Test Technician Sr. Lead

avav; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

Aerovironment, Inc. is seeking an experienced Test Technician Team Lead Sr. to oversee the manufacturing work cell for sUAS and LMS products. You will lead technicians, organize daily schedules, and collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and QA to ensure timely, quality production.

The role requires 6+ years in manufacturing, strong leadership, and a focus on safety, SOP compliance, and continuous improvement. ITAR/EAR considerations apply, with a comprehensive benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Six+ years in manufacturing or production environment in electronics/electro-mechanical assembly and test
• Leadership of manufacturing technicians and operators within a work cell
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work schedules
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance
• Monitor production metrics and implement improvements
• Ensure safety SOPs and regulatory compliance
• Perform inspections and coordinate maintenance
• Provide SME support on processes and equipment
• Maintain production documentation and lean initiatives
• Foster teamwork and employee engagement
• Able to perform 5 whys problem solving

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of manufacturing technicians and operators within the assigned work cell, providing guidance, training, and supervision to ensure the achievement of production goals and quality targets
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work schedules to optimize productivity and meet customer demand
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance, to ensure seamless coordination and efficient manufacturing processes
• Monitor and analyze production metrics, identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements to maintain a safe and compliant work environment
• Perform regular inspections and audits to identify equipment issues or maintenance needs and coordinate with maintenance personnel to address them promptly
• Act as a subject matter expert in the manufacturing processes, equipment, and product specifications, providing technical support and troubleshooting assistance when required
• Maintain accurate documentation of production activities, including production reports, work instructions, and quality records
• Support the implementation of lean manufacturing principles and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflow and eliminate waste
• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and employee engagement, promoting a positive work environment and motivating the team to achieve operational excellence
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Team leadership

Production planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Safety compliance

SOP adherence

5 Whys

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Aerovironment, Inc. is seeking a skilled and motivated Test Technician Team Lead Sr. to join our (Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) (Loitering Munition Systems (LMS)) manufacturing product lines. As a Test Technician, Sr. Lead, you will be responsible for overseeing the efficient operation of the manufacturing work cell, ensuring the production targets are met, and maintaining the highest level of quality standards. Your leadership skills, technical expertise, and ability to drive continuous improvement will play a crucial role in the success of our manufacturing operations.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of manufacturing technicians and operators within the assigned work cell, providing guidance, training, and supervision to ensure the achievement of production goals and quality targets
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work schedules to optimize productivity and meet customer demand
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance, to ensure seamless coordination and efficient manufacturing processes
• Monitor and analyze production metrics, identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements to maintain a safe and compliant work environment
• Perform regular inspections and audits to identify equipment issues or maintenance needs and coordinate with maintenance personnel to address them promptly
• Act as a subject matter expert in the manufacturing processes, equipment, and product specifications, providing technical support and troubleshooting assistance when required
• Maintain accurate documentation of production activities, including production reports, work instructions, and quality records
• Support the implementation of lean manufacturing principles and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflow and eliminate waste
• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and employee engagement, promoting a positive work environment and motivating the team to achieve operational excellence
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• High School diploma or GED equivalent Minimum of 6+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment in either electronics or electro-mechanical assembly and test or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Lead a team of manufacturing technicians and operators within the assigned work cell, providing guidance, training, and supervision to ensure the achievement of production goals and quality targets
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work schedules to optimize productivity and meet customer demand.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance, to ensure seamless coordination and efficient manufacturing processes
• Monitor and analyze production metrics, identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Perform regular inspections and audits to identify equipment issues or maintenance needs and coordinate with maintenance personnel to address them promptly.
• Act as a subject matter expert in the manufacturing processes, equipment, and product specifications, providing technical support and troubleshooting assistance when required.
• Maintain accurate documentation of production activities, including production reports, work instructions, and quality records. Support the implementation of lean manufacturing principles and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflow and eliminate waste.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and employee engagement, promoting a positive work environment and motivating the team to achieve operational excellence.
• Able to perform problem solving analysis 5 whys

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:

• Able to perform problem solving analysis 5 whys
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work in a factory or 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. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary

$26 - $40

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.

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

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