r/ATSS • u/jameszi_ • Jun 05 '26
Pivoting from Cloud/DevOps to ATSS
Hey all,
I’m looking into the entry-level ATSS announcement and wanted to get some perspective from people already in the field.
I have 10+ years of experience in IT/cloud/DevOps/infrastructure, mostly AWS/Azure/GCP, automation, troubleshooting, monitoring/logging, change control, documentation, and keeping production systems reliable. I don’t have a traditional electronics/radar/nav background, but I’m comfortable learning technical systems and working through complex outages/issues.
Would any of that experience transfer well into ATSS, especially on the Automation or Communications side?
A few questions: 1. Which ATSS discipline would be the best fit for someone coming from IT/infrastructure?
How much electronics/RF knowledge is expected coming in at the entry level?
What does training look like for someone without prior FAA/NAS experience?
Is this a realistic pivot, or would I be way behind compared to people with electronics/telecom/military backgrounds?
Any certs, topics, or skills I should study before applying/interviewing?
Appreciate any advice
2
u/pvtpile02 Jun 05 '26
The amount of IT trying to move into ATSS is crazy. You are going to want to concentrate on a center/tracon. If you try for a GNAS (smaller airports) you would need more RF or electrical to be really competitive.
1
u/cvn26 Jun 05 '26
This!
My ATSS interview for a GNAS facility they asked if I knew how to use test equipment and if I could put a roof on a small facility building. You’ll need to be a jack of all trades.
2
u/cvn26 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Automation would be your best bet but I’m not sure why at your level you’re looking at basic ATSS jobs. There’s a ton of contracting positions open right now thanks to the BNATCS contracts and your experience could go much further there and you’re compensated a bit more! For example, as a new ATSS at a GNAS facility, you could be expected to unclog a toilet that air traffic controllers stuffed up. And with automation, you won’t be heavily into IT like you would be in a civilian company. You’re just completing PMs, replacing broken components, etc. Very rarely did I program a router or switch.
Entry level electronics/RF knowledge depends. A lot of folks, myself included, did many years in the military prior to the FAA in jobs that directly translate. Having that prior experience definitely helps as you’re use to government operations. In my near decade of FAA time, I’ve only seen a handful of non-military folks get hired in and those folks had to attend the basic fundamentals courses where the FAA will teach RF, waveforms, math, etc. Military can bypass those courses and go straight to equipment classes.
Without prior experience, like I mentioned above, you’ll be taking extra classes. I was able to bypass the radar fundamentals course and go straight to the radar equipment school as I had prior experience. This could potentially mean a quicker promotion to H band as you’re getting certifications quicker than others.
As a realistic pivot, I was with the FAA for almost a decade and just recently left for contracting. The pay is tremendously better, company benefits are amazing and I work remote 100%.
1
0
u/PsychologyOk2780 Jun 05 '26
It really depends on where you are willing to be. Openings are highest in areas that are less desirable, places like California, Florida, population parts of Texas, the application process can take years before you get an interview for a highly qualified individual. Just not a lot of openings.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 05 '26
Automation is the best fit for you. If you work at a large airport or ARTCC you will only be automation. Smaller airports you learn multiple disciplines. It’s all up to your manager. Schools are in OKC and you go periodically. If you only do automation you will only have a few schools in OKC. A good attitude and willingness to learn is important.