Of the 3 FFLs I know personally, and one I occasionally work for unloading incoming shipments, none of their ‘gunsmiths’ have advanced degrees such as you mentioned, but all are very competent in metalworking, physics, chemistry etc; enough so they can do anything asked of them.
I don’t know if they take night courses at PSU, UMD or local vo-tech schools, but all can easily to do anything required to build/rebuild/modify any weapon which comes across their shop tables. Or they can quickly call-in someone who can hel with such a project.
All (but one) have been in various US Military Ordnance programs, so they’ve received training there, as well as growing-up around firearms. Their ‘title’ of *gunsmith* may be honorary; I’ll have to ask next time I’m to work.
Just guessing you’re 100% correct that major mfgrs do require advanced degrees for their personnel.
Yeah, I was thinking along the lines of design.