Navy AE Sailors maintain aircraft electrical, instrument, power generation, conversion and distribution, battery, lighting, control, flight control, warning, navigation, stabilization, and environmental control systems. Civilian paths fit aviation electrical maintenance, avionics support, aircraft mechanic pathways, electrical repair, and quality roles when systems and credentials are stated clearly.
Navy Rating / NEC
Aviation maintenance
Updated June 2026
Official classification grounding
Navy OCCSTDS describes AE as maintaining electrical and instrument systems, power generation, conversion and distribution, batteries, lighting, aircraft system electrical control, hydraulic, landing gear, flight control, utility and power plant engine controls, warning systems, automatic flight control, compass, attitude reference, inertial navigation, and environmental control systems.
Start Here
Choose the part you need first.
Aircraft Electrical or Avionics Technician$60k – $125kBLS May 2025 wage table
A&P Mechanic Pathway$55k – $120kBLS May 2025 wage table
Aviation Quality Inspector Pathway$60k – $125kBLS May 2025 wage table
Industrial Electrical Technician$55k – $115kBLS May 2025 wage table
Maintenance Supervisor Pathway$70k – $140kBLS May 2025 wage table
Aircraft Electrical or Avionics Technician Best direct path
$60k – $125k
AE experience maps to aircraft electrical and avionics maintenance through power generation, distribution, batteries, lighting, instruments, warning systems, navigation, stabilization, and environmental controls.
Navy aviation maintenance experience can support an FAA mechanic path, but the FAA determines eligibility and testing requirements. Present military experience as preparation, not automatic certification.
Inspection, technical publications, discrepancy correction, and maintenance records can support quality roles. Employers need standards followed, findings documented, and corrective actions verified.
Aircraft electrical troubleshooting can translate into industrial electrical and commercial electronics maintenance when systems, test equipment, and safety procedures are named clearly.
Senior Sailors can target maintenance lead roles when they show technicians supervised, maintenance actions coordinated, inspections passed, training completed, and readiness improved.
Transferable Strengths: What Civilian Employers Actually See
◆
Technical publication discipline
Civilian aviation employers value technicians who follow manuals, document discrepancies, and verify corrective actions.
◆
Safety and quality habits
ORM, inspections, records, and controlled maintenance translate to regulated aviation and industrial workplaces.
◆
Systems language
Name the exact systems, equipment, data products, or materials you supported so recruiters can match experience to job postings.
◆
Credential honesty
Military experience is valuable, but FAA, weather, hazmat, and employer credentials remain separate civilian gates.
◆
Readiness impact
Tie maintenance, analysis, servicing, or logistics work to aircraft availability, safe operations, or leader decisions.
Section 03
Common Mistakes AEs Make in the Civilian Job Search
01
Using rating shorthand alone
Spell out the civilian function behind the Navy rating so non-military recruiters can understand the work.
02
Overclaiming credentials
Do not imply military experience automatically grants FAA, meteorology, hazmat, or other civilian authority.
03
Leaving out measurable scope
Quantify systems, aircraft, inspections, reports, products, work orders, equipment, or people supported.
Section 04
Certifications That Can Improve the Signal
FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Cost FAA certificate costs vary by testing, examiner, school, and applicant pathTime Eligibility and testing timeline variesFormat FAA knowledge, oral, and practical testing
FAA mechanic certification is important for many civilian aircraft maintenance roles. Military experience may support eligibility, but FAA approval is separate.
Credential gate · Important for aircraft maintenance
FCC GROL
Cost FCC and testing fees vary by COLEMTime Self-paced study; exam schedule variesFormat Written elements through approved COLEMs
Cost ASQ exam and membership pricing varies by certificationTime Preparation varies by credentialFormat Certification exam
ASQ credentials support quality, inspection, and reliability paths.
Quality bridge · Useful for QA roles
Section 05
Resume Translation: From Navy Aviation Electrician's Mate to Civilian Language
The AE resume should translate rating language into civilian equipment, systems, procedures, safety controls, and measurable outcomes.
Before: Vague military language that undersells your scope
Served as a Navy AE. Maintained equipment, supported operations, followed procedures, trained Sailors, and helped the command meet mission requirements.
↓
After: Civilian language that gets callbacks
Performed Navy Aviation Electrician's Mate duties supporting aviation readiness, safety, technical compliance, and operational execution. Inspected, maintained, analyzed, serviced, documented, or coordinated assigned systems and work products using technical publications, safety procedures, quality controls, and command standards. Supported aircraft, equipment, operational teams, or decision makers by identifying discrepancies, completing corrective actions, maintaining records, communicating status, and protecting readiness. Trained junior personnel, supported inspections, and translated technical findings into practical recommendations for maintenance, operations, or leadership teams.
The AE Translation Formula
Military term
Civilian translation
Proof to show
Aircraft electrical systems
aviation electrical maintenance across power, lighting, controls, and distribution
systems, faults, aircraft, and return-to-service results
Wiring diagrams
circuit troubleshooting using schematics, test equipment, and technical publications
circuits tested, faults isolated, and repeat repairs reduced
Generators and power control
aircraft power-generation and control-system inspection and repair
systems serviced, tests passed, and downtime reduced
Maintenance publications
regulated aviation documentation and procedure compliance
publications used, records, audits, and discrepancies corrected
Quality and safety checks
verification before aircraft or equipment returns to service
inspections, QA findings, and safety outcomes
Always quantify aircraft, systems, inspections, reports, products, work orders, or personnel supported.
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. Navy duties were verified against Navy OCCSTDS through the local Markdown accessibility copy and code index.
Section 06
AE Civilian Career FAQs
What civilian jobs fit this Navy rating best?
The strongest fits depend on the rating focus: aviation maintenance, technical support, operations, quality, safety, analysis, logistics, or apprenticeship roles. Target postings by function, not only by the Navy rating title.
Does this rating automatically grant civilian credentials?
No. Military experience is valuable, but FAA, meteorology, hazmat, quality, or employer-specific credentials have separate requirements. Use military experience as evidence and verify each civilian gate.
What should be quantified on the resume?
Quantify aircraft, systems, inspections, maintenance actions, discrepancies corrected, reports produced, products briefed, equipment serviced, people trained, and readiness or safety outcomes.
How should classified or sensitive work be handled?
Stay at the system and function level. Describe maintenance, analysis, safety, readiness, documentation, and decision support without exposing sensitive missions, capabilities, procedures, or locations.
Ready to translate the work
Build a AE civilian career blueprint
CommandPath turns your rating, NECs, collateral duties, systems, clearances, and leadership scope into a practical next-step plan.
Just picked AE, or still choosing between jobs? Save your pathway now and get an immediate brief on what this field becomes. Private, free, takes 90 seconds.