Engineering

What does the Engineering career field do?

Directs and performs civil engineering design, drafting, surveying, and contract surveillance to support Air Force facility construction and maintenance programs. Prepares Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions, construction contract specifications, and cost estimates. Operates, and maintains Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Utilizes surveying technology to include Global Positioning System (GPS). Evaluates potential construction sites and performs field tests on soils, asphalt, and concrete. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 141200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Perform drafting duties. Interpret rough engineering sketches to produce working drawings using CAD/BIM techniques. Produce architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical drawings. Update Base Comprehensive Plans (BCP) and maintain record drawings. Plot and reproduce drawings.
• Perform surveying duties. Conduct reconnaissance, site location, construction, and mapping surveys. Utilize auto-levels, electronic total stations, resource and survey grade GPS equipment and related instruments to complete surveys. Collect, convert, and present field survey data for civil engineering projects.
• Perform GIS duties. Produce installation maps using a GIS interface. Create and maintain spatial, tabular and metadata to national standards. Combine disparate datasets from various organizations, with various projections and precisions. Query and analyze geospatial data for end-user applications.
• Perform contract management duties. Manage and inspect construction and maintenance contracts. Interpret plans, specifications, and other contract documents. Coordinate, evaluate, monitor, and document contract activities and progress. Prepare recommendations for contract modifications. Review material submittals and evaluate procedures for compliance with contract specifications. Conduct prefinal, acceptance, and post acceptance inspections.
• Develop preliminary engineering designs. Prepare cost estimates, performance work statements and specifications for existing and proposed facilities. Perform/understand simple load calculations for horizontal and vertical construction. Act as liaison between design, review, construction and using agencies.
• Perform standardized and expedient tests on soils, asphalt, and concrete. Collect, record, and interpret test data. Prepare reports for engineering evaluation.
• Support contingency operations. Develop plans to bed-down personnel, aircraft, and associated support functions during contingency operations. Evaluate existing airfield pavements, lighting, navigational aids, markings, and arresting systems. Perform recovery operations to include explosive ordnance reconnaissance, airfield damage assessment, minimum operating strip selection, repair calculations, and airfield marking procedures.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge of computer operations; and mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is recommended but NOT required.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory. Courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and computer operations is recommended. Completion of high school courses in drafting and software applications is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E531. Completion of the Engineering Apprentice courses J9AQA3E531 00RF, JCAQP3E531 00AA, and JCABP3E531 00AF.
• 3E571. Completion of Engineering Craftsman Course JCACP3E571 01AD
• 3E591. For AD Completion of the Troop Construction Project Management Course (AFIT WGMT 437) Note: Highly recommended for ANG and AFRES.
• 3E591. AD, ANG and AFRES Completion of Civil Engineer Superintendent Course (AFIT WMGT 570).

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

• 3E551. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E531. Also, experience in CAD, GIS, and surveying.
• 3E571. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E551. Also, experience in supervising CAD, BIM, GIS, surveying, material testing, and contract inspection.
• 3E591. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E571. Also, experience in directing functions such as CAD, BIM, GIS, surveying, materials testing, drafting, and contract management.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Vehicle Operations.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 3 skill level, 2 years of lack of recent performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 5 skill level, 4 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 7or 9 skill level, 6 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $41,970–$149,530 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Architects: $82,320
• Architectural and Civil Drafters: $57,500
• Architectural and Engineering Managers: $149,530
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: $68,380
• Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $54,080
• Civil Engineers: $88,570
• Construction Managers: $97,180
• Electrical and Electronics Drafters: $62,100
• Geodetic Surveyors: $65,590
• Mechanical Drafters: $58,270
• Precision Agriculture Technicians: $41,970
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians: $46,200
• Surveyors: $65,590