New Cohort Starts:

Donate

2A071 Career Guide

Air Force

2A071: Avionics Test Station Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Avionics Test Station Specialist (2A071)

Translate Your 2A071 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2A071 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Electronics Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications related to industry (e.g., CompTIA)PLC Programming

Calibration Technician

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 17025 standardSpecific software knowledge

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$67K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

CAD softwareEngineering principles

Field Service Engineer (Avionics)

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Strong customer service skillsProject Management

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2A071 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely analyze complex avionics systems, understanding how various components interact and impact overall performance. You troubleshoot by mentally building a model of the system and predicting the effects of malfunctions.

This skill translates to the ability to understand and optimize complex systems in various civilian sectors, such as logistics, manufacturing, or even financial modeling. You can visualize processes and predict outcomes.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict maintenance standards, safety protocols, and regulatory directives is paramount in your role. You understand the importance of following procedures to ensure operational readiness and safety.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures is highly valuable in regulated industries. This ensures consistency, quality control, and minimizes errors, which is critical in sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or finance.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You're skilled at maintaining and repairing avionics systems even when test equipment is malfunctioning. You are able to get the job done even without all the resources you need.

The ability to adapt and troubleshoot under pressure, finding solutions when resources are limited or systems are failing, is a valuable skill in fast-paced and unpredictable environments. Your experience with degraded-mode operations translates well to roles requiring quick thinking and resourcefulness.

After-Action Analysis

You initiate deficiency reports, maintenance analysis documents, and technical data changes. You review maintenance activities to identify areas for improvement and prevent future issues, contributing to overall system reliability.

This analytical approach to learning from past experiences is essential for continuous improvement in any organization. You can analyze data, identify root causes of problems, and implement corrective actions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been working on complex electronic and mechanical systems, troubleshooting malfunctions, and ensuring peak performance, which are directly transferable skills to wind turbine maintenance. Your experience with safety protocols and maintenance procedures will also make you a valuable asset.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've been repairing and maintaining advanced electronic systems, using diagnostic tools, and following complex schematics. This experience is directly applicable to robotics maintenance and repair, where you'll troubleshoot and fix automated systems used in manufacturing and other industries.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9021

You're adept at understanding and maintaining complex systems, including electronic controls and sensors. This skill set is perfect for working on building automation systems, where you'll ensure the efficient operation of HVAC, lighting, and security systems in commercial buildings.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Avionics Test Station Specialist Technical Training, Sheppard AFB, TX

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or avionics maintenance

Topics Covered

  • Avionics Fundamentals
  • Electronic Principles and Circuitry
  • Test Equipment Operation and Maintenance
  • Avionics Systems Troubleshooting
  • Radar Systems Maintenance
  • Electronic Warfare Systems Maintenance
  • Automated Test Equipment Programming
  • Calibration Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Focus on consumer electronics repair, advanced troubleshooting techniques, and specific industry standards not covered in military avionics.

CompTIA A+60% covered

Study current PC hardware, operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), networking basics, and troubleshooting software issues, which are less emphasized in avionics-specific training.

ETA International - Avionics Technician Certification (AVN)80% covered

While experience aligns well, review current FAA regulations, advanced avionics systems (beyond military-specific), and complete any hands-on practical exams required.

Recommended Next Certifications

NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certificationCertified Test Engineer (ASQ)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/USM-636(V) Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS)Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems used in electronics manufacturing and repair
AN/ALM-285 Radar Signal SimulatorsRF signal generators and simulators used in telecommunications and radar testing
AN/ALM-244 Radio Frequency (RF) Test SetsSpectrum analyzers and network analyzers for RF testing in commercial electronics
AN/UPM-155 Radar Test SetsRadar test equipment used for civilian air traffic control and weather radar systems
Electronic Warfare (EW) System SimulatorsElectronic countermeasures (ECM) testing equipment
Automated Calibration Systems (ACES)Automated calibration software and hardware used in metrology labs
Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Tester (JSECST)RF and microwave test equipment

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 2A071 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free