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9S290 Career Guide

Air Force

9S290: Applied Signals Intelligence Analyst

Career transition guide for Air Force Applied Signals Intelligence Analyst (9S290)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 9S290 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Remote Sensing Scientist

$95K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific software proficiency (e.g., ENVI, ArcGIS)Advanced image processing techniquesSpecific remote sensing certifications

Environmental Data Analyst

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Statistical analysis software (e.g., R, Python)Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)Knowledge of environmental regulations

Geophysical Technician

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific geophysical survey techniquesEquipment operation and maintenanceSafety protocols

Research and Development Technician

$60K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Lab experienceSpecific equipment certificationsDocumentation and reporting skills

Radiological Control Technician

$80K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Radiation safety trainingHP certificationKnowledge of regulatory requirements

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 9S290 training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

9S290s are trained to identify subtle patterns in complex data from various sensors (e.g., radiation, chemical, electro-optic). This involves recognizing anomalies and deviations from expected baselines in sensor readings to detect potential threats or environmental changes.

This skill translates to the ability to identify meaningful trends and anomalies in complex datasets, which is valuable in fields that require data analysis and interpretation.

System Modeling

This role involves understanding and working with complex electronic sensor systems. They develop mental models of how these systems function, interact with each other, and respond to different environmental conditions.

The ability to create and understand system models translates into skills in designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex systems in various industries.

Degraded-Mode Operations

9S290s are trained to maintain and operate sophisticated sensor systems even when components fail or are damaged. They troubleshoot problems, implement workarounds, and keep systems operational under less-than-ideal conditions.

Experience in degraded-mode operations demonstrates an ability to maintain functionality and solve problems under pressure, a skill highly valued in any technical field.

Situational Awareness

These airmen must maintain a high degree of situational awareness to understand the context of their sensor data. This includes understanding the environmental conditions, potential threats, and the operational objectives to make informed decisions.

Situational awareness translates into the ability to quickly assess complex situations, understand the relevant factors, and make informed decisions, a critical skill in dynamic and high-pressure environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051

You've been collecting, processing, and analyzing complex scientific data to derive actionable insights. This makes you well-prepared to apply those skills in the civilian sector, identifying trends and patterns that drive business decisions.

Environmental Consultant

SOC 19-2041

You're already familiar with environmental monitoring, sampling, and data interpretation. This experience can be leveraged to help companies comply with environmental regulations and develop sustainable practices, a field that needs your expertise in rapidly deployable and fixed airborne materials sampling platforms.

Quality Assurance Engineer

SOC 17-2111

Your experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex electronic sensor systems and rapidly deployable and fixed airborne materials sampling platforms equips you to design and implement quality control processes in manufacturing or other technical fields, ensuring that products and systems meet required standards.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Signals Intelligence Training, Goodfellow AFB, TX

1,280 training hours32 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in physical science, electronics, or information technology

Topics Covered

  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Fundamentals
  • Electronic Warfare (EW) Principles
  • Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
  • Data Collection and Analysis Techniques
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
  • Sensor Systems Operation and Maintenance
  • Reporting and Dissemination Procedures
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Instrumentation Specialist (CIS)60% covered

Study specific instrumentation techniques and calibration procedures relevant to civilian industries. Focus on regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, EPA) and documentation practices required in civilian settings.

Certified Calibration Technician (CCT)50% covered

Learn about ISO 17025 standards, measurement uncertainty analysis, and specific calibration procedures for instruments not typically used in military applications. Understand the nuances of traceability and audit requirements.

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)40% covered

Focus on quality management principles, statistical process control, and design of experiments as applied in manufacturing and service industries. Learn about quality auditing and risk management techniques specific to civilian businesses.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Data Scientist (various providers)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Distributed Common Ground System-Air Force (DCGS-AF)Data analytics platforms (e.g., Splunk, Palantir) and intelligence analysis software
Electromagnetic Spectrum Analyzer (ESA)Spectrum analyzers (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz) used in telecommunications and electronic engineering
Joint Threat Warning System (JTWS)Environmental monitoring systems, public warning systems, or industrial safety monitoring equipment
Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP)Airborne sensor packages used in environmental monitoring or geophysical surveying
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) detection systemsHazardous material detection equipment, environmental monitoring sensors, and laboratory analysis instruments
Imagery exploitation software (e.g. ENVI, SOCET GXP)Remote sensing and image analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI)

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