Senior UAS Crew Chief for Field Flight Tests

Zone 5 Tech; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life

401k with company-match

Paid time off

Sick time and holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies in San Luis Obispo, CA seeks an experienced Crew Chief to maintain Unmanned Aircraft Systems for DoD projects, with weekly local flight tests and occasional CONUS/OCONUS travel. Outdoor conditions are common, and flight test capabilities are central to the role.

The position requires an associate degree or A&P license, 3+ years UAV/military aviation experience, and the ability to travel up to 50% while performing maintenance, setup, and integration tasks on UAV platforms.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent hands-on training, or A&P license.
• 3+ years UAV/military or defense flight test experience.
• Knowledge of avionics, flight controls, telemetry, propulsion.
• Familiarity with flight line operations and GSE.
• Able to read wiring diagrams and test docs.
• Able to lift 50 lbs and travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Aircraft servicing: pre/post-flight inspections, fueling, rigging, servicing.
• Packout support: transport test equipment, spares, tools.
• Vehicle maintenance for ground transport during tests.
• Operate and troubleshoot ground support equipment.
• Camera equipment setup and maintenance for test data capture.
• Weight and balance calculations and safe loading.

Skills

UAV operations

Flight line operations

Telemetry systems

Outdoor field testing

Reading schematics

Education

Associate's degree in Aerospace, Avionics, Electrical, or Mechanical Technology

A&P Mechanic’s License

Tools

GSE knowledge

Ground Control Stations (GCS)

Flight test operations

Aircraft subsystems knowledge

Propulsion

Job description

Zone 5 Technologies in San Luis Obispo, CA seeks an experienced Crew Chief to maintain Unmanned Aircraft Systems for DoD projects, with weekly local flight tests and occasional CONUS/OCONUS travel. Outdoor conditions are common, and flight test capabilities are central to the role.

The position requires an associate degree or A&P license, 3+ years UAV/military aviation experience, and the ability to travel up to 50% while performing maintenance, setup, and integration tasks on UAV platforms.