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45651 Career Guide

Air Force

45651: Avionics Test Station Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Avionics Test Station Specialist (45651)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 45651 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)CAD software proficiency

Calibration Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 17025 knowledgeSpecific calibration software training

Field Service Engineer (Avionics)

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong customer service skillsProject ManagementAdvanced troubleshooting on specific avionics platforms

Aerospace Quality Assurance Specialist

$78K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

AS9100 auditing certificationKnowledge of aerospace quality standards

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 45651 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You build mental models of complex avionics systems to understand how individual components interact and identify potential points of failure.

This skill allows you to understand and troubleshoot complex systems, predict their behavior, and identify potential problems before they arise, making you valuable in any technical field.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict maintenance standards, safety protocols, and documentation procedures when working on avionics equipment.

This demonstrates your meticulous nature and ability to follow established procedures, ensuring quality and safety in regulated environments.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are skilled at troubleshooting and repairing avionics systems even when resources are limited or under pressure, finding creative solutions to keep equipment operational.

This showcases your ability to adapt and problem-solve under challenging circumstances, a valuable asset in dynamic and fast-paced work environments.

After-Action Analysis

You initiate deficiency reports and analyze maintenance data to identify trends and improve the reliability and performance of avionics systems.

Your analytical mindset allows you to learn from past experiences and implement improvements, contributing to continuous optimization and efficiency.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems Technician

SOC 49-9071

You've been working with complex electronic systems, troubleshooting malfunctions, and following strict maintenance procedures on avionics equipment. This experience directly translates to maintaining and repairing the control systems that operate industrial machinery and processes.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

Your expertise in diagnosing and repairing intricate electronic and mechanical systems, along with your ability to interpret schematics and use diagnostic equipment, makes you well-suited for maintaining and repairing robots used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9052

You're familiar with maintaining complex electro-mechanical systems in challenging environments. Your avionics experience gives you a solid foundation for working on the intricate systems within wind turbines, including electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Avionics Test Station Specialist Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

1,280 training hours32 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Electronic Principles
  • Avionics Systems Fundamentals
  • Test Equipment Operation and Maintenance
  • Fault Isolation Techniques
  • Calibration Procedures
  • Radar Systems
  • Electronic Warfare Systems
  • Communication Systems

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Focus on consumer electronics, industrial electronics, and specific troubleshooting techniques not covered in military avionics.

CompTIA A+60% covered

Study PC hardware, operating systems, networking, security, and troubleshooting as it applies to general IT environments, not just avionics systems.

ETA International Avionics Technician (AVN)80% covered

Review specific regulations and FAA requirements for civilian avionics maintenance, repair, and inspection, as well as differences in aircraft systems.

Recommended Next Certifications

FAA Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) certificationCertified Test Engineer (e.g., ASQ)Six Sigma Green BeltProject 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) Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS)Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for electronics manufacturing and repair, such as those from Keysight or National Instruments
AN/APM-424 Radar Test SetRadar signal generators and analyzers used in telecommunications and aerospace industries, such as those from Rohde & Schwarz
AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management SystemElectronic warfare simulation and testing tools used in defense contracting, such as those from Mercury Systems or BAE Systems
Common Munitions Built-in Test (BIT) Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE)Firmware update and diagnostic tools for embedded systems, similar to those used in automotive or industrial automation
Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Tester (JSECST)RF and microwave test equipment used in telecommunications and defense industries, such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators from Tektronix
Automated Measurement Technology System (AMTS)Calibration management software and systems used in manufacturing and metrology labs, such as those from Fluke Calibration

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