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6286 Career Guide

Marine Corps

6286: Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic (6286)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6286 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aircraft Mechanic/Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

CAD software proficiencyEngineering principles

Quality Control Inspector

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) certificationKnowledge of quality control standards

Wind Turbine Technician

$58K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Electrical systems trainingClimbing and rescue certificationSafety protocols for wind energy

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6286 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

You followed strict maintenance manuals and safety protocols when inspecting, maintaining, and repairing aircraft safety equipment. This demanded meticulous adherence to procedures to guarantee airworthiness and prevent catastrophic failures.

This translates directly to any role requiring strict adherence to protocols, regulations, and quality standards. Your experience ensures you understand the importance of following guidelines to maintain safety and operational integrity.

System Modeling

As a safety equipment mechanic, you developed a mental model of how complex aircraft safety systems function, interact, and their potential failure modes. This allowed you to diagnose issues efficiently and ensure proper repair.

This ability to understand complex systems translates into analyzing workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing processes in any industry. You can quickly grasp the interconnectedness of system components and predict potential problems.

Rapid Prioritization

You had to quickly assess the severity of equipment malfunctions and prioritize repairs based on mission criticality and potential safety risks. This required quick thinking under pressure to ensure operational readiness.

This skill is highly valuable in fast-paced environments where you need to triage issues, allocate resources effectively, and meet deadlines. Your experience in high-stakes situations makes you adept at making critical decisions quickly and decisively.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining aircraft safety equipment demanded constant awareness of the operational environment, including flight schedules, potential hazards, and the impact of equipment malfunctions on overall mission success. This required you to stay vigilant and anticipate potential problems.

This skill allows you to see the big picture, anticipate potential problems, and proactively address them. You are adept at understanding how your actions impact the overall system and can quickly adapt to changing circumstances.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

You've been meticulously inspecting and maintaining complex systems to ensure safety and reliability. This experience directly translates to managing quality control processes in manufacturing or other industries, where you'll be responsible for ensuring products meet the highest standards.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in strict regulatory environments and understand the importance of adhering to protocols and guidelines. As a compliance officer, you'll use your expertise to ensure organizations follow relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies, mitigating risks and maintaining ethical standards.

Risk Management Specialist

SOC 13-2054.00

You've been constantly assessing potential hazards and prioritizing actions to mitigate risks in high-stakes environments. This experience makes you well-suited to identify, analyze, and evaluate potential risks across various industries, developing strategies to minimize their impact.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC), Pensacola, FL

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Technology

Topics Covered

  • Aviation Life Support Systems (ALSS) Theory
  • Ejection Seat Maintenance and Repair
  • Oxygen System Maintenance
  • Parachute Rigging and Inspection
  • Survival Equipment Inspection and Repair
  • Emergency Breathing Devices
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspection and Maintenance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic60% covered

Requires study of general aviation powerplant systems, reciprocating engines, and FAA regulations outside of military-specific aircraft.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30% covered

CAM is an aviation management certification; experience as a 6286 mechanic provides a foundation, but study in business management, leadership, and aviation-specific regulations is needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)Lean 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
Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP)FAA aircraft maintenance regulations and compliance software
Joint Technical Data Integration (JTDI)SAE International standards database, technical documentation platforms
Automated Support Equipment (ASE)Automated testing and diagnostic equipment for safety systems
Aviation Life Support Systems (ALSS)Parachute rigging and inspection equipment, survival gear maintenance tools
AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG)Commercial night vision devices and maintenance tools
Advanced Ejection Seat SystemsEjection seat maintenance and certification programs

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