Missile and Space Systems Maintenance

What does the Missile and Space Systems Maintenance career field do?

Services and maintains, or supervises these actions, on missiles, space lift boosters, payloads, research, and development (R&D) systems, environmental blast doors and valves, associated subsystems, components, and support equipment (SE). Operates and maintains related equipment. Designs R&D systems. Performs acquisition and activation activities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 163200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Performs missile maintenance actions at support base, launch, launch control, and storage facilities, and ensures compliance with international treaties. Inspects, repairs, adjusts, and replaces, or supervises these actions, on components and subcomponents. Mechanically and electrically connects or disconnects reentry systems, guidance and control sections, missile stages, propulsion systems, and secondary ordnance devices at the launch facility. Prepares missile and launch facility for simulated launch and follow-on test and evaluation. Performs preventive maintenance inspections and electrical tests on missiles; missile components; launch and launch control facilities; support vehicles; hydraulic, pneudraulic, and pneumatic systems; and SE. Initiates unsatisfactory reports, failure reports, or proposed modifications. Performs intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) coding activities.
• Supervises transportation, assembly, and inspection of space lift booster and payload functions, their subsystems, and SE. Coordinates and oversees activities of contractor personnel during space launch activities. Supervises loading, transportation, unloading, inspection, assembly, and hoisting of space lift boosters, payloads, component parts, and satellites at space launch facilities; preparation of space launch complexes; and erection and mating of space lift booster sections, payloads, and SE. Supervises or performs preventive maintenance inspections. Practices and supervises safety procedures when handling nitrogen, liquid fuels, oxidizers, and ordnance devices. Evaluates malfunctions and recommends corrective action.
• Performs and evaluates laboratory R&D activities. Assembles, installs, and tests R & D systems such as energetic materials, propulsion, and satellite. Designs, maintains, modifies, and operates support equipment, such as data acquisition devices, fiber optic, instrumentation. Vacuum systems, test stands, high/low pressure gas, propellant mixing/molding, and exotic fuels storage systems. Supports and advises scientists and engineers during experiment design, setup, and execution. Troubleshoots and resolves anomalies associated with laboratory systems and experiments.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of oxidizers and fuels properties and characteristics; basic hydraulics, pneudraulics, pneumatics, mechanics, and electricity; missile propulsion principles; and use of diagrams and schematics.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or General Education Development (GED) equivalency is mandatory. Courses in mechanics, physics, or basic electricity are desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 2M032 completion of the basic 3 level missile and space systems maintenance course is mandatory.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 2M052. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2M032. Also, experience in functions such as missile, space launch, and R&D, launch control, or preparation of launch facilities.
• 2M072. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2M052. Also, experience performing or supervising missile maintenance, space lift, or laboratory R & D activities.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty the following are mandatory:
• Screened for eligibility and meet requirements of the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) as outlined in HQ AETC PRP Prescreening guidance.
• Passing color vision, as defined by correctly identifying at least 10 of 14 Ishihara Plates.
• Within 12 months of arrival at first duty station obtain civilian driver’s license and operate government vehicles according to AFI 24-301, Ground Transportation.
• Freedom from fear of heights and claustrophobia.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For award of AFSC 2M032: must be administratively Qualified IAW PRP standards outline in the DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 13-501, Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) prior to leaving technical Training.
• For award 2M052/72 and retention of AFSCs 2M032/52/72, the following are mandatory:
• Must meet eligibility requirements to fill critical PRP positions IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 13-501.
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 5 (T5) information, systems, or similar classified environment.
• For award and retention of AFSCs 2M0X2, completion of a current T5 Investigation IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory. NOTE: Award the entry level without a completed T5 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Top Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $31,760–$119,560 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: $68,570
• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician: $66,440
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: $53,160
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: $44,050
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Computer Hardware Engineers: $119,560
• Computer Systems Analysts: $93,730
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers: $41,090
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers: $60,580
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $59,800
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: $48,510
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics: $55,490
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Mechanical Door Repairer: $43,220
• Software Developers: $110,140
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers: $61,470
• Training and Development Managers: $115,640
• Training and Development Specialists: $62,700