61D2 Career Guide
61D2: Research and Development Scientist
Career transition guide for Air Force Research and Development Scientist (61D2)
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Top civilian roles for 61D2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Research Scientist
Data Scientist
Skills to develop:
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Management Consultant
Skills to develop:
Operations Research Analyst
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 61D2 training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
As a research program manager, you create models to understand complex systems, whether it's predicting the effectiveness of new technologies or optimizing resource allocation across multiple projects.
Your ability to build and analyze system models translates directly into understanding and improving complex business processes, supply chains, or organizational structures.
Resource Optimization
You are responsible for managing research budgets, personnel, and equipment to maximize the impact and efficiency of research projects. This demands careful planning and resource allocation.
Your experience optimizing resources translates into skills highly valued in roles requiring efficient project management, strategic planning, and budget oversight.
After-Action Analysis
You analyze the results of research projects and programs, identifying areas for improvement and lessons learned to enhance future research efforts.
Your proficiency in after-action analysis enables you to critically evaluate project outcomes, identify best practices, and drive continuous improvement in any organization.
Pattern Recognition
You identify trends and anomalies in research data to make predictions and develop new strategies or technologies. This allows you to see connections others miss.
Your sharp eye for spotting patterns and anomalies in research translates into skills highly valued in data analysis, market research, and risk management roles.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051You've been building and analyzing complex models to predict outcomes and manage resources. As a Business Intelligence Analyst, you'll use those same skills to analyze market trends, forecast sales, and inform strategic decision-making for businesses. Your experience in research analysis directly translates to providing valuable insights.
Management Consultant
SOC 13-1111You've been planning, coordinating, and directing research projects. As a Management Consultant, you'll use your organizational skills, project management expertise, and understanding of complex systems to help businesses improve efficiency and effectiveness. Your ability to manage technical projects will give you a unique advantage.
Financial Analyst
SOC 13-2051You've honed your skills in resource optimization and data analysis. As a Financial Analyst, you'll leverage these skills to analyze financial data, manage investment portfolios, and advise companies on financial strategies. Your experience in budgeting and forecasting will be highly valued.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Advanced Academic Degree and Utilization Tour
Topics Covered
- •Research methodologies and experimental design
- •Data analysis and statistical modeling
- •Project management and program administration
- •Technical writing and scientific communication
- •Interdisciplinary scientific knowledge
- •DoD research regulations and policies
- •Contract management and monitoring
- •Scientific ethics and integrity
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), specific PMI terminology, and the PMP exam format.
In-depth knowledge of research regulations, compliance, and grant administration specific to civilian research institutions and funding agencies.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) research tools | Various scientific research tools (MATLAB, LabVIEW, COMSOL) |
| Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) | High-performance computing clusters and scientific networks |
| Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) | Cost estimation software (e.g., ProPricer, PRICE TruePlanning) |
| System Engineering Plan (SEP) | Project Management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, MS Project) |
| DoD Techipedia | Industry knowledge repositories (e.g., IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect) |
| Joint Technical Architecture (JTA) | Enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) |
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