Electronics/Avionics Tech II

AeroVironment, Inc.; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in California is seeking an Electronics/Avionics Technician II contractor to perform advanced troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair on UAV avionics systems. You will interpret schematics, assemble wire harnesses, and use diagnostic equipment to keep complex avionics running safely and reliably.

The role demands keen attention to detail, the ability to work under pressure, and collaboration with engineering on new assemblies and improvements to existing systems.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1–2 years of working experience in avionics or related field.
• Strong wire harness and connector skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret assembly drawings and schematics.
• Experience using crimping tools and diagnostic equipment.
• IPC 610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and service avionics systems.
• Diagnose problems and troubleshoot equipment.
• Run tests and prepare reports.
• Update and improve existing systems.
• Repair or replace faulty equipment.
• Inspect facilities, equipment, and systems.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
• Plan and schedule repairs.
• Assemble wire harnesses according to drawings and instructions.
• Master soldering, stripping, crimping, heat shrink, and shielding.
• Assemble circular connectors and major subassemblies for UAVs.
• Collaborate with management and engineering on new assemblies.

Skills

Wire soldering

Wire harness assembly

Reading assembly drawings

Crimping

Troubleshooting avionics systems

IPC 610

IPC/WHMA-A-620

Diagnostic equipment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Contact crimping tools

Circular connectors

Wiring diagrams

Job description

Worker Type Contractor Job Description Summary

The Electronics/Avionics Technician II position is critical in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our avionics systems. This position will be responsible for performing advanced troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance on a variety of aircraft systems, including navigation, communication, and flight control systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of electronic systems and will be proficient in utilizing diagnostic equipment and troubleshooting techniques. The successful applicant will have a keen attention to detail, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. This position necessitates a high degree of technical competence and the ability to interpret complex technical manuals and schematics.

Position Responsibilities

• Monitoring and servicing systems
• Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting equipment
• Running tests and completing reports
• Updating and improving existing systems
• Repairing or replacing faulty equipment
• Inspecting buildings, equipment, and systems
• Developing and implementing preventative maintenance procedures
• Planning and scheduling repairs
• Use work orders to determine the type and quantity of wire harness and assemblies to manufacture
• Follow assembly drawings and work instructions to manufacture wire harnesses
• Ability to master the basic skills needed to solder, strip, crimp, perform heat shrink, manage cable shields including foil and braid
• Assemble circular connectors based on standard operating procedures
• Assemble major functional subassemblies for the UAV which incorporate many of the harnesses manufactured in the area
• This position works with management and engineering for direction on new assemblies
• Work with the production assistant on new work orders and the stock room personnel to acquire kits to build work orders
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required
• 1-2 years of working experience required
• Excellent wire soldering, stripping, crimping, and heat shrink skills, cable shields including foil and braid
• Capable of reading and understanding assembly drawings, and written work instructions to produce the highest quality avionics wire harness cables and assemblies
• Adept at wire harness assembly utilizing schematics, and wiring diagrams
• Experience using dedicated contact crimping tools for attaching connector contacts
• Experience assembling circular connectors
• Strong work-ethic and the flexibility to work in a dynamic environment
• Certifications IPC 610, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620
• Previous experience in wire harness manufacturing role for a UAV company

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good analytical, time management and organizational skills
• Basic computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Physical Demands

Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer. May require travel to sites/program and special functions. Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance: Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating. Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and ongoing as required. May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.

Clearance Level No Clearance

AeroVironment considers several factors, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we've been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world's most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don't just build defense technology—we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we're not building history, we're building what's next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there's no better place to do it than AV.