or autonomous driving
Link 16Secure data communication networks used in financial transactions or emergency services
Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Aircraft Division Test FacilitiesCommercial flight test centers (e.g., Mojave Air & Space Port), wind tunnels, simulation labs

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