Military Technician Position Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry‑level technicians (0‑2 yrs) earn $55,000–$70,000, mid‑level (3‑6 yrs) earn $70,000–$90,000, and senior technicians (7‑10+ yrs) earn $90,000–$120,000. Pay varies by wing: Navy technicians often receive an additional $5,000–$10,000 for sea‑ready certification, while Air Force roles may include a $2,000–$3,000 flight‑crew supplement.

Core skills: electrical circuit troubleshooting, mechanical repair, diagnostic software (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW, CATIA), cybersecurity fundamentals, and compliance with DoD security protocols. Mandatory certifications include CompTIA Security+, Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), and for cyber roles, CISSP or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Advanced roles may require ITIL or PMP for project management responsibilities.

Most on‑site roles, such as shipboard or aircraft maintenance, require physical presence. However, cyber defense, software development for mission systems, and remote UAV mission planning are increasingly offered as telework positions, especially by contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Remote candidates usually need a DoD e‑Clearance and a secure home‑office setup.

Typical progression: Technician → Lead Technician → System Engineer → Project Manager. A technician with 5+ yrs of experience and a PMP certification can transition to a systems‑engineering role, overseeing integration of radar or avionics suites. Senior technicians can move into contractor managerial positions or serve as DoD technical advisors, earning 10–15% higher pay and leadership responsibilities.

Key trends include AI‑driven predictive maintenance, increased use of autonomous UAVs and space‑domain awareness platforms, expansion of 5G secure communications for battlefield networks, and a shift toward electric propulsion in military vehicles. Cybersecurity threats are prompting a surge in demand for defensive‑engineering technicians, while the DoD’s modernization initiatives boost opportunities in advanced avionics and integrated sensor‑fusion systems.