Drone Avionics Technician

Strixdrones; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Strixdrones in Denver, CO is seeking a Drone Avionics Technician to build, integrate, test, troubleshoot, and repair avionics systems. This early production role also shapes how we build by writing work instructions, flagging manufacturing issues, and setting the quality bar for every unit.

You will work on wire harnesses, firmware loads, and rigorous bench testing, while ensuring DFx feedback reaches engineering for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in avionics, electronics assembly, or UAS integration and repair (military, aerospace, or commercial drone).
• Strong soldering and harness-building skills, with IPC certification or the ability to earn it quickly.
• Comfort reading schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembly drawings.
• Solid grasp of DC power systems, serial protocols (UART, CAN, I2C, SPI), and RF basics.
• Experience with flight-control stacks such as PX4, ArduPilot, or proprietary autopilots.
• Methodical troubleshooting habits and disciplined documentation.
• Must be a U.S. person under ITAR, and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, wire, and integrate avionics subsystems, including flight controllers, ESCs, power distribution, GNSS, IMUs, radios and datalinks, sensors, and payload electronics.
• Build and inspect wire harnesses and cable assemblies to drawings and workmanship standards (IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001).
• Perform soldering, crimping, connectorization, and rework on boards and harnesses.
• Load and configure firmware and flight-control parameters, and run bench and acceptance tests on subsystems and complete aircraft.
• Troubleshoot electrical faults down to the component level using multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and logic analyzers.
• Support ground and flight testing with the Flight Operations and Test team, including pre-flight checks, telemetry review, and post-flight inspection.
• Handle, charge, store, and inspect LiPo and Li-ion battery packs safely.
• Document builds, test results, and nonconformances accurately, and help write and refine work instructions and test procedures.
• Maintain configuration control of hardware and firmware versions across units.
• Feed issues and improvement ideas back to engineering.

Skills

Avionics experience

Soldering

Harness building

Schematics reading

DC power systems

Serial protocols

Flight-control stacks

Troubleshooting

ITAR compliance

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Job description

As a Drone Avionics Technician, you'll be hands-on with the electrical and electronic heart of our aircraft. You'll build, integrate, test, troubleshoot, and repair the avionics of the system. This is an early production role, so you'll also help shape how we build: writing work instructions, flagging design-for-manufacturing issues, and setting the quality bar for every unit after you.

As a Drone Avionics Technician, you'll be hands-on with the electrical and electronic heart of our aircraft. You'll build, integrate, test, troubleshoot, and repair the avionics of the system. This is an early production role, so you'll also help shape how we build: writing work instructions, flagging design-for-manufacturing issues, and setting the quality bar for every unit after you.

What You'll Do

• Assemble, wire, and integrate avionics subsystems, including flight controllers, ESCs, power distribution, GNSS, IMUs, radios and datalinks, sensors, and payload electronics.
• Build and inspect wire harnesses and cable assemblies to drawings and workmanship standards (IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001).
• Perform soldering, crimping, connectorization, and rework on boards and harnesses.
• Load and configure firmware and flight-control parameters, and run bench and acceptance tests on subsystems and complete aircraft.
• Troubleshoot electrical faults down to the component level using multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and logic analyzers.
• Support ground and flight testing with the Flight Operations and Test team, including pre-flight checks, telemetry review, and post-flight inspection.
• Handle, charge, store, and inspect LiPo and Li-ion battery packs safely.
• Document builds, test results, and nonconformances accurately, and help write and refine work instructions and test procedures.
• Maintain configuration control of hardware and firmware versions across units.
• Feed issues and improvement ideas back to engineering.

What You Bring

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in avionics, electronics assembly, or UAS integration and repair (military, aerospace, or commercial drone).
• Strong soldering and harness-building skills, with IPC certification or the ability to earn it quickly.
• Comfort reading schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembly drawings.
• Solid grasp of DC power systems, serial protocols (UART, CAN, I2C, SPI), and RF basics.
• Experience with flight-control stacks such as PX4, ArduPilot, or proprietary autopilots.
• Methodical troubleshooting habits and disciplined documentation.
• Must be a U.S. person under ITAR, and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice to Have

• Military avionics or UAS maintenance background (e.g., 15-series Army, USAF avionics, Navy AT/AE).
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Experience with EMI/EMC mitigation, conformal coating, or potting.
• Exposure to counter-UAS, guided munitions, or other defense hardware.
• Experience in a startup or low-rate initial production (LRIP) environment.

Working Conditions

• On-site in a production and lab environment.
• Occasional outdoor test-range work, sometimes in early mornings or poor weather.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and work at a bench for long periods.
• Occasional travel to test ranges or customer sites.