Drone Electronics Technician

Askari Defense; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Askari Defense in Atlanta, GA seeks a hands-on drone electronics technician to build interceptor drones from component level to flight-ready systems. You'll populate PCBs, assemble airframes, integrate propulsion, power, and avionics, and debug prototypes with engineers before ramping to production.

This is a fast-paced, on-site role with strong emphasis on workmanship, discipline, and quality. Serious hobbyist experience with electronics or RC aircraft is preferred; no formal industry

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Soldering and rework demonstrated across through-hole and surface-mount.
• Hands-on build experience with electronics or RC systems.
• Ability to read schematics and follow assembly instructions.
• Strong troubleshooting with bench tools.
• UAS/drones interest and desire to build best-in-class systems.
• On-site at Atlanta facility.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, rework, integrate, test, and troubleshoot interceptor drones from bare electronics to flight-ready systems.
• End-to-end drone assembly from bare PCBs to complete systems.
• Soldering and rework of through-hole and surface-mount components.
• PCB reflow and repair with hot air stations and solder paste.
• Inspect solder joints against IPC standards.
• Build and terminate wire harnesses and connectors.
• Integrate propulsion, power, avionics, sensors, and payloads.
• Bench test flight controllers, ESCs, and power systems.
• Troubleshoot electronics and mechanical faults using meters and scopes.
• Maintain clean, ESD-safe, and FOD-free work area.

Skills

Soldering & Rework

Hands-on Build Experience

Electrical & Electronics

UAS / Drone Enthusiasm

Reading Schematics

Troubleshooting

Attention to detail

On-site work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Soldering irons

3D Printing (FDM)

Wire Harnessing tools

Job description

About the role

This role is designed for a skilled drone electronics technician who can build interceptor drones from the component level through complete, flight-ready systems.

Askari is looking for hands-on electromechanical technicians to join our production and prototyping effort full time at our Atlanta, Georgia facility. You will populate and reflow printed circuit boards, solder and rework electronics, build wire harnesses, and integrate propulsion, power, and avionics into finished airframes.

This is an all-in position, and the stakes are real. The interceptors you build ship to real operators and are expected to perform in some of the most demanding environments on Earth. We are looking for high-agency technicians who relentlessly strive for perfection, because there is no margin for sloppy work. Workmanship and discipline are the standard on every unit that leaves your bench.

This position will likely start on the bench building and debugging prototypes alongside our engineers, then help translate those builds into repeatable, higher-volume production as the program scales within the next few months.

No formal industry experience is required. Serious hobbyist experience building and reworking your own electronics and RC aircraft is strongly preferred, because it proves both the skill and the obsession this work demands.

For your first year, this role is focused entirely on the craft of building. We are a small team growing fast, and the technicians who prove themselves will have every opportunity to grow into leaders.

What you’ll do

You will assemble, rework, integrate, test, and troubleshoot interceptor drones from bare electronics and raw airframes through complete, flight-ready systems.

You will focus on tasks in all of the following areas:

• End-to-End Drone Assembly: Assemble interceptor drones end to end, from bare PCBs and raw airframes to complete, flight-ready systems.


• Soldering & Rework: Hand solder through-hole and surface-mount components using temperature-controlled irons, flux pens, and braided desolder wick.


• PCB Reflow & Repair: Reflow and rework PCBs using hot air rework stations, solder paste, and stencils, and perform component-level removal, replacement, and repair.


• Inspection & Workmanship: Inspect solder joints and assemblies against IPC workmanship standards and rework defects to spec.


• Wire Harnessing & Connectors: Build, crimp, and terminate wire harnesses and connectors, including JST, XT60, XT30, servo, and coaxial RF connectors, with proper strain relief, heat shrink, and continuity verification.


• Build Processes: Apply conformal coating, threadlocker, adhesives, and torque values per build documentation.


• Airframe Integration: Integrate propulsion, power, avionics, sensors, and payloads into airframes.


• Bench Testing & Configuration: Flash, configure, and bench test flight controllers, ESCs, and power systems.


• Troubleshooting: Debug and troubleshoot electronic and mechanical faults using multimeters, bench power supplies, and oscilloscopes.


• Fabrication & Modification: Fabricate and modify parts using 3D printing, hand tools, and basic shop equipment.


• Documentation & Traceability: Follow and help refine assembly travelers, work instructions, and quality records so every unit is consistent and traceable.


• Clean Build Environment: Maintain a clean, organized, ESD-safe, and FOD-free work area.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.


• Soldering & Rework: Demonstrated soldering and rework skill across through-hole and surface-mount work, or the clear aptitude and drive to master it fast.


• Hands-On Build Experience: Proven hands-on track record building, reworking, or repairing electronics, computers, 3D printers, RC cars, RC airplanes, helicopters, boats, airsoft guns, or similar systems. Show us what you have built.


• Technical Documentation: Ability to read and follow schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembly instructions.


• Troubleshooting: Comfort troubleshooting electronic and mechanical assemblies with standard bench tools.


• Workmanship: Sharp attention to detail and pride in clean, reliable, inspection-ready work.


• UAS Interest: A genuine love for UAS and drones and the drive to build the best in the world.


• Operating Tempo: Ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.


• Location: Ability to work on site full time at our Atlanta, Georgia facility.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in any of the following areas is a plus:

• FPV & RC Aircraft: Hands-on experience building and repairing FPV drones, multirotors, or fixed-wing RC aircraft.


• PCB Assembly & Rework: Experience populating and reflowing PCBs, including surface-mount rework and hot air stations.


• IPC Standards: Familiarity with IPC workmanship and soldering standards.


• Wire Harnessing: Experience building and terminating wire harnesses to spec.


• Power & Flight Systems: Experience with power systems, batteries, motors, ESCs, and flight controllers, including firmware configuration.


• 3D Printing & CAD: Experience with 3D printing and basic CAD.


• Personal Build Projects: Personal build projects you are proud of, from RC aircraft to robotics to custom electronics.


• Leadership Growth: Interest in growing into a lead technician or production role as the team scales.

This position may involve access to technology, material, technical data, defense articles, or information subject to U.S. export-control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and applicable contract requirements. Assignment to covered work is contingent upon the company’s ability to verify that the candidate is authorized to receive access to such items or information, including by qualifying as a “U.S. person” as defined in 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, or through any required export-control authorization, notice, approval, or access-control process.