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45631 Career Guide

Air Force

45631: Avionics Test Station Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Avionics Test Station Specialist (45631)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 45631 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Electronics Engineering Technician

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)Experience with CAD software

Calibration Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 9000 standards knowledgeSpecific calibration software training

Field Service Engineer

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong customer service skillsProject management basicsVendor-specific product training

Quality Control Inspector

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ certificationKnowledge of quality control methodologies

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 45631 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You maintained and repaired complex avionics systems, using schematics and test equipment to understand how different components interact and affect overall system performance.

This ability to understand and troubleshoot complex systems translates to the civilian world where you can quickly grasp how different elements of a machine or process impact the whole operation.

Procedural Compliance

You adhered to strict maintenance standards, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements while working on avionics systems. Your meticulous attention to detail ensured that all procedures were followed precisely.

This demonstrates a strong commitment to following established protocols, which is highly valued in regulated industries where accuracy and adherence to guidelines are essential.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were able to diagnose and repair avionics systems under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information, to ensure continued operation and mission success.

This adaptability and problem-solving ability in challenging situations translates well to civilian roles where you may need to quickly find solutions when things don't go as planned.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a keen awareness of the operational environment, understanding how avionics systems integrate with other aircraft systems and contribute to overall mission objectives.

This ability to see the big picture and understand how different parts of a system or organization work together is valuable in civilian leadership and management roles.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been maintaining and repairing complex electronic and mechanical systems, just like wind turbines. Your troubleshooting skills with avionics translate directly to diagnosing and fixing turbine malfunctions. Plus, your experience with safety protocols is crucial in this field.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've got a solid background in electronics, mechanics, and computer systems from your avionics work. This means you can easily adapt to maintaining and repairing robots in manufacturing or other automated environments. Your skills in reading schematics and using test equipment will be invaluable.

Semiconductor Processing Technician

SOC 17-3027

You're familiar with cleanroom environments and precision equipment from your avionics background. Your meticulous attention to detail and ability to follow strict procedures make you a great fit for semiconductor manufacturing. Plus, your troubleshooting skills will be highly useful in identifying and resolving process issues.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Avionics Test Station Specialist Training, Sheppard AFB, TX

1,240 training hours31 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Avionics fundamentals and theory
  • Electronic principles and circuit analysis
  • Avionics test equipment operation and maintenance
  • Troubleshooting and repair of avionics systems
  • Calibration procedures and standards
  • Technical documentation and schematics
  • Maintenance management and safety procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Requires study of current electronics technology, troubleshooting techniques, and specific certification exam topics. Need to understand broader range of civilian electronic systems.

IPC-A-610 Certified Standard Application Specialist60% covered

Requires study of current IPC standards for PCB assembly and inspection, materials knowledge specific to civilian manufacturing standards, and certification exam topics.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Test Engineer (CTE)Certified Calibration Technician (CCT)CompTIA Network+Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/USM-636(V) Versatile Avionics Shop Test (VAST)Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems, such as those from Teradyne or Keysight Technologies
AN/APM-424(V)5 Radar Test SetRadar signal generators and analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz or National Instruments
AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management SystemElectronic warfare simulation and testing platforms from companies like Mercury Systems
Common Munitions Built-in Test (BIT) / Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE)Embedded system testing and diagnostics tools, boundary scan testers
Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Tester (JSECST)RF and microwave test equipment for EW systems, spectrum analyzers
Automated Measurement System (AMS)LabVIEW-based automated testing and measurement systems
Advanced Boresight Equipment (ABE)Laser tracker systems, theodolites, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs)

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