Technician Hiring
USAJOBS application open
October 10, 2025 – October 20, 2025
Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS) are a dynamic group of technicians responsible for safe travel, ensuring communications with over 520 Airport Traffic Control Towers, 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), 147 Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON), and more. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technicians work across all the United States and outlying U.S. territories, maintaining and repairing more than 74,000 pieces of radar, communications, navigational aids, airport lighting, backup power, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
ATSS help enable air traffic controllers to see and communicate with aircraft personnel and help pilots navigate safely from takeoff to landing, keeping the National Airspace System (NAS) operating safely and efficiently for travelers.
Interested applicants can search for ATSS career opportunities on usajobs.gov. Search “2101” or “ATSS” to view all ATSS openings.
Airway Transportation Systems Specialist Disciplines & Training
FAA technicians are a highly trained and skilled workforce categorized into one of five disciplines. Entry-level applicants require extensive training from the beginning of their employment as well as throughout the duration of their career and may spend a significant amount of time at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. These technicians receive training on not just one specific system, but on a vast number of systems, services, and equipment, ensuring FAA successfully performs its core mission.
In addition to system-specific training for all equipment that an ATSS maintains, they also receive in-depth safety training. This ensures that at the end of a successful day, our team members can return home safely; just like their support allows the flying public to return home safely.
| Technicians in these five disciplines maintain and repair: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automation | Communications | Environmental | Navigational Aids | Radar |
| Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) | Motorola, ITT, or General Dynamics radios | Lighted Navigational Aids Systems | Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) | Airport/Air Route Surveillance Radar (ASR/ARSR) |
| Direct Access Radar Channel | Radio Communications Link Repeater (RCLR) | Engine Generators (with or w/o Transfer Switches) | Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) | Air Traffic Control Beacon Indicator |
| En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) | Voice Switches | Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems | Tactical Aircraft Control and Navigation (TACAN) | Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) |
| Digital Voice Recorder System (VRS) | Power Conditioning Systems (PCS) | Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) | Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) | |
Am I eligible?
Learn how to build your resume and complete any task on USAJOBS, step by step at the USAJOBS resource center at USAJOBS Help Center - How to page.
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Meet the standards for pre-employment drug testing.
- Meet the standards for background investigation and/or security clearance, if applicable.
- Meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Qualification may be based on work experience, education or a combination of both.
- Provide selective service registration, if male born after 12/31/1959.
Candidates must be able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others.
Visual acuity (including color and near), hearing acuity, and clear and effective speech communication may be required for safety related duties.
The ATSS may be required to lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds; climb stairs/ladders up to 100 feet; to bend or stoop for extended periods; work in diverse environmental conditions (outside/extreme weather); work rotating shifts, weekends and/or holidays; possess a valid driver's license, and possibly travel away from home up to 75% of the time.
Military Skills and Experience
As an ATSS, you'll use many of the same skills you built in the military to keep the National Airspace System (NAS) operating safely and efficiently for travelers. If you've worked in electronics, avionics, radar, comms, IT, or power systems in your military career, you may have the skills and experience needed for the position. Below are some examples of military occupational specialties that could lead to an ATSS role.
| FAA ATSS Discipline | Air Force | Army | Navy | Marine Corps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automation |
3D1X2-Cyber Transport 3D1X3-RF Transmission |
94F-Computer/Detection Systems | IT-Information Systems Technician | 06XX-Communications |
| Communication | 2A0X1-Avionics Test Station | 94E-Radio/Comm Security Repairer | AT-Aviation Electronics Technician | 28XX-Ground Electronics Maintenance |
| Environmental | 3E0X2-Power Production | 12P-Prime Power | EM-Electrician's Mate |
1161-HVAC 1141-Electrician |
| Navigation Aids | 1C8X3-Radar, Airfield & Weather Systems | 94D-ATC Equipment Repairer | ET-Electronics Technician (Radar/Comm) | 59XX-Aviation Electronics |
| Radar |
2E051-Ground Radar Systems Apprentice 1C8X3-Radar, Airfield & Weather Systems |
94M-Radar Repairer | ET-Electronics Technician (Radar/Comm) |
5948-Radar Technician 2887-Ground/Air Defense Radar Technician |
Learn More
Check out The Air Up There – Adventures in Safety podcast episode and Certified Safe YouTube video to hear about the extreme nature of Tech Ops and the great lengths our technicians go to maintain the airspace infrastructure to keep the NAS operating safely and efficiently for travelers.