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Bradley Victor
Bradley Victor
01:12

Bradley Victor

Lockheed Martin

Greenville, SC USA

"Whatever you want to do in life, be passionate about it."

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Bradley's work combines: Engineering, Technology, and Building Things

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Day In The Life

Structural Technician

I work on the F-16 aircraft production line.

01:06

Day In The Life Of An Aircraft Structural Technician

My Day to Day

I start the day with a team meeting where I'm given an assignment for my focus for the day. I receive a work packet and drawings for that day's project. Then I'll start my work, which can be drilling holes, inserting fasteners, or locating the bulkheads, skins, and frames.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

You can get to my role now with a two-year degree. The main credential you need for my role now is an Airframe and Powerplant license, which you can get through school or you can test for after at least 18 months of hands-on experience. To move up and get to where I want to be, a four-year degree helps. I recommend looking at the level you want to get to and then determine the level of degree you need. If you want to be at the technician level, a two-year degree may be better and less expensive.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Education

  • Vocational

    Aircraft Maintenance Technology

    Greenville Technical College

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    While I’ve been fascinated by planes from a young age, my primary goal was to become a baseball coach.

  • 2.

    I thought the best way to become a baseball coach was to start as a schoolteacher, so that’s what I pursued in college.

  • 3.

    After graduating, I worked as a middle school math and science teacher for a year and a half.

  • 4.

    I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, but it was late in the hiring process for a teaching position so I got a job working for the airlines—the job reignited my passion for planes.

  • 5.

    When it came time to apply for the teaching position I had been waiting on, I decided to stick with my airline job instead.

  • 6.

    I went back to school at Greenville Technical College for the aircraft maintenance program and then got an apprenticeship at Lockheed Martin.

  • 7.

    I’m currently working on the F-16 production line for Lockheed Martin.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    Success is based on monetary achievement.

  • How I responded:

    Much of the world defines success by the money you make. I don't agree with that. Success to me is being able to achieve the work-life balance I strive for and providing a foundation for my family.