Combat Systems Technician
Also posted as Combat Systems Maintenance Technician; C5ISR Technician; Shipboard Combat Systems Technician
A combat systems technician performs combat-system integration and maintenance, sensor-to-weapon data-path troubleshooting, and system readiness testing to keep naval combat, sensor, communications, and mission systems safe, reliable, compliant, and ready for operation. Many people start with a two-year associate degree or a technical certificate rather than a four-year degree.
Below: what it pays, what you'd do, the skills you need, and how to become one.
The role profile
Everything you need to know about this role, the same details employers use to post openings and colleges use to build training.
How much does it pay?
Explore the core responsibilities of this role, from daily operations and equipment handling to safety, quality, and performance requirements.
Maintain combat systems
Keep integrated combat systems aligned, updated, and mission-ready across subsystems.
Troubleshoot sensor-to-weapon paths
Trace data paths from sensor to weapon to find where the track breaks down.
Run readiness testing
Execute system readiness tests and document results before operations.
Diagnose electronic systems
Isolate electronic faults across consoles, processors, and interface equipment.
What skills do you need?
Three core skills sit at the heart of this role. You can learn all of them through short, hands-on training.
Combat System Integration
Keeping integrated combat subsystems aligned and mission-ready.
Data Path Troubleshooting
Tracing sensor-to-weapon data paths to find where tracks break.
Readiness Testing
Running and documenting system readiness checks before operations.
Related roles.
Ready to start your
technician journey?
Get matched with training, apprenticeships, and employers tailored to this role.
