Drone Technician: Build, Fly, Test

Unmanned Safety Institute, Inc.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Windlift in Durham, NC is seeking a hands-on technician to build, repair, and fly test aircraft. You will work on tethered drone systems, fabricate parts, and assist with testing new ideas on the bench and in flight.

A passion for fixing aircraft and tinkering with tools will help you thrive. Responsibilities include building and maintaining test aircraft, performing test flights, and contributing to planning, checklists, and data collection.

Qualifications

• Experience building or repairing RC aircraft from hobby, school, military, or professional settings.
• Comfortable flying multirotors, including manual flight.
• Handy with tools and enjoy making things.
• Curious about 3D printing and test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify and repair multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft.
• Fly test flights, including some manual flying.
• Make the aircraft complete with hand tools, shop tools, and 3D printers.
• Help set up instruments and collect test data.
• Pitch in on test planning, checklists and debriefs.

Skills

RC aircraft building/repair

Multirotor flight

Hands-on tools

3D printing/test equipment

Tools

Hand tools

Shop tools

3D printers

Job description

Windlift - Durham, NC - $25-$40/hr

Most drone jobs ask you to fly someone else's aircraft. This one asks you to build them, fix them, and fly them.

Windlift is a small aerospace team developing tethered drone systems. We're looking for a hands-on technician who enjoys both the workbench and the flying. You'll help build and maintain our test aircraft, fabricate parts, and be part of the crew when new ideas get tested for the first time.

If you've ever rebuilt a quad after a crash just so you could fly it again the next morning, you'll probably fit right in.

What you’ll do

• Build, modify and repair multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft
• Fly test flights, including some manual flying
• Make the aircraft complete with hand tools, shop tools, and 3D printers
• Help set up instruments and collect test data
• Pitch in on test planning, checklists and debriefs

What we’re looking for

• Experience building or repairing RC aircraft: hobby, school, military or professional all count
• Comfortable flying multirotors, including manual flight
• Handy with tools and enjoy making things
• Curious about 3D printing and test equipment

Bonus points (not required)

• FAA Part 107 certificate, or willingness to get one
• Soldering and wiring
• ArduPilot / Mission Planner
• Any testing, troubleshooting or data analysis experience
• Aerial surveillance or ISR operations

Details

• $25-$40/hr depending on experience; no benefits
• Work split between our Triangle-area shop and the Kinston test site (daytime flight ops)
• Starting right away

Pay: $25.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person