Army 170A/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (2025 Salary Data)
Complete transition roadmap for Army 170A/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer Officers. Includes salary ranges $120K-$250K+, software engineering, cyber tool development, DevSecOps, and tech companies actively hiring military developers.
Bottom Line Up Front
Army 170A/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer Officers—you're software engineers and cyber tool developers with specialized skills commanding premium salaries in the civilian tech sector. Your software development experience, cyber tool engineering expertise, DevSecOps knowledge, secure coding practices, Top Secret/SCI clearance, and proven ability to develop mission-critical systems under operational requirements make you highly valuable to both defense contractors and commercial tech companies. Realistic first-year salaries range from $120,000-$155,000 in software engineering, cyber tool development, or DevSecOps roles, scaling to $160,000-$220,000+ in senior engineering, security architecture, or technical leadership positions. Experienced 170A/17Ds leading engineering teams at Big Tech or developing cutting-edge cyber capabilities for intelligence community can earn $200,000-$350,000+ including equity.
Note: The Army redesignated this MOS—what was formerly 170A Cyber Warfare Technician is now 17D Cyber Capabilities Development Officer. This guide covers both designations as the role and skills are essentially the same.
Your security clearance alone adds $30,000-$50,000 annual salary premium in defense contractor positions. Tech companies, cybersecurity vendors, and intelligence community contractors are aggressively recruiting software engineers with security backgrounds. The global shortage of cybersecurity professionals (4.8 million unfilled positions) combined with the even more acute shortage of security-focused developers creates exceptional opportunities.
Unlike general software engineers, you've developed cyber weapons, exploitation tools, and security capabilities supporting real-world operations. That operational development experience—combined with clearance and understanding of offensive/defensive cyber operations—positions you for elite roles that most developers can't access.
What Does an Army 170A/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer Do?
As a 170A/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer, you designed, developed, and delivered software and hardware solutions enabling cyberspace operations. You were the engineer building the tools that 17A officers planned and 17C operators used—exploitation frameworks, automation tools, command and control infrastructure, data analysis platforms, and custom cyber capabilities.
Your responsibilities included software development supporting offensive and defensive cyber operations, reverse engineering adversary capabilities, developing exploits and payloads, creating automation tools for cyber operators, integrating commercial and government off-the-shelf tools, managing cyber infrastructure (servers, networks, cloud environments), and ensuring security and operational security of developed capabilities.
You worked in agile development environments, often with classified requirements, rapid deployment timelines, and direct operator feedback. You coded in Python, C/C++, Java, Go, PowerShell, and other languages depending on operational needs. You understood both software engineering principles and the operational context—building tools that actually worked in real-world cyber missions.
You held Top Secret/SCI clearance and developed capabilities that will never be publicly acknowledged but directly supported U.S. cyber operations against nation-state adversaries.
Skills You've Developed That Translate to Civilian Careers
Technical Skills
Software Development (Multiple Languages) - You developed production software in Python, C/C++, Java, Go, PowerShell, and others. Civilian equivalent: Full-stack developer, backend engineer, systems programmer
Cyber Tool Development - You built exploitation tools, automation frameworks, and cyber capabilities. Civilian equivalent: Security tool developer, offensive security engineer, exploit developer
DevSecOps & CI/CD - You implemented continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines with security built in. Civilian equivalent: DevSecOps engineer, platform engineer, release engineer
Reverse Engineering & Binary Analysis - You reverse engineered software to understand functionality and identify vulnerabilities. Civilian equivalent: Reverse engineer, malware analyst, security researcher
Cloud Architecture & Development - You deployed cyber capabilities in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, on-premise). Civilian equivalent: Cloud engineer, cloud architect, platform engineer
Infrastructure as Code - You automated infrastructure deployment using Terraform, Ansible, or similar tools. Civilian equivalent: Infrastructure engineer, site reliability engineer (SRE), DevOps engineer
Secure Software Development - You implemented security controls, encryption, and secure coding practices. Civilian equivalent: Application security engineer, secure development architect
API Development & Integration - You developed RESTful APIs and integrated disparate systems. Civilian equivalent: API developer, integration engineer, backend developer
Database Design & Management - You designed databases for operational data storage and analysis. Civilian equivalent: Database developer, data engineer
Linux & Windows System Administration - You managed development and operational infrastructure. Civilian equivalent: Systems engineer, platform engineer
Security Clearance & Classified Development - You developed classified capabilities with strict security requirements. Civilian equivalent: Cleared software engineer commanding $30K-$50K salary premium
Leadership & Soft Skills
Requirements Gathering & Translation - You translated operational requirements into technical solutions
Agile Development - You worked in rapid development cycles with changing requirements
Cross-Functional Collaboration - You coordinated with operators, analysts, and leadership to deliver capabilities
Project Management - You managed development projects from concept to deployment
Technical Communication - You documented code, wrote technical reports, and briefed stakeholders
Top Civilian Career Paths for 170A/17D Officers
1. Software Engineer / Full-Stack Developer
Civilian job titles:
- Software Engineer
- Full-Stack Developer
- Backend Engineer
- Senior Software Engineer
- Principal Engineer
Salary ranges (2024-2025):
- Software Engineer: $110,000-$150,000
- Senior Software Engineer: $140,000-$190,000
- Staff Software Engineer: $170,000-$230,000
- Principal Engineer: $200,000-$280,000
- Big Tech (FAANG): $180,000-$400,000+ total comp (with equity)
What translates directly: Your software development skills translate directly to commercial software engineering. You've built production systems—now you'll build products, platforms, or services.
Companies actively hiring:
- Big Tech (FAANG+): Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Salesforce
- Cybersecurity vendors: CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mandiant, Fortinet, SentinelOne
- Fintech: Stripe, Square, Coinbase, Robinhood, Plaid
- Startups: Thousands of tech startups need engineers
- Enterprise: Oracle, SAP, IBM, Cisco, VMware
Certifications needed:
- GitHub portfolio: More important than certifications—showcase your code
- AWS Certified Developer or Azure Developer: $300-$165, demonstrates cloud development skills
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD): Container/cloud-native development
Reality check: Software engineering interviews are technically demanding. Expect coding challenges (LeetCode-style), system design questions, and behavioral interviews. Your operational development experience is valuable, but you'll need to demonstrate fundamental computer science knowledge (data structures, algorithms, design patterns).
Best for: 170A/17Ds who want to pivot from defense/cyber to commercial tech, prefer building products over tools, and want maximum salary/equity potential
2. DevSecOps Engineer / Security Automation Engineer
Civilian job titles:
- DevSecOps Engineer
- Security Automation Engineer
- Security Platform Engineer
- Application Security Engineer
- Cloud Security Engineer
Salary ranges:
- DevSecOps Engineer: $120,000-$160,000
- Senior DevSecOps Engineer: $145,000-$195,000
- Principal DevSecOps Engineer: $175,000-$240,000
- DevSecOps Manager: $160,000-$220,000
What translates directly: You've been doing DevSecOps—building security into development pipelines, automating security testing, and developing secure systems. This is exactly what every company moving to DevOps/cloud needs.
Companies actively hiring:
- Cloud providers: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure
- Tech companies: Every tech company needs DevSecOps
- Financial services: Banks, fintech securing development pipelines
- Cybersecurity vendors: Building security products
- Defense contractors: Cleared DevSecOps supporting IC/DoD
Certifications needed:
- AWS Certified Security - Specialty or Azure Security Engineer: Cloud security is critical
- Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS): Container security
- GIAC Continuous Monitoring (GMON): DevSecOps-specific SANS cert
Best for: 170A/17Ds who love the intersection of development and security, want to work in modern cloud environments
3. Cyber Tool Developer (Defense/IC Contractors)
Civilian job titles:
- Cyber Tool Developer
- Capability Developer
- Offensive Security Tool Developer
- Exploitation Framework Developer
- Cyber Software Engineer
Salary ranges:
- Cyber Tool Developer: $110,000-$155,000
- Senior Cyber Developer: $135,000-$185,000
- Principal Cyber Capability Developer: $160,000-$220,000
- Technical Lead: $175,000-$240,000
- With TS/SCI: Add $30K-$50K
What translates directly: Everything. You're doing the same work—developing cyber capabilities supporting offensive/defensive operations—just as a contractor instead of military officer.
Companies actively hiring:
- Defense contractors: Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Dynamics, CACI, Peraton
- IC contractors: Supporting NSA, CIA, Cyber Command development programs
- Specialized cyber firms: Two Six Technologies, BlueHalo, Rebellion Defense, Shift5
- Federal agencies: NSA, Cyber Command, CIA (direct hire as civilian)
Certifications needed:
- Active TS/SCI clearance: Non-negotiable
- Relevant technical certifications: OSCP, CEH, or language-specific certs
- Security+ or CISSP: Often required for DoD 8570/8140 compliance
Reality check: Defense contractor cyber development pays less than Big Tech ($140K-$180K vs. $200K-$400K) but offers mission continuity, clearance utilization, and work you're already familiar with. Geographic flexibility limited—most positions in DC/NoVA, San Antonio, Fort Meade, Colorado Springs.
Best for: 170A/17Ds who want to continue cyber mission, work on offensive/defensive capabilities, and prefer defense/IC environment
4. Security Researcher / Exploit Developer
Civilian job titles:
- Security Researcher
- Exploit Developer
- Vulnerability Researcher
- Offensive Security Researcher
- Reverse Engineer
Salary ranges:
- Security Researcher: $120,000-$165,000
- Senior Researcher: $145,000-$200,000
- Principal Researcher: $175,000-$240,000
- Bug bounty (full-time): $150,000-$500,000+ (elite researchers)
What translates directly: Your exploit development, reverse engineering, and vulnerability research skills translate directly to security research—finding vulnerabilities, developing exploits, and publishing responsibly.
Companies actively hiring:
- Big Tech security: Google Project Zero, Microsoft MSRC, Meta Security, Apple Security
- Cybersecurity vendors: CrowdStrike Intelligence, Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks Unit 42
- Bug bounty platforms: HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Synack
- IC contractors: Classified vulnerability research supporting NSA, Cyber Command
Certifications needed:
- GXPN (GIAC Exploit Researcher): Advanced exploitation certification
- OSCP, OSWE, OSEP: Offensive Security certifications
- Published research, CVEs: Your portfolio matters more than certifications
Best for: 170A/17Ds who love deep technical research, prefer research over development, and want to find/develop exploits
5. Cloud Engineer / Cloud Architect
Civilian job titles:
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Architect
- Solutions Architect
- Cloud Platform Engineer
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Salary ranges:
- Cloud Engineer: $115,000-$155,000
- Senior Cloud Engineer: $140,000-$190,000
- Cloud Architect: $160,000-$220,000
- Principal Cloud Architect: $190,000-$260,000
What translates directly: Your experience deploying cyber infrastructure in cloud environments translates to commercial cloud engineering—designing, building, and managing cloud platforms.
Companies actively hiring:
- Cloud providers: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure (hiring heavily)
- Tech companies: All companies migrating to cloud need cloud engineers
- Consulting: Deloitte, Accenture, PwC cloud practices
- Financial services, healthcare, retail: Enterprise cloud migrations
Certifications needed:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect: $300, average salary $149K
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert: $165
- Google Professional Cloud Architect: $200
- Multi-cloud certifications significantly increase value
Best for: 170A/17Ds interested in cloud infrastructure, prefer building platforms over applications
6. Data Engineer / Machine Learning Engineer
Civilian job titles:
- Data Engineer
- ML Engineer
- Data Platform Engineer
- AI/ML Platform Engineer
Salary ranges:
- Data Engineer: $110,000-$155,000
- Senior Data Engineer: $135,000-$185,000
- ML Engineer: $140,000-$200,000
- Senior ML Engineer: $170,000-$240,000
What translates directly: If you developed data analysis platforms or worked with large datasets supporting cyber operations, your skills translate to commercial data engineering.
Best for: 170A/17Ds who worked with big data, analytics platforms, or machine learning in cyber context
7. Technical Program Manager / Engineering Manager
Civilian job titles:
- Technical Program Manager
- Engineering Manager
- Product Manager (Technical)
- Director of Engineering
Salary ranges:
- Technical Program Manager: $130,000-$180,000
- Engineering Manager: $150,000-$210,000
- Senior Engineering Manager: $180,000-$250,000
- Director of Engineering: $200,000-$300,000+
What translates directly: Your experience managing development projects, coordinating teams, and delivering capabilities translates to technical leadership roles.
Best for: 170A/17Ds interested in leadership over hands-on coding, strong communicators
Required Certifications & Training
High Priority
GitHub Portfolio / Open Source Contributions
- Cost: Free
- Value: More important than any certification. Showcases actual coding ability.
- Why it matters: Employers want to see your code. Contribute to open-source projects, publish tools, write technical blogs.
Maintain Your Security Clearance
- Cost: $0 if you keep it active
- Value: $30,000-$50,000 annual premium for cleared development roles
- Why it matters: Defense/IC contractors pay significant premiums for cleared developers
Cloud Certifications (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- AWS Certified Developer / Solutions Architect: $300
- Azure Developer / Solutions Architect: $165
- Google Cloud Professional: $200
- Why it matters: Cloud skills are mandatory for modern software engineering
Medium Priority
CISSP or Security+ (for cleared roles)
- Cost: $749 (CISSP) or $392 (Security+)
- Why it matters: DoD 8570/8140 compliance for many cleared positions
Kubernetes Certifications
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA): $395
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD): $395
- Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS): $395
- Why it matters: Container orchestration is standard in modern development
OSCP (if pivoting to offensive security)
- Cost: $1,499
- Why it matters: If targeting offensive security tool development, OSCP demonstrates exploitation skills
Specialized
For Data Engineering: AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Professional Data Engineer
For ML/AI: TensorFlow certifications, AWS Certified Machine Learning
For DevSecOps: GIAC certifications (GMON, GCSA)
Companies Actively Hiring 170A/17D Veterans
Big Tech (Highest Salaries)
Google, Amazon (AWS), Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Netflix, Salesforce, Adobe, Oracle, VMware, Cisco, IBM, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Twitter/X, Snap, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Spotify, Zoom, Slack, Atlassian, ServiceNow, Workday, DocuSign
Cybersecurity Vendors
CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mandiant (Google Cloud), Fortinet, SentinelOne, Zscaler, Okta, Cloudflare, Splunk, Tenable, Qualys, Rapid7, Check Point, Sophos, Trend Micro, McAfee, Symantec, Proofpoint, CyberArk, Varonis
Defense Contractors (Cleared Positions)
Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, L3Harris, BAE Systems, CACI, Peraton, ManTech, Jacobs, BlueHalo, Two Six Technologies, Rebellion Defense, Shift5, Parsons
Fintech & Finance
Stripe, Square, Coinbase, Robinhood, Plaid, Chime, Affirm, SoFi, PayPal, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Capital One, Fidelity
Cloud & Infrastructure
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, DigitalOcean, Linode, Cloudflare, Datadog, HashiCorp, Terraform, MongoDB, Redis Labs
Startups & High-Growth
Hundreds of venture-backed startups hiring engineers—check AngelList, YCombinator companies
Federal Agencies (Direct Hire)
NSA, U.S. Cyber Command, CIA, CISA, DISA, Space Force, DARPA
Salary Expectations by Experience Level
Entry-Level (0-3 years post-military)
- Software Engineer: $110,000-$145,000
- DevSecOps Engineer: $105,000-$140,000
- Cloud Engineer: $100,000-$135,000
- Defense Contractor: $95,000-$130,000
- Big Tech: $150,000-$220,000 total comp (equity)
- With clearance (defense): Add $25K-$40K
Mid-Level (3-7 years post-military)
- Senior Software Engineer: $140,000-$190,000
- Senior DevSecOps Engineer: $145,000-$195,000
- Senior Cloud Engineer: $140,000-$190,000
- Defense Contractor (Senior): $130,000-$175,000
- Big Tech: $200,000-$350,000 total comp
- With clearance: Add $30K-$45K
Senior-Level (7-15 years post-military)
- Staff/Principal Engineer: $180,000-$250,000
- Engineering Manager: $160,000-$230,000
- Cloud Architect: $170,000-$240,000
- Defense Contractor (Principal): $160,000-$220,000
- Big Tech: $300,000-$550,000+ total comp
- With clearance: Add $40K-$55K
Geographic Variations
Highest paying metros:
- San Francisco Bay Area: $200K-$450K (30-40% above national)
- Seattle: $170K-$380K
- New York City: $165K-$360K
- Boston: $150K-$320K
- Los Angeles: $145K-$310K
- Austin: $135K-$280K
- Denver: $130K-$260K
- Washington DC/NoVA: $130K-$250K (federal: GS-13 to GS-15)
- Chicago: $125K-$240K
- Atlanta: $120K-$230K
Remote positions: 60-80% of software engineering roles now offer remote (expect 10-20% salary adjustment vs. high-cost metros)
Resume Translation
| Military Experience | Civilian Translation |
|---|---|
| 170A/17D Cyber Capabilities Developer Officer | Software Engineer specializing in cybersecurity tools and platform development (6+ years) |
| Cyber tool development | Developed offensive/defensive security tools and automation frameworks |
| Exploitation framework development | Built custom exploitation tools and payloads for security testing |
| DevSecOps pipeline implementation | Implemented CI/CD pipelines with integrated security testing and automation |
| Cloud infrastructure deployment | Architected and deployed cloud-based platforms supporting operational systems |
| Reverse engineering | Analyzed software binaries to identify vulnerabilities and understand functionality |
| API development | Designed and developed RESTful APIs enabling system integration |
| Secure coding practices | Implemented security controls, encryption, and secure development lifecycle |
| Agile development | Worked in Scrum/Kanban teams delivering software in 2-week sprints |
| Top Secret/SCI clearance | Active TS/SCI clearance (specify investigation date) |
Use quantifiable results:
- "Developed 15+ cyber capabilities deployed in operational environments"
- "Built automation framework reducing manual tasks by 70%, saving 500+ hours annually"
- "Led development team of 8 engineers delivering 3 major releases annually"
- "Implemented CI/CD pipeline reducing deployment time from weeks to hours"
- "Architected cloud infrastructure supporting 50+ operational users"
Transition Timeline
6-12 Months Before Separation
Month 1-2:
- Build GitHub portfolio showcasing your best code (sanitize classified work)
- Research: Big Tech vs. cybersecurity vendors vs. defense contractors vs. startups
- Update LinkedIn profile emphasizing software development skills
- Connect with 30+ former 170A/17Ds on LinkedIn
Month 3-4:
- Complete cloud certification (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Start LeetCode practice (software engineering interviews require this)
- Apply for SkillBridge at tech companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, cybersecurity vendors)
- Update resume translating military to civilian
Month 5-6:
- Practice coding interviews (LeetCode, HackerRank, AlgoExpert)
- Study system design (for senior positions)
- Apply to 30+ companies across tech, cybersecurity, defense
- Attend tech conferences or local meetups
3-6 Months Before Separation
- Apply to 50+ positions
- Network with tech recruiters specializing in veteran hiring
- Accept SkillBridge if offered (often converts to full-time)
- Prepare behavioral interview stories (STAR method)
- Research compensation (use levels.fyi for tech companies)
Final 3 Months
- Accept offer aligning with career goals
- Negotiate total compensation (salary + equity + sign-on bonus)
- For Big Tech: Understand equity/RSUs (can be 30-50% of total comp)
- Ensure cleared positions maintain your clearance
- Join professional networks: ACM, IEEE, tech Slack communities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Not preparing for technical interviews Big Tech interviews are rigorous: coding challenges, system design, behavioral. You need to study algorithms, practice LeetCode, and prepare. Your operational experience is valuable but won't carry you through Google/Meta interviews alone.
Mistake #2: Undervaluing your skills You've developed classified cyber capabilities. That's harder than building most commercial software. Don't undersell yourself.
Mistake #3: Only targeting defense contractors Defense pays $120K-$180K. Big Tech pays $200K-$400K+ total comp. At least apply to commercial companies.
Mistake #4: No GitHub portfolio Hiring managers want to see your code. Create public portfolio with sanitized versions of tools, scripts, or personal projects.
Mistake #5: Ignoring equity compensation Big Tech offers significant equity. A $180K salary + $120K RSUs = $300K total comp. Evaluate total compensation, not just salary.
Mistake #6: Poor resume translation Don't write "developed cyber capabilities supporting OCO." Write "developed offensive security tools and exploitation frameworks."
Success Stories
Chris, 32, former 170A (O-3) → Software Engineer at Google
Chris served 6 years, separated as Captain with CS degree. Spent 3 months grinding LeetCode. Google offered $190K base + $150K equity + $50K sign-on = $390K total year 1. "The interviews were tough—5 rounds, heavy algorithms. But once I passed, the compensation was incredible compared to defense contracting."
Melissa, 30, former 17D (O-2) → Senior DevSecOps Engineer at AWS
Melissa did 5 years, got out as 1LT. Used SkillBridge at Amazon. Converted to full-time DevSecOps Engineer ($145K + equity). Now Senior DevSecOps Engineer ($185K + equity). "My cyber infrastructure experience translated perfectly to AWS. I understood security in ways most developers don't."
David, 35, former 170A (O-4) → Principal Cyber Developer at Booz Allen Hamilton
David served 10 years, separated as Major. Wanted to continue cyber mission. Booz Allen offered $165K + clearance premium. Now Principal Developer ($195K). "I chose mission over maximum money. Defense contracting pays less than Big Tech, but I'm building capabilities that actually matter."
Geographic Considerations
Top cities for software engineering:
- San Francisco Bay Area - Highest salaries, most opportunities, brutal cost of living
- Seattle - Amazon, Microsoft, strong tech scene, no state income tax
- Austin - Growing tech hub, lower cost of living, excellent quality of life
- New York City - Fintech, startups, high salaries and costs
- Boston - Cybersecurity, enterprise tech, excellent for defense/IC
- Denver - Growing tech scene, great quality of life
- Los Angeles - Aerospace, entertainment tech, cybersecurity
- Washington DC/NoVA - Defense contractors, cleared positions, federal
- San Diego - Defense tech, biotech, great weather
- Atlanta - Growing tech hub, low cost of living
Remote work: Software engineering has highest remote work availability (60-80% of jobs). Geographic flexibility is huge advantage.
Resources
Learning Platforms
- LeetCode - Algorithm practice (essential for Big Tech interviews)
- HackerRank, CodeSignal - Coding challenges
- System Design Primer - System design interview prep
- A Cloud Guru, Linux Academy - Cloud certifications
- Coursera, Udacity - CS fundamentals, specializations
Communities
- GitHub - Showcase code, contribute to open source
- Stack Overflow - Developer Q&A
- Reddit - r/cscareerquestions, r/ExperiencedDevs
- Tech Twitter/X - Follow engineers, recruiters
- Local meetups - Python, JavaScript, DevOps, cloud user groups
Job Resources
- LinkedIn - Networking and job search
- levels.fyi - Tech compensation data (very accurate)
- Blind - Anonymous tech employee discussions
- AngelList - Startup jobs
- BuiltIn - Tech job boards by city
Next Steps: Action Plan
This week:
- Create/update GitHub profile with code samples
- Document clearance details
- Decide: Big Tech vs. cybersecurity vs. defense vs. startup
- Connect with 10 former 170A/17Ds on LinkedIn
This month:
- Complete cloud certification (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Start LeetCode practice (aim for 2-3 problems daily)
- Update resume translating military to civilian
- Research top 20 target companies
- Join tech Slack communities, local meetups
Next 3 months:
- Apply to 50+ positions across commercial and defense
- Apply to SkillBridge programs at Google, Amazon, Microsoft, CrowdStrike
- Practice coding interviews (mock interviews with peers)
- Study system design (for mid/senior roles)
- Network aggressively—veteran tech groups, company events
Remember:
- Big Tech pays 2-3x defense contractors ($250K-$400K vs. $120K-$180K)
- Your clearance is worth $30K-$50K in defense roles
- Technical interviews require preparation—start LeetCode now
- GitHub portfolio matters more than certifications
- Equity compensation is significant—understand RSUs
You've developed classified cyber capabilities under operational pressure. Commercial software engineering is your next mission. Execute.
Ready to map your transition? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to track certifications, build your portfolio, and map your path from 170A/17D to civilian software engineering success.