UAS Integration Technician

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 34,853 - 68,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD seeks an experienced UAS Integration Technician to build, modify, and test autonomous aerial systems. You will work with engineers to translate CAD models and wiring diagrams into functioning hardware, performing hands-on assembly and checkouts in a multidisciplinary team.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma, practical fabrication and electronics skills, and a track record of reliable hardware.

Qualifications

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have hands-on experience as a technician in aerospace, aviation, robotics, or related fields.
• Have built, modified, repaired, or maintained mechanical or electrical systems.
• Demonstrate workmanship in soldering, crimping, wiring, and inspection.
• Understand electronics, computer hardware, hand tools, and safe work around prototype hardware.
• Capable of transforming sketches or CAD concepts into working hardware.
• Capable of documenting work using standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify, integrate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain prototype UAS and ground support equipment.
• Collaborate with engineers to turn CAD models and wiring diagrams into functioning hardware.
• Perform hands-on mechanical and electrical integration of UAS platforms and payloads.
• Fabricate and modify airframe components using composites and machines.
• Identify buildability and safety issues early and propose improvements.
• Support testing by preparing vehicles, conducting pre-flight checks, and returning systems to test-ready condition.
• Assist engineers with system checkout and diagnostics using standard tools and software.
• Maintain laboratories and inventories, ensuring calibration and availability.
• Document build configurations, deviations, repairs, and lessons learned.

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

Soldering

Crimping

Wiring

Electrical systems

Mechanical assembly

CAD interpretation

Documentation

Lab safety

Testing and troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical degree or related certification

Tools

CNC machinery

Laser cutters

3D printers

Waterjets

SolidWorks

Job description

Are you interested in working on multidisciplinary teams that rapidly build, modify, integrate, test, repair, and improve uncrewed air systems? Are you interested in applying hands‑on mechanical and electrical skills to develop low‑cost autonomous systems and defense mission capabilities that must perform reliably in realistic test environments? If you answered yes to either of these questions, we are looking for someone like you to join our team in the Intelligent Combat Systems Group at APL.

We are the Intelligent Combat Systems Group, and our mission is to ensure our Nation maintains an operational advantage on the future battlefield through advances in artificial intelligence, autonomy, human‑machine teaming, and novel uncrewed aircraft design and testing.

We believe the future battlefield will be shaped by intelligent autonomous systems capable of operating with machine precision at machine speed. Our teams bring together engineers, technicians, operators, and analysts to rapidly move from concepts and CAD models to hardware, ground testing, flight testing, lessons learned, redesign, and delivery.

Our work has contributed to nationally recognized programs including DARPA Air Combat Evolution (ACE), AFRL Golden Horde, and Air Force Skyborg, demonstrating our impact in advancing autonomous air systems.

We are seeking practical, dependable prototype builders who take pride in producing hardware that performs reliably. Our team is entrepreneurial and multidisciplinary. We value craftsmanship, disciplined testing, candid communication, low‑ego collaboration, and teammates who speak up early when something doesn't fit or creates unnecessary risk. We especially value technicians who have built, modified, repaired, or maintained systems that others relied on in the laboratory, shop, field, or operational environment.

Role Overview

As a UAS Integration Technician, you will:

• Build, modify, integrate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain prototype UAS, payloads, test fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Work alongside engineers to turn sketches, CAD models, wiring diagrams, and design concepts into functioning hardware.
• Perform hands‑on mechanical and electrical integration of UAS platforms, including airframe modification, avionics installation, payload integration, propulsion installation, wiring, soldering, crimping, harness fabrication, labeling, and system checkout.
• Fabricate and modify airframe components using composites, additive manufacturing, hand tools, and machine shop equipment.
• Identify buildability, fit, routing, access, maintainability, durability, and safety issues early, and recommend practical improvements.
• Support laboratory, ground, and flight testing by preparing vehicles and equipment, performing pre‑flight inspections, maintaining ground support equipment, troubleshooting hardware, and returning systems to a test‑ready condition.
• Assist engineers with system checkout and diagnostics using standard test equipment, custom software interfaces, and practical troubleshooting techniques.
• Maintain UAS development laboratories and workspaces by ensuring tools remain calibrated, equipment is maintained, and component inventories are organized and available.
• Document build configurations, as‑built deviations, repair actions, test observations, and lessons learned so teammates can effectively reproduce, operate, and improve the system.
• Communicate effectively with teammates across multiple disciplines and experience levels, raising concerns whenever something appears unsafe, unreliable, or inconsistent with the design intent.
• Follow laboratory and flight‑test safety procedures while helping maintain a safe working environment.
• Occasionally operate a cargo van to transport test equipment, support field activities, or deliver hardware for vendor repair or calibration.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you:

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have relevant hands‑on experience as a technician in aerospace, aviation maintenance, robotics, mechanical systems, custom fabrication, field service, manufacturing, or an equivalent military occupational specialty.
• Have built, modified, repaired, or maintained mechanical or electrical systems that others relied upon.
• Demonstrate strong workmanship in assembling complex electrical and mechanical systems, including soldering, crimping, wiring, routing, fastening, labeling, and inspection.
• Have a practical understanding of electronics, computer hardware, hand tools, shop practices, and safe work around prototype hardware.
• Can work effectively from evolving requirements by asking good questions and helping transform sketches, drawings, or incomplete designs into working hardware.
• Can accurately document work using standard office software.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Are comfortable raising concerns when a design is difficult to build, unsafe, unreliable, difficult to maintain, or likely to fail during testing.
• Are willing to occasionally travel and work extended hours in support of laboratory and field testing.
• Hold an active Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Additional Qualifications

• Hold a technical degree, military technical training, or relevant certifications (e.g., A&P, IPC, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620).
• Have experience supporting UAS, aviation maintenance, robotics, motorsports, military systems, expeditionary operations, prototype development, or other environments where hardware reliability is critical.
• Have supported field testing, logistics, or flight operations involving equipment readiness, shipping, hazardous materials, communications equipment, or rapid troubleshooting.
• Have experience with composite fabrication, layup, repair, and structural modification.
• Hold a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and have experience operating UAS.
• Are familiar with UAS avionics, autopilot hardware, ground control software, and flight‑system checkout.
• Have experience operating machine shop equipment, CNC machinery, laser cutters, waterjets, 3D printers, or other fabrication tools.
• Can interpret mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, and CAD models (e.g., SolidWorks).
• Have experience building or repairing systems where weight, vibration, thermal effects, power, environmental exposure, packaging, and maintainability are important design considerations.
• Are willing and able to travel up to 10% and routinely lift equipment weighing more than 50 pounds.

Compensation & Benefits

Minimum Rate: $25.30 hourly
Maximum Rate: $50.00 hourly

APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].