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2M031 Career Guide

Air Force

2M031: Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Technician (2M031)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2M031 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD software proficiencyFEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Calibration Technician

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 9001:2015 trainingSpecific calibration software training

Electronics Engineering Technician

$70K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced soldering techniquesCircuit board repair certification

Quality Control Inspector

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Six Sigma certificationKnowledge of quality control methodologiesSpecific industry standards training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2M031 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely monitor missile systems, spacelift boosters, payloads, and their subsystems, analyzing performance data to understand how each component interacts within the larger system and predict potential issues.

Your ability to understand complex systems and predict outcomes translates to analyzing and optimizing various processes and workflows in different industries.

Procedural Compliance

You are deeply familiar with maintaining technical orders, following strict maintenance procedures, and adhering to safety protocols when dealing with missiles, spacelift boosters, and R&D systems.

Your dedication to following procedures meticulously makes you ideal for roles requiring strict adherence to regulations and standards, ensuring safety and accuracy.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You have experience in diagnosing malfunctions, troubleshooting complex systems under pressure, and performing repairs in less-than-ideal conditions, ensuring mission-critical equipment remains operational.

Your ability to effectively handle crises and maintain operations when systems fail is valuable in roles requiring quick thinking and problem-solving under pressure.

Situational Awareness

You maintain constant awareness of the status of missiles, spacelift boosters, payloads, subsystems, and support equipment, anticipating potential problems and coordinating with other team members during launch processing and maintenance activities.

Your ability to maintain awareness of your surroundings, anticipate potential problems, and coordinate with others translates to effectively managing projects and teams in dynamic environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems Technician

SOC 49-9071.00

You've been hands-on with complex electronic systems, diagnosing and repairing issues with missiles and spacelift boosters. This experience directly translates to maintaining and troubleshooting industrial control systems in manufacturing, power plants, or other industrial settings. Your familiarity with technical orders and safety protocols is also highly valuable.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9069.00

You've got a solid background in maintaining and repairing sophisticated electromechanical systems. Your expertise in troubleshooting and repairing missiles translates well to the maintenance and repair of robotic systems used in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics. You are already familiar with the kind of precision and attention to detail this work demands.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9081.00

You've worked on complex electromechanical systems. As a missile technician, you understand system modeling, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Your skills are directly applicable to wind turbine technology, where you'll maintain and repair these large-scale energy systems.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Technical Training, Sheppard AFB

1,100 training hours28 weeksUp to 20 semester hours recommended in electronics, aerospace technology, and industrial maintenance

Topics Covered

  • Missile Systems Theory
  • Electronic Test Equipment Operation
  • Launch Control Systems
  • Guidance and Control Systems Maintenance
  • Payload Integration Procedures
  • Spacelift Booster Maintenance
  • Automated Test Equipment Troubleshooting
  • ICBM Coding Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA A+60% covered

Focus on current PC hardware, operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), mobile devices, networking fundamentals, and troubleshooting best practices.

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Review the specific CET exam topics, including electronic components, circuitry, and troubleshooting techniques. Additional study may be needed regarding current industry standards.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Project Manager (PMI)Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltDoD 8570/8140 Compliance (depending on specific role, e.g., Security+ CE, CISSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)Large-scale industrial control systems and automation (e.g., SCADA systems used in chemical plants or power grids)
Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs)Guidance systems for long-range drones or autonomous vehicles
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for missile systemsAutomated testing platforms (e.g., National Instruments LabVIEW, Keysight Technologies test automation software)
Launch Control SystemsIndustrial control systems for critical infrastructure (e.g., power plants, oil refineries)
Missile Guidance SystemsPrecision navigation and control systems for autonomous vehicles or robotics
Spacelift BoostersLarge-scale rocket propulsion systems used in commercial space launch industry (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin)
Energetic Materials Testing EquipmentMaterials testing and characterization equipment used in the chemical and aerospace industries

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