U.S. Marine Corps MOS Career Guide
6391 Civilian Careers: Avionics Chief
Marine Corps 6391 Avionics Chiefs supervise aircraft avionics maintenance and repair at intermediate and organizational levels, manage avionics manpower, records, parts, facilities, technical training, approved procedures, and senior aviation logistics functions. Civilian paths fit best in avionics maintenance management, electronics supervision, defense site leadership, quality or reliability management, and aviation logistics or acquisition support.
Official MOS grounding
NAVMC 1200.1L describes 6391 as the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of avionics departments, supervising maintenance and repair of aircraft avionics systems, equipment, and components at IMA and OMA levels. The entry includes occupational-field sponsorship, EKMS account and asset management where applicable, avionics manpower management, subject matter expertise, maintenance program knowledge, facilities organization, spare and replacement parts requisition, maintenance and inspection records, technical training records, management principles, personnel training, approved avionics maintenance procedures, and DAWIA-related development for certain senior billets.
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Section 01
Top Civilian Role Matches for 6391
Avionics Maintenance Manager Senior avionics path
$85k – $165k
This is the clearest civilian path for a 6391 because the MOS supervises aircraft avionics maintenance and repair at intermediate and organizational levels. Employers need leadership scope: avionics systems supported, technicians supervised, work centers managed, inspection results, parts requisition, training, records, and readiness outcomes. Defense aviation, MRO, OEM, and aerospace employers value leaders who understand both avionics and maintenance administration.
AvionicsMaintenance leadershipIMA/OMAReadiness
BLS supervisor median $78,300
Aviation Electronics Supervisor
$80k – $155k
A 6391 can compete for aviation electronics supervisor roles when the resume shows work-center supervision, technical training, maintenance records, repair procedures, supply coordination, and facilities organized for avionics work. This path is strongest when you explain the supported systems in civilian terms and show how your leadership improved throughput, quality, or inspection readiness.
ElectronicsWork centersTrainingSupply
BLS May 2025 wage table
Defense Avionics Site Lead
$95k – $175k
Defense contractors often need site leads who can manage avionics technicians, customer expectations, maintenance records, EKMS or controlled assets where relevant, supply issues, and readiness reporting. 6391 experience fits when you can show senior enlisted leadership, MAG or MALS-level coordination, career-field oversight, and disciplined maintenance management. Clearance eligibility can also matter.
Site leadDefense aviationClearanceCustomer support
Pay varies by contract and scope
Avionics Quality or Reliability Manager
$85k – $160k
The 6391 role includes records, inspections, training, approved procedures, and maintenance management. That can support quality, reliability, or process-improvement roles in aviation electronics environments. Candidates should lead with corrective action, trend awareness, technical publication compliance, training completion, work-center organization, and reduction of repeat maintenance discrepancies.
QualityReliabilityCorrective actionProcedures
BLS May 2025 wage table
Aviation Logistics or Acquisition Support Pathway
$90k – $170k
NAVMC points 6391s toward DAWIA areas such as life cycle logistics, production quality manufacturing, and program management in certain senior billets. That creates a path into aviation logistics, acquisition support, or program operations. This is strongest for Marines with staff-level exposure, policy work, maintenance planning, and cross-command coordination.
DAWIALife cycle logisticsProgram supportAVLOG
Program pay varies widely
Section 02
Transferable Strengths: What Civilian Employers Actually See
◆
Avionics leadership at scale
6391s translate well when they quantify technicians, work centers, systems, inspections, records, and readiness outcomes rather than relying on rank or MOS title.
◆
Maintenance program fluency
Working knowledge of naval aviation maintenance procedures, records, supply documents, and training requirements is valuable in regulated aviation environments.
◆
Manpower and work-center management
Managing avionics manpower, facilities, and work centers maps to civilian supervisor, maintenance manager, and site lead roles.
◆
Quality and training ownership
Technical training, accepted procedures, inspection records, and organic equipment accountability give 6391s a strong quality and workforce-development story.
◆
Acquisition and logistics pathway awareness
DAWIA-related areas can support life cycle logistics, production quality manufacturing, and program management if the Marine has relevant billet exposure and can document it clearly.
Section 03
Common Mistakes 6391s Make in the Civilian Job Search
01
Using only senior enlisted language
Civilian employers need scope and outcomes. Translate MGySgt or MSgt duties into people led, systems managed, work centers supervised, records maintained, and readiness improved.
02
Hiding the technical domain
Leadership is important, but avionics employers also need technical credibility. Include systems categories, maintenance levels, publications, parts, records, and training where accurate.
03
Overclaiming acquisition experience
DAWIA language appears in the MOS, but not every 6391 has the same acquisition exposure. Describe actual billets, training, and program support rather than implying automatic qualification.
Section 04
Certifications That Can Improve the Signal
Project Management Professional: PMP
Cost PMI pricing varies by membership status and region; verify current PMI fee before purchaseTime Requires documented experience and exam preparationFormat Proctored certification exam
PMP can help 6391s translate maintenance planning, site leadership, training, supply coordination, and program support into civilian project language.
Management signal · Useful for site lead and program roles
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
Cost FCC and testing fees vary by Commercial Operator License Examination ManagerTime Self-paced study; exam schedule variesFormat Written elements through approved COLEMs
FCC commercial radio licensing can reinforce technical credibility for avionics and communications-heavy leadership roles. It is a supplement to leadership and systems experience, not a replacement.
Technical signal · Useful for avionics and communications leaders
ASQ Quality Credentials
Cost ASQ exam and membership pricing varies by certificationTime Preparation time varies by credential and experienceFormat Certification exam through ASQ
ASQ credentials can support 6391s moving into aviation quality, reliability, audit, and process-improvement roles where maintenance records and corrective action matter.
Quality bridge · Supports reliability and QA leadership
Section 05
Resume Translation: From Military avionics maintenance leadership to Civilian Language
The 6391 resume should turn Marine aviation wording into civilian functions, equipment, standards, risk controls, and measurable maintenance outcomes.
Before: Vague military language that undersells your scope
Served as a 6391. Maintained aviation equipment, followed technical publications, completed inspections, repaired components, documented work, and supported unit readiness.
↓
After: Civilian language that gets callbacks
Led avionics maintenance and repair functions for aircraft avionics systems, equipment, and components across intermediate and organizational maintenance environments. Supervised avionics technicians, work centers, manpower planning, facilities organization, spare and replacement parts requisition, technical publications, maintenance records, inspection actions, training records, and equipment accountability. Provided subject matter expertise for lower-level avionics specialties, personnel development, maintenance procedures, and readiness reporting. Supported aviation logistics and maintenance leaders with disciplined records, approved procedures, work-center supervision, and corrective action to sustain avionics system availability.
Use this structure for each bullet
Civilian equipment or function first
System, component, facility, aircraft, or shop supported
Inspection, repair, test, operation, planning, or supervision action taken
Safety, quality, technical publication, supply, or documentation standard used
Result tied to readiness, reliability, compliance, uptime, or repair cycle time
Always quantify: technicians supervised, work centers managed, systems supported, records maintained, inspections passed, readiness improved
Last updated June 2026 using the
BLS May 2025 OEWS tables, relevant BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook pages, and official credential information from issuing organizations linked in the certification section. Military duties were verified against NAVMC 1200.1L through the local Markdown accessibility copy and code index.
Section 06
6391 Civilian Career FAQs
What civilian jobs fit 6391 best?
The strongest fits are avionics maintenance manager, aviation electronics supervisor, defense avionics site lead, avionics quality or reliability manager, and aviation logistics or acquisition support roles. The right level depends on your personnel, systems, and staff scope.
Should a 6391 still list hands-on avionics skills?
Yes. Senior leadership matters, but avionics employers need technical credibility. Include systems categories, maintenance levels, records, parts, technical publications, training, and inspection outcomes where accurate.
Does 6391 experience translate to acquisition jobs?
It can, especially for Marines with DAWIA-related billets, life cycle logistics exposure, program support, or staff-level aviation logistics work. Do not overclaim acquisition experience if your work was primarily maintenance supervision.
What should a 6391 quantify?
Quantify technicians supervised, work centers managed, systems supported, maintenance records, training completions, inspection results, parts actions, readiness rates, recurring discrepancies reduced, and staff-level reports or programs supported.
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