UAS Flight Test Technician

Seneca; Sausalito (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Equity Compensation

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

A technology-driven company in California seeks a UAS Flight Test Technician to support its flight test program. You will ensure reliable aircraft readiness, maintain ground equipment, and capture accurate test data. The ideal candidate has strong mechanical skills and a safety-first mindset, with physical capability to work in outdoor conditions. This role offers competitive salary and benefits including equity compensation and unlimited PTO.

Qualifications

• Confident with power tools, hand tools, fasteners, and mechanical inspection.
• Experience in hands-on environments like fabrication and maintenance.
• Safety-first mindset with rigor around checklists and logs.
• Able to lift 50 lbs and work outdoors in variable conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, work outdoors, and travel to test sites.

Responsibilities

• Run pre/post-flight checks and assemble vehicles to required configurations.
• Maintain batteries and ground equipment and support basic repairs.
• Ensure safe test operations, maintain observation and call aborts.
• Capture and report accurate test data, upload footage and logs daily.
• Conduct controlled fire-ignition tests and follow safety protocols.
• Keep the test site clean, organized, and hazard-free.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Experience in technician work

Safety-first mindset

Technical literacy

Physical capability

Unrestricted driver’s license

Tools

Two-way radios

Cameras

Web-based software

Job description

The Job

As a UAS Flight Test Technician, you’ll support Seneca’s flight test program by preparing aircraft, managing ground equipment, running checklists, and keeping test sites safe, functional, and ready for operations. Your mission is to ensure every flight test is executed smoothly and that the team captures reliable, high-quality data.

This is a ground operations role working closely with test pilots. You’ll apply strong mechanical intuition, field judgment, and disciplined procedures to keep hardware, batteries, tools, and test environments in top working condition. You’ll have full stop authority during tests and clear, structured support from experienced engineers.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver reliable aircraft readiness: Run pre/post-flight checks, assemble vehicles to required test configurations, spot mechanical/electrical issues early, and perform repairs or retrofits.

• Maintain batteries and ground equipment: Track health and usage, charge and organize equipment, and support basic repairs.

• Ensure safe, compliant test operations: during flights, maintain observation, monitor weather, enforce limits, and call aborts when needed.

• Capture and report accurate test data: Operate cameras/instrumentation, upload footage and logs daily, and post-flight test reporting.

• Perform routine fire-safety operations: Conduct controlled fire-ignition tests, operate fire extinguishers, and follow safety protocols. On-the-job training will be provided for this.

• Keep the test site functional and hazard-free: Maintain cleanliness and organization, manage consumables, and surface facility needs promptly. Manage test site vendor relationships as needed.
  

What You Bring

• Strong mechanical aptitude: confident with power tools, hand tools, fasteners, and mechanical inspection. Understand how physical systems fail and how to prevent it.

• Experience in hands-on environments such as technician work, fabrication, field operations, maintenance and repair.

• Safety-first mindset with rigor around checklists, logs, and procedures.

• Technical literacy: Two-way radios, cameras, web-based software.

• Physically able to lift 50 lbs, work outdoors in variable conditions, and travel to regional test sites (incl. early mornings/weekends).

• Unrestricted driver’s license
  

Nice to have

• Electrical basics: continuity checks, connectors, crimping, soldering

• First-aid certifications

• Fire-safety training
  

Beyond technical skills, we value

• Ownership mentality — identify issues, follows through, closes the loop

• Balance of velocity and quality — move fast, but with rigor and attention to detail

• Efficiency & follow-through — keeps operations unblocked and organized

• Iterative problem solving — breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine

• Kindness and humility — thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teams that value open communication

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary – Reflective of your skills and experience

• Equity Compensation – Be a part-owner in the company's future

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Including medical, dental, and vision plans

• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses

• Unlimited PTO – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays

About Us

Seneca is eliminating the $1 trillion threat of wildfire across 500 million acres with AI-powered autonomous drone systems. Imagine a world where firefighters can respond to a blaze in under 6 minutes using autonomous suppression technology. That's the world Seneca is building. We’re combining the deep expertise of seasoned fire professionals with the innovation of billion-dollar technology builders to create advanced systems that save lives, property, and natural resources.

This is more than a job—it's a mission to transform safety across 500 million acres. Whatever your background, if you’re a builder, an innovator, or a problem-solver, you belong here.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.