Manufacturing Technician

Draganfly Inc.; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the drone technology sector is seeking a Manufacturing Technician responsible for the assembly, testing, and maintenance of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The ideal candidate will have strong skills in soldering, mechanical assembly, and troubleshooting, working both independently and collaboratively to ensure high-quality production standards. This role offers opportunities for technical growth and collaboration with engineering teams to refine product designs.

Qualifications

• Proficient in soldering fine-pitch electronics and building custom wiring harnesses.
• Strong understanding of mechanical assembly techniques used in drone construction.
• Skilled in the safe and effective use of common hand and power tools.

Responsibilities

• Assemble mechanical and electronic components in a consistent and repeatable manner.
• Maintain, operate, and troubleshoot RPAS platforms and supporting equipment.
• Communicate with external vendors to source raw materials and components.

Skills

Soldering fine-pitch electronics

Mechanical assembly techniques

Use of hand and power tools

Basic software troubleshooting

Serial communication protocols

Detail-oriented

Job description

About the role:

As a Manufacturing Technician at Draganfly, you will be directly responsible for the assembly, testing, and maintenance of both prototype and production-class Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Your primary focus will be the precise integration of electronic subsystems, wire harnesses, PCBAs, and mechanical components in accordance with established build documentation and quality standards.

This role requires proficiency in soldering, crimping, torque specification adherence, and mechanical fastener installation. You will work both independently and as part of a team to ensure repeatable, clean, and efficient system builds.

You will collaborate with engineering to validate prototypes, troubleshoot functional issues, and implement design revisions. Your input will be essential in refining mechanical layouts and improving manufacturability across product iterations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assemble mechanical and electronic components in a consistent, organized, and repeatable manner
• Maintain, operate, and troubleshoot RPAS platforms and supporting equipment
• Communicate with external vendors to source raw materials and components
• Set up and operate equipment to test, evaluate, and modify electronic assemblies
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot software and firmware for embedded systems
• Operate CNC machinery and 3D printers (on-site training provided)
• Fabricate and modify mechanical components using hand and power tools
• Solder and assemble wiring harnesses and printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Support record-keeping for manufacturing, maintenance, and inventory control
• Perform component finishing tasks such as sanding, painting, and surface prep
• Contribute to maintaining a clean, organized, and efficient workshop environment
• Assist engineering team members with various technical tasks as needed
• Provide occasional on-site technical support at field events or demonstrations
• Maintain strict adherence to safety protocols in all workshop activities

Qualifications & Skills

• Proficient in soldering fine-pitch electronics and building custom wiring harnesses
• Strong understanding of mechanical assembly techniques used in drone construction, including the use of threaded fasteners, adhesives, and composite materials
• Skilled in the safe and effective use of common hand and power tools (both bench-top and portable)
• Competent in using computer-aided design (CAD) software for basic mechanical or layout tasks
• Able to perform basic software troubleshooting on embedded devices, including driver installation and communication setup
• Working knowledge of serial communication protocols (e.g., UART, I2C, SPI) and related wiring practices
• Experienced in setting up, configuring, and troubleshooting radio control and data transmission systems
• Detail-oriented with the ability to accurately follow technical build plans, schematics, and documentation

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs
• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods, including during field testing and flight operations

Other Nice-to-Haves

• Certification such as Transport Canada Basic/Advanced Drone Pilot, ROC-A, FAA Part 107, or equivalent
• Experience using RPAS-related software platforms such as ArduPilot, BetaFlight, INAV, or QGroundControl
• Familiarity with the operation and maintenance of 3D printers (FDM/SLA) and desktop CNC milling machines