Space Force · 61AX
Your Science and Engineering Officer experience maps to civilian jobs like Natural Sciences Managers—and well beyond. Explore the specific roles below, see what each pays and requires, and build from there.
These are the civilian jobs the U.S. Department of Labor maps to 61AX, plus the roles most closely related to them—ordered from the closest match. Think of them as a floor, not a ceiling: see what each role involves and pays, start where your Science and Engineering Officer experience already fits, and build toward the rest.
$157,740/yr median~97K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Graduate or professional degree
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Science and Engineering Officer work maps straight onto the management & project leadership side of this role.
$98,580/yr mediantypical $58k–$163k~948K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth; many openings
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Science and Engineering Officer occupations on the business & financial operations side—a natural next step.
$100,730/yr mediantypical $68k–$154k~19K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Science and Engineering Officer occupations on the engineering & technical design side—a natural next step.
$108,020/yr mediantypical $61k–$184k~193K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Science and Engineering Officer occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$51,430/yr mediantypical $37k–$80k~77K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Science and Engineering Officer occupations on the science & analysis side—a natural next step.
$91,100/yr mediantypical $52k–$159k~61K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Graduate or professional degree
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Science and Engineering Officer occupations on the science & analysis side—a natural next step.
$84,680/yr mediantypical $53k–$150k~84K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Science and Engineering Officer occupations on the science & analysis side—a natural next step.
Source: O*NET / DMDC Military Crosswalk and O*NET related-occupations data, August 2024. Pay is BLS OEWS (May 2023).
Use the level that reflects what you actually did—not rank alone. Two people with the same code and very different experience should not submit the same résumé.
Translate planning, technical judgment, briefings, team leadership, and the people and resources you were accountable for.
Emphasize programs, budgets, cross-functional organizations, policy, risk ownership, and measurable operational outcomes.
Target director, program, operations, and public-sector leadership roles that match your actual scope.
A translated title isn't enough. These four moves turn Science and Engineering Officer experience into evidence a civilian hiring manager can act on.
List the systems, vehicles, equipment, and tools you personally operated as Science and Engineering Officer—plus qualifications, certifications, and the recurring high-stakes tasks you owned.
Guardians led, dollar value of equipment you were accountable for, workload, readiness rates, and safety or quality outcomes. Scope beats adjectives.
For any target role, name the license, degree, or software it requires and start now—your GI Bill and credentialing assistance can cover most of it.
Recruiters rarely search “61AX.” Search job boards by the equipment, skills, and outcomes above as much as by “Science and Engineering Officer.”
You don't have to make this jump alone. These programs exist specifically to move service members into civilian careers—most are free, and several pay you while you train.
Train or intern with a civilian employer during your last ~180 days on active duty—at full military pay.
Earn a paycheck while you train for a trade or technical role; USMAP can credit the military training you already have.
Corporate fellowships and hiring events that place transitioning service members and military spouses.
Free career training and nationally recognized certifications for service members, veterans, and spouses.
VA-funded high-tech training (IT, cyber, data, software) that does not touch your GI Bill entitlement.
Free local career centers plus certification and state-by-state license finders for any field.
Free placement into registered apprenticeships across the building and construction trades.
How to use this: Treat these as targets, not limits. Your exact duties depend on your assignments, so lead with what you actually did—and remember that regulated careers require their own license, certification, or degree.