Aerospace Engineer
$125KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific aerospace engineering degree
- — CAD software proficiency
Live · Guide v1.01C631 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 1C631Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1C631.R.04
1C631 · USAF · EnlistedSpace Operations
Space Operations
Specialist.
Air Force 1C631 (Space Operations Specialist). 960 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $85K–$130K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours960DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Space Science, Remote Sensing, and Systems Engineering
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1C631 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 1C631 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Space Domain Awareness→ Observability and monitoring of complex systems
- 02Satellite Command and Control→ Infrastructure management and automation
- 03Telemetry Analysis→ Data analysis and anomaly detection
- 04System Modeling→ Understanding and optimizing complex processes
- 05Rapid Prioritization→ Quick decision-making and resource allocation
- 06Degraded-Mode Operations→ Problem-solving under pressure and maintaining critical functions
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Kubernetes basics+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or CloudFormation)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Network security principles+SQL and NoSQL databases+Data pipeline tools (e.g., Apache Kafka, Apache Spark)
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.
Satellite Systems Engineer
$130KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced knowledge of satellite communication protocols
- — Specific experience with satellite hardware
Network Engineer
$95KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — Understanding of network security protocols
Intelligence Analyst
$85KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in data analysis software
- — Familiarity with intelligence community procedures
Project Manager
$100KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — Agile methodologies
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1C631 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
In this role, you constantly monitor space and missile systems, requiring you to maintain a high degree of situational awareness to identify potential threats, anomalies, and mission-critical events in real-time. You're responsible for understanding the status of multiple systems simultaneously and anticipating their impact on broader operations.
Transfers to
This ability to process multiple streams of information, understand their interdependencies, and anticipate potential issues translates to an aptitude for roles where maintaining a broad understanding of complex systems and their environment is critical for decision-making and risk management.
System Modeling
You develop and use mental models of complex space systems to predict their behavior, troubleshoot anomalies, and optimize performance. This involves understanding the interactions between different components and how they contribute to overall mission success.
Transfers to
Your experience building and using system models makes you well-suited to roles that involve understanding and optimizing complex processes, whether it's in engineering, finance, or operations management.
Degraded-Mode Operations
When systems fail or are operating outside of normal parameters, you're responsible for developing and implementing workarounds to maintain essential functionality. This demands quick thinking, adaptability, and a deep understanding of system limitations.
Transfers to
Your experience in degraded-mode operations translates directly into a valuable skill for any role requiring problem-solving under pressure and the ability to maintain critical functions in challenging circumstances. This is highly valued in crisis management, emergency response, and disaster recovery scenarios.
Rapid Prioritization
The fast-paced environment of space operations requires you to quickly assess the urgency and impact of different events and prioritize actions accordingly. You make critical decisions under pressure, often with incomplete information.
Transfers to
Your demonstrated ability to rapidly prioritize tasks in high-pressure situations is directly transferable to roles where quick decision-making and resource allocation are crucial, such as project management, emergency management, or financial trading.
/ 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.
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 29-9099.02You've been monitoring complex systems for anomalies and threats, and reacting decisively to ensure mission success. This experience makes you exceptionally well-prepared to plan and execute emergency response efforts, coordinating resources and personnel effectively.
Adjacent · MatchFinancial Risk Analyst
SOC 13-2051You've been trained to identify and mitigate risks in complex systems. In this role, you would apply your analytical skills to assess financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with regulations. Your ability to think critically under pressure is a major asset.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics and Supply Chain Manager
SOC 11-3071You're accustomed to managing complex operations and coordinating resources in support of critical missions. This experience translates well to managing the flow of goods and services in a supply chain, optimizing efficiency and ensuring timely delivery.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Space Operations Training
Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA960hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in Space Science, Remote Sensing, and Systems Engineering
Topics · 8
- Space Domain Awareness
- Satellite Command and Control
- Missile Warning Systems
- Telemetry Analysis
- Space Control Operations
- Orbital Mechanics
- Space System Anomaly Resolution
- Range Operations
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40%
While experience in space operations provides a foundation in security principles, the CISSP requires a broad understanding of information security domains, including access control, cryptography, and security assessment. Study these areas to fill the gaps.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)30%
Experience managing space systems operations provides some project management exposure. Study the PMBOK Guide, focusing on areas like stakeholder management, risk management, and procurement management to bridge the gaps.
Recommended next · 03
- AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAdjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) | Infrared satellite imaging for environmental monitoring (e.g., weather, wildfires) | Operations |
| Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) | Astronomical telescopes for object tracking and observation | Operations |
| Space Command and Control (C2) Systems | Mission control software for satellite operations (e.g., a custom solution or services like Amazon Ground Station) | Networking |
| Satellite Telemetry Tracking and Commanding (TT&C) Systems | Satellite control software (e.g., FreeFlyer, STK), cloud-based TT&C platforms | Networking |
| Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) Mission System (JMS) | Command and control software platforms for multi-domain operations (similar to Palantir Foundry or C3.ai) | Operations |
| Missile Warning System | Early warning systems for natural disasters or industrial accidents (e.g., earthquake detection, chemical leak monitoring) | Weapons |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) Operations | Management of GPS ground segment and satellite constellation (e.g., roles within companies like Lockheed Martin or General Dynamics supporting GPS) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1C631 into a resume that ships.
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