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45733 Career Guide

Air Force

45733: Avionics Systems Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Avionics Systems Specialist (45733)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 45733 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$70K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license

Electronics Technician

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specialized certifications in specific electronic systems

Field Service Technician (Aerospace)

$80K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific product knowledge related to the aerospace industryStrong customer service skills

Quality Control Inspector (Aerospace)

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certificationKnowledge of quality control standards in aerospace

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 45733 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely analyze complex avionics systems, understanding how individual components interact to achieve overall functionality. This involves creating mental models to predict system behavior and diagnose malfunctions.

This ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems is valuable in roles that involve designing, maintaining, or troubleshooting interconnected processes.

Procedural Compliance

Your work demands strict adherence to technical orders, schematics, and maintenance procedures to ensure aircraft safety and operational readiness. You understand the importance of following established protocols meticulously.

Your commitment to following procedures translates to roles where accuracy, consistency, and safety are paramount, such as regulatory compliance, quality assurance, or process engineering.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining aircraft requires constant vigilance and awareness of the surrounding environment. You must be aware of potential hazards, changing conditions, and the status of the aircraft systems to ensure safe and effective maintenance.

Your ability to assess your surroundings and anticipate potential problems makes you well-suited for roles requiring quick thinking and adaptability, such as emergency management or risk analysis.

After-Action Analysis

Your experience in analyzing reports and maintenance data collection summaries to determine trends and production effectiveness hones your ability to learn from past events and improve future performance.

This skill in identifying areas for improvement, optimizing workflows, and preventing future errors is crucial in roles that focus on process improvement, quality control, or project management.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've been trained to troubleshoot and repair complex electromechanical systems, just like wind turbines. Your experience with diagnostics, maintenance procedures, and safety protocols makes you a great fit for keeping these renewable energy sources running smoothly.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9012.00

You're skilled at understanding integrated systems and using diagnostic tools. Building automation systems are complex networks of interconnected devices that control HVAC, lighting, and security. You've been working with similar systems on aircraft, so you can easily transfer those skills to buildings.

Amusement Park Ride Mechanic

SOC 49-9071.00

You've been entrusted with ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft, often under pressure. Your experience with diagnostics, repair, and preventative maintenance directly translates to keeping amusement park rides safe and thrilling. You're already familiar with the high stakes and meticulous attention to detail required.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Avionics Systems Apprentice Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

1,120 training hours28 weeksUp to 15 semester hours in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Electronic Principles
  • Digital Logic
  • Microprocessors
  • Avionics Systems Theory
  • Aircraft Communication Systems
  • Navigation Systems (GPS, INS)
  • Radar Systems
  • Electronic Warfare Systems

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Aviation Technician (AMT)70% covered

FAA regulatory knowledge, general aviation maintenance practices, and specific aircraft systems outside of military experience.

CompTIA A+60% covered

Focus on computer hardware troubleshooting, software installation, and networking concepts relevant to general IT environments.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Avionics Technician (CETa)FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseCertified Electronics Technician (CET)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/APG-68 Radar SystemWeather and navigation radar systems used in commercial aviation
AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Warfare PodElectronic countermeasures (ECM) systems used in commercial aviation and defense industries
Inertial Navigation System (INS)Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) in civilian aircraft and vehicles
Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS)Air traffic control radar systems and ground surveillance radar technologies
AN/ARC-210 RadioCommercial aviation VHF/UHF communication radios, satellite communication systems
Flight Management System (FMS)Commercial aviation flight management systems, including navigation and performance optimization software
Automated Maintenance SystemsEnterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

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