High School

A high school diploma and on-the-job training may be sufficient for some positions, such as assemblers and fabricators, and welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. A good foundation for most drone manufacturing jobs includes classes in mathematics, science, computer science, English, and communications. Take machine shop classes if you are interested in working with the parts and components of drones; this will give you good exposure to working with machines and hand tools. If your school offers electrical or electronics shop classes, take these as well.

Postsecondary Education

A high school diploma coupled with technical and on-the-job training is required for jobs such as drone assemblers and fabricators and other positions that involve using equipment and machines. Some production workers receive training via apprenticeships. Production managers and other types of managers and supervisors must have a bachelors degree and several years of prior work experience in manufacturing companies. For sales and purchasing positions, and customer service representative jobs, an associates or bachelors degree coupled with one to two years of prior experience is beneficial.

A bachelors degree is usually required for industrial production manager positions and other first-line supervisor and administrative roles. Some production managers have a masters degree in business management or industrial engineering. Quality control managers may have an associates or bachelors degree in quality control management or related fields. Useful college classes include business, accounting, mathematics, economics, science, engineering, computers, English, and communications.

Certification

Colleges and universities, online learning platforms, and professional associations offer certificate programs in avionics, electronics, production management, artificial intelligence and other types of emerging technology, and other fields. These programs typically last six months to a year. Such programs are a good way to build your skills without enrolling in a degree program.

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) offers certificate programs in metal fabrication fundamentals, leadership development, workplace safety, and other fields. Visit https://www.fmamfg.org/training/certificates for more information. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers an uncrewed systems technology certificate program. Visit https://erau.edu/degrees/certificate/uncrewed-systems-technology to learn more about the program.

Other Education or Training

Continuing education seminars, webinars, and other learning opportunities are provided by professional associations (such as the American Welding Society and the FMA), colleges and universities, and online learning platforms. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Certification is voluntary for drone manufacturing workers. Those who receive certification show employers they have achieved a high level of skills and knowledge in their profession and improve their job prospects. These are just a few of the various types of associations that provide certification for manufacturing workers: American Society for Quality, American Welding Society, IPC International, and the Manufacturers Representatives Educational Research Foundation. No licensing is required for drone manufacturing workers.

Hands-on experiences in building things and using tools, plus participation in internships or other experiential education opportunities, are highly recommended for aspiring drone manufacturing workers.

Many of the production-related jobs require knowledge of blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, shop mathematics, and computer-aided and computer-controlled machinery. An understanding of electricity and electronics is also helpful. Attention to detail is essential, as precision is important in producing parts and components to design specifications. Manual dexterity, physical stamina and strength, and spatial-orientation skills are necessary for working on ones feet for long periods of time.

Quality control inspectors must have strong computer and math skills and knowledge of specialized tools and machinery for testing drones and drone components and systems. Drone production managers, buying and purchasing agents, and manufacturing sales representatives must have strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills. Production managers must be able to manage and motivate employees to keep manufacturing facilities operating according to production schedules and within production budgets. They must be able to identify problems and resolve them quickly and effectively to keep production operations on track.