Civilian Engineering Careers

There are many opportunities to apply your engineering know-how in a civilian career. After the Navy jobs vary from automotive technician to aerospace engineer and materials scientist to marine architect. Check out these available fields and see what speaks to you and your interests.

Nuclear Operations Technician

Nuclear Operations Technicians operate equipment used for the release, control or utilization of nuclear energy to assist scientists in laboratory or production activities.

Nuclear Monitoring Technician

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and possible contamination of humans, facilities and the environment.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers research, design, develop, test or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military or scientific use.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines and other mechanically functioning equipment. They oversee the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of equipment, such as centralized heat, gas, water and steam systems.

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers perform engineering duties in designing, constructing and testing aircraft, missiles and spacecraft. They may conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture and may recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Automotive Engineer/Automotive Technician

Automotive Engineers and Automotive Technicians work to determine the practicality of proposed product design changes and carry out tests of experimental devices or equipment for performance, durability or efficiency.

Avionics Technician

Avionics Technicians install, inspect, test, adjust or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles. 

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants and water and sewage systems.

Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. They prepare designs, specifications or estimates for transportation facilities. They also plan modifications of existing streets, highways or freeways to improve traffic flow.

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers and glass. They determine ways to strengthen or combine materials, or they develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers design, integrate or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. They may work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Marine Architect

Marine Architects design and oversee construction and repair of marine craft and floating structures, such as ships, barges, tugs, dredges, submarines, torpedoes, floats and buoys.

 Source: O*NET Online (2013)