Engineering Development Technician IV

InvestedintheMission; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 88,828,000 - 137,540,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking an Engineering Development Technician IV to support the development and integration of advanced unmanned aircraft systems for defense and commercial use. The role is hands-on, focusing on assembly, integration, test, and general shop support, with candidates experienced in drones or RC aircraft.

You will lead technical tasks, coordinate with engineers, and help ensure safe, efficient lab operations.

Qualifications

• Experience building, flying, and troubleshooting drones/UAS or RC aircraft preferred.
• Higher education (technical degree/certificate) a plus.
• Experience with 3D additive manufacturing (desktop FDM printers) a plus.
• Experience interpreting engineering instructions and documenting shop processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical and electrical assembly, integration, troubleshooting, repair, and testing of unmanned systems and sub-assemblies.
• Operate and maintain shop equipment and tools (hand tools, power tools, soldering irons, crimp tools, 3D printers, etc.).
• Provide assembly and integration support for prototype hardware, including wiring harnesses and avionics installation.
• Assist with planning and kitting for builds to meet project schedules and milestones.
• Document build processes, rework steps, and best practices to support repeatability.
• Lead technician on assigned engineering projects; coordinate with engineers to define tasks and report status.
• Build and maintain development test fixtures and simple jigs using basic fabrication methods.
• Provide design feedback to improve manufacturability.
• Maintain safe, organized lab/shop areas (5S mindset).
• Support ITAR-related requirements as needed.
• Familiarity with CAD or 3D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360).

Skills

Drone/UAS assembly

Electrical assembly

Troubleshooting

Hands-on hardware

Safety-conscious

Education

Technical degree/certificate

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

3D printers

Soldering

Crimp tools

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Engineering Development Technician IV will support the development and integration of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for defense and commercial applications. This role is hands-on and focused on assembly, integration, test, and general shop support. Candidates have experience building, modifying, and troubleshooting drones, RC aircraft, or similar systems.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical and electrical assembly, integration, troubleshooting, repair, and testing of unmanned systems and sub-assemblies.
• Operate and maintain common shop equipment and tools (hand tools, power tools, soldering irons, crimp tools, small benchtop equipment, 3D printers, etc.).
• Provide assembly and integration support for prototype hardware, including wiring harnesses, avionics installation, payload integration, and ground support equipment.
• Assist with planning and kitting for builds to meet project schedules and milestones with aggressive timelines.
• Document build processes, rework steps, and best practices to support repeatability and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Shows strong initiative, ownership of work, and follow-through.
• Effective problem solving
• Serve as a lead technician on assigned engineering projects; coordinate with engineers to define tasks, report status, and highlight risks.
• Build and maintain development test fixtures, simple tools, and jigs using basic fabrication methods (no precision machining required).
• Provide practical design feedback to engineering to improve assembly, serviceability, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Help ensure lab and shop areas are safe, organized, and configured for efficient work (5S mindset).
• Support explosives safety program activities as required (training provided).
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of engineering development and testing.
• Familiarity with CAD or 3D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360).

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Prior experience building, flying, and troubleshooting drones/UAS or RC aircraft is strongly desired.
• Higher education (technical degree/certificate) and/or relevant industry certifications a plus.
• Experience with 3D additive manufacturing (desktop FDM printers, basic CAD-to-print workflow) heavily desired.
• Experience working with composites (wet layup or prepreg) is a plus.
• Experience interpreting engineering instructions (verbal, sketches, drawings, and written procedures) and creating/updating shop-floor documentation.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, prototype-driven environment where small teams share a broad range of responsibilities.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Occasionally may be required to travel Internationally and within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is:

$31 - $48

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, 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

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a 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.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

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.

EEO and Diversity Statement

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.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required