Unmanned Systems Operator Overview

Required Education and Training To Become an Unmanned Systems Operator

Best Schools to become a Unmanned Systems Operator in U.S. 2024

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

In-State Tuition:$1,984
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,933
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:45%
Total Enrollment:43,370

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

In-State Tuition:$9,718
Out-of-State Tuition:$28,520
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:83%
Total Enrollment:51,528

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS

In-State Tuition:$4,140
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,580
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:51%
Total Enrollment:12,949

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

In-State Tuition:$10,258
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,370
Admission Rate:17%
Graduation Rate:93%
Total Enrollment:45,296

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, CA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:2,670
Unmanned Systems Operator Job Description:
  • Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment.
  • May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal.
  • May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become an Unmanned Systems Operator

Job Duties for Unmanned Systems Operators

  • Install or program computer hardware or machine or instrumentation software in microprocessor-based systems.

  • Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.

  • Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.

Technologies and Skills Used by Unmanned Systems Operators

Analytical or scientific software

  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for an Unmanned Systems Operator

Additional Resources To Help You Become an Unmanned Systems Operator

FAQs About Becoming an Unmanned Systems Operator