Field Robotics & UAS Operations Lead

Jobtailor; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NODA in Austin is seeking a hands-on field technician to build, test, and deploy UAS/robotic platforms in both lab and field environments. You will troubleshoot, document, and supervise junior staff during operations, ensuring safety and readiness across dynamic field conditions.

The role blends logistics planning, flight readiness verification, and technical guidance to support multi-domain field exercises, with a focus on accurate documentation and equipment maintenance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical certificate, associate degree, or equivalent military/industry experience preferred.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and RPIC/EP experience preferred.
• 2+ years of hands-on technical experience (assembly, lab, or field environment).
• Strong organizational skills and experience coordinating logistics or operations.
• Comfortable working in both lab and outdoor field environments.
• Ability to lift 60 lbs and work in dynamic field conditions.
• IPC soldering or electronics certification (preferred).
• Experience leading small teams in technical or field environments (preferred).
• Familiarity with lab management or inventory software (preferred).
• Comfort with scripting, dashboards, or log retrieval tools (preferred).
• Familiarity with project management or collaboration tools (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Engage with customers onsite, providing technical guidance and representing NODA professionally.
• Assist in planning logistics for travel, shipping, and equipment readiness.
• Build, wire, and test UAS/robotic platforms, payloads, and support equipment.
• Track, repair, and maintain lab equipment, spare parts, and test assets.
• Lead setup/teardown and technical troubleshooting at multi-domain field exercises.
• Conduct inspections to ensure accuracy, durability, and repeatability of assemblies.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and well-documented lab and field environment.
• Draft and maintain event-specific documentation: assembly procedures, deployment logs, checklists, and after-action reports (AARs).
• Verify platforms are flight-ready before transport and deployment.
• Coordinate with engineering and mission teams to ensure event readiness.
• Document issues and fixes in real time to capture lessons learned.
• Oversee junior field staff during operations and ensure smooth team coordination.

Skills

UAS assembly

Technical troubleshooting

Lab equipment maintenance

Soldering

Electronics certification

Field operations

Inspection procedures

Event documentation

Flight readiness verification

Dynamic field conditions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical certificate / associate degree

Tools

Lab management software

Inventory software

Python

CLI

Spreadsheets

Jira

Confluence

Notion

Job description

NODA in Austin is seeking a hands-on field technician to build, test, and deploy UAS/robotic platforms in both lab and field environments. You will troubleshoot, document, and supervise junior staff during operations, ensuring safety and readiness across dynamic field conditions.

The role blends logistics planning, flight readiness verification, and technical guidance to support multi-domain field exercises, with a focus on accurate documentation and equipment maintenance.