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7231 Career Guide

Navy

7231: Engineering Technician (Submarine)

Career transition guide for Navy Engineering Technician (Submarine) (7231)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7231 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Mechanical Engineering Technician

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

CAD Software ProficiencySpecific industry knowledge

Electrical Engineering Technician

$68K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

PLC ProgrammingElectrical Safety Standards

Quality Control Inspector

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Six Sigma CertificationISO 9001 Standards

Marine Engineer

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Naval Architecture KnowledgeShip Systems Certification

Power Plant Operator

$72K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Power Plant CertificationThermodynamics Training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7231 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an Engineering Technician on a submarine, you maintain and troubleshoot complex systems, requiring a deep understanding of how these systems interact and function as a whole. You create mental models to diagnose issues and predict system behavior.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to civilian roles where you'll analyze processes, identify bottlenecks, and propose improvements by developing conceptual frameworks.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Submarines must operate effectively even when systems are damaged or malfunctioning. You're trained to maintain essential functions in emergency situations, adapting procedures and finding creative solutions under pressure.

Your experience in degraded-mode operations means you excel at maintaining operational effectiveness when things go wrong, a highly valuable skill in any fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Situational Awareness

On a submarine, maintaining constant situational awareness is paramount. You monitor multiple data streams, track equipment status, and anticipate potential problems to ensure the vessel's safety and mission success.

Your heightened situational awareness makes you adept at quickly assessing complex environments, identifying potential risks, and responding effectively to unexpected changes, a skill highly prized in many civilian settings.

Procedural Compliance

Submarine operations demand strict adherence to procedures to ensure safety and operational effectiveness. You are rigorously trained to follow protocols and maintain meticulous records.

Your commitment to procedural compliance translates directly to civilian roles requiring precision, accuracy, and adherence to established guidelines, ensuring high-quality outcomes and minimizing errors.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Engineering Technician

SOC 17-3026.00

You've been rigorously trained to analyze and optimize complex systems. This makes you well-equipped to improve efficiency in manufacturing processes, streamline workflows, and reduce waste in an industrial setting.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

Your dedication to procedural compliance and attention to detail makes you an excellent candidate to ensure organizations adhere to regulations and internal policies, preventing costly errors and maintaining operational integrity.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9091.00

You've honed your skills in degraded-mode operations and situational awareness, making you invaluable in preparing for and responding to emergencies. Your calm demeanor under pressure and ability to adapt quickly make you perfect for developing and executing emergency response plans.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Submarine Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) Course, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Goose Creek, SC

1,680 training hours42 weeksUp to 30 semester hours in engineering and nuclear technology recommended

Topics Covered

  • Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
  • Fluid Systems and Hydraulics
  • Reactor Principles and Operation
  • Electrical Power Generation and Distribution (Submarine)
  • Submarine Auxiliary Systems
  • Operational Procedures and Casualty Response (Submarine)
  • Nuclear Chemistry and Radiological Controls
  • Materials Science and Engineering (Submarine Specific)

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Engineering Technologist (CET)70% covered

Requires knowledge of specific civilian engineering codes and practices. Review relevant CET exam topics such as applied mathematics, electrical circuits, and instrumentation.

ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT)60% covered

Requires knowledge of quality control principles, metrology, and statistical process control within a civilian manufacturing context. Study inspection techniques and quality standards.

Recommended Next Certifications

Professional Engineer (PE) license (after meeting education and experience requirements)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Submarine Main Electrical Distribution System (EDS)Industrial Power Distribution Systems (e.g., Schneider Electric, Eaton)
Submarine Auxiliary Seawater System (AWS)Industrial Chiller and Water Treatment Systems (e.g., Trane, Veolia)
Submarine Atmosphere Control System (ACS)Industrial Air Purification and Gas Monitoring Systems (e.g., Honeywell Analytics)
Integrated Condition Assessment System (ICAS)Predictive Maintenance Software (e.g., GE Digital, IBM Maximo)
Fiber Optic Data Multiplex System (FODMS)Industrial Ethernet Networks and Fiber Optic Communication (e.g., Cisco, Siemens)
Submarine Hydraulic Systems (SHS)Industrial Hydraulic Power Units and Systems (e.g., Parker Hannifin, Bosch Rexroth)

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