Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA A&P License
Live · Guide v1.015E · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262027 Cohort · Applications Open
ARMY · 15ECareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.15E.R.04
15E · ARMY · EnlistedUnmanned Aircraft Systems
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Repairer.
Army 15E (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer). 840 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$80K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours840DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology or electronics technology (estimated)
Tech roles5mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
This career guide was generated using AI analysis of military job code data. Salary figures, certification coverage percentages, and career matches are estimates — verify with official sources before making career decisions.
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 15E 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 15E training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have12
- 01UAS Electrical Systems Troubleshooting→ Debugging and root cause analysis
- 02Radio Frequency Systems Maintenance→ Understanding of wireless communication protocols
- 03Propulsion Systems Diagnostics→ Experience with mechanical and electrical systems
- 04Optical Payload Maintenance→ Working with imaging systems
- 05Weapon Systems Maintenance→ Strict adherence to safety and maintenance protocols
- 06Ground Control Station Maintenance→ Experience with remote control and monitoring software
- 07Technical Inspections→ Quality assurance and attention to detail
- 08Maintenance Trend Analysis→ Data-driven decision making
- 09Supervising maintenance personnel→ Team leadership
- 10Following DA-approved modification work orders→ Change management
- 11Battlefield Aviation Repair Program (BARP)→ MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) software
- 12Army Oil Analysis Program (AOAP)→ Oil analysis and diagnostics services
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)+Infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)+Python or C++ programming+Embedded Linux+Test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JUnit)+CI/CD pipelines+Server virtualization (e.g., VMware, KVM)+Networking fundamentals+Robotics software development (ROS, Python)+Computer vision
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, remote-first 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
- — OSHA Safety Certifications
- — Climbing/Rescue training
- — Specific turbine manufacturer certifications
Robotics Technician
$65KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — PLC Programming
- — Robotics certifications (e.g., FANUC, ABB)
Field Service Technician (Electrical/Electronics)
$68KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Strong customer service skills
- — Specific product training (varies by industry)
Maintenance Supervisor
$80KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
- — Lean Six Sigma certification
- — Bachelor's Degree in related technical field (preferred)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 15E training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You develop a deep understanding of complex systems, from aircraft electrical systems to radio frequency paths. You use schematics and technical manuals to create mental models of how these systems function, enabling you to diagnose and repair malfunctions efficiently.
Transfers to
Your ability to understand and visualize complex systems translates directly into being able to design, analyze, and optimize processes and workflows in various industries.
Procedural Compliance
You strictly adhere to technical manuals, safety procedures, and operational policies when diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining unmanned aircraft systems. Your meticulous approach ensures the safety and reliability of these complex machines.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following procedures and maintaining high standards of quality is invaluable in regulated industries where compliance is critical.
After-Action Analysis
You evaluate maintenance operations, analyze trends, and apply maintenance management principles to improve efficiency and prevent future issues. You use your insights to refine processes and enhance the overall performance of your team.
Transfers to
Your ability to analyze past performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions is essential for driving continuous improvement and achieving organizational goals.
Situational Awareness
From launch to recovery, you maintain constant awareness of your surroundings and the status of your systems. You quickly identify potential hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and ensure the safe and effective operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
Transfers to
Your ability to stay alert, anticipate potential problems, and react quickly in dynamic environments is highly valued in roles that require quick thinking and decisive action.
/ 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.
Robotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've been working with sophisticated electromechanical systems for years. As a Robotics Technician, you’ll apply your troubleshooting and repair skills to maintain and improve robotic systems in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9099You're already skilled in maintaining complex electromechanical systems and understand the importance of safety. As a Wind Turbine Technician, you’ll leverage your expertise to inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines, contributing to renewable energy production.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Assurance Analyst
SOC 19-4041You're trained to ensure maintenance operations comply with all directives and technical manuals. Now, as a Quality Assurance Analyst, you’ll use your attention to detail and analytical skills to evaluate products, processes, and systems, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality.
Adjacent · MatchField Service Engineer
SOC 49-2098You're adept at diagnosing and repairing complex equipment in the field, often under pressure. As a Field Service Engineer, you’ll apply your technical expertise to install, maintain, and repair equipment at customer sites, ensuring optimal performance and customer satisfaction.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Repairer Course
Fort Huachuca, Arizona840hHours
21wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology or electronics technology (estimated)
Topics · 8
- UAS Electrical Systems Troubleshooting
- UAS Avionics Repair
- Radio Frequency Systems Maintenance
- Propulsion Systems Diagnostics
- Fuel Systems Repair
- Optical Payload Maintenance
- Weapon Systems Maintenance
- Ground Control Station Maintenance
Partial coverage · 3
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic60%
Formal A&P certification requires passing FAA written, oral, and practical exams. Military training provides a strong foundation, but specific A&P knowledge and hands-on experience with civilian aircraft models is needed. Focus on FAA regulations, reciprocating engine theory, and sheet metal repair.
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
While the 15E training provides a solid foundation in electronics, the CET exam covers a broad range of topics. Study consumer electronics, industrial electronics, and digital electronics to fill the gaps.
- CompTIA Network+40%
The 15E role involves some networking knowledge. Study more advanced networking concepts, including network security, cloud networking, and network troubleshooting, to successfully pass the exam.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)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-7 Shadow UAS | Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) repair technician working on platforms like the DJI Matrice or Parrot ANAFI. | Operations |
| Ground Control Station (GCS) | Remote control and monitoring software and hardware for drones; similar to drone ground stations used in commercial drone operations. | Operations |
| Common Aviation Ground Equipment (CAGE) | General purpose aviation maintenance tools and diagnostic equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.) found in civilian aviation maintenance shops. | Networking |
| Forward Area Refueling Equipment (FARE) | Mobile fuel truck and dispensing systems used at small airports or for agricultural aviation. | Operations |
| AN/USM-704(V) Aviation Communication System Test Set | Avionics test equipment for simulating radio frequency (RF) signals and testing communication systems, similar to Aeroflex or IFR avionics testers. | Networking |
| Battlefield Aviation Repair Program (BARP) | Aviation maintenance management and tracking software, similar to MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) software used in civilian aviation. | Operations |
| Army Oil Analysis Program (AOAP) | Oil analysis and diagnostics services offered by companies like Bureau Veritas or ALS Tribology, used to monitor equipment health. | Operations |
Cohort 2027 · Intake Open
Ship 15E into a software engineering career.
The pathways above are the destination. Vets Who Code is the route: a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for active duty, veterans, and military spouses. 17 weeks at 20–30 hours a week, and a body of work that ships.