Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers
Plan and direct the operation and maintenance of catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations.
About the profession
Plan and direct the operation and maintenance of catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include supervision of readiness and safety of arresting gear, launching equipment, barricades, and visual landing aid systems; planning and coordinating the design, development, and testing of launch and recovery systems; preparing specifications for catapult and arresting gear installations; evaluating design proposals; determining handling equipment needed for new aircraft; preparing technical data and instructions for operation of landing aids; and training personnel in carrier takeoff and landing procedures.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
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Jump to Learning Path →Personality Fit
Based on the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, business
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (4 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officer → Associate Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officer → Senior Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officer → Lead Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officer
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
$161K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $60,090 - $85,245/year With equity/bonuses: $66,099 - $102,294 Top markets (SF/NYC): $69,104 - $102,294 Execute core tasks using Hydraulic and…
Skills used in this career
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Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Review priorities and respond to urgent items 10am, Team standup and progress check 11am, Deep work using Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems 1pm, Cross-functional meeting with…
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $42,063 - $76,721 Year 2-3: Junior level $85,245 - $104,880 Year 4-6: Mid level $104,880 - $113,712 Year 7-10: Senior level $113,712 - $142,333 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officer genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems and Hydraulic…
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types