UAV Integration Technician

Actalent; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 68,770,000 - 114,616,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

PTO / Vacation

Time Off / Leave

Job summary

Actalent in Rockville, MD seeks an Integration Technician for UAVs to assemble aircraft from subcomponents, wire and integrate avionics, and deliver flight-ready platforms for testing and operational use. The role requires hands-on mechanical and electrical assembly, proficiency with engineering drawings, and experience with UAV and aerospace systems.

The position is contract-to-hire with on-site work at Actalent’s Rockville facility.

Qualifications

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and integration instructions.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, structural integration, electrical systems, wiring, and basic avionics or embedded systems.
• Experience with DoD or Aerospace, UAV, and avionics.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, and system-level integration.
• Follow safety procedures, quality standards, and tool-control practices.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments and iterative build, test, and refinement cycles.

Responsibilities

• Assemble UAS airframes from subcomponents through full system integration.
• Read and follow engineering drawings, schematics, work instructions, and 3D models.
• Execute build instructions, engineering drawings, and configuration changes.
• Conduct in-process quality checks and report deviations to the Team Lead immediately.
• Install and integrate avionics systems, autopilots, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
• Set up communications systems, including radios, antennas, and GCS interfaces.
• Install and manage power systems, such as battery stacks, fuel systems, and distribution networks.
• Perform aircraft retrofits across existing fleet configurations.
• Implement engineering change orders (ECOs) and configuration updates.
• Modify wiring harnesses, mounting structures, and system layouts as required.
• Fabricate, route, and troubleshoot wiring harnesses.
• Support integration of power distribution and battery systems.
• Support ground testing, system checkout, and pre-flight prep. Assist with troubleshooting during flight test operations. Deploy to test sites as required to support field operations.
• Diagnose integration issues across mechanical, electrical, and software interfaces.
• Work directly with engineering to resolve system-level issues.
• Perform rapid fixes and modifications in lab and field environments.
• Deliver fully integrated aircraft on schedule to meet test execution and customer delivery requirements.
• Maintain configuration control and build documentation.
• Support scaling from prototype to low-rate production.
• Assemble, integrate, troubleshoot, and validate aircraft and aerospace systems to deliver flight-ready platforms prepared for ground testing, flight testing, customer acceptance, or operational deployment.

Skills

Engineering drawings

Wiring

Avionics

UAV experience

Aerospace experience

Education

Associate degree or Technical Certification

Job description

Job Description

The UAV Integration Technician is responsible for constructing unmanned aircraft from parts, kits, and subassemblies through final integration, system checkout, and flight-readiness preparation. This hands‑on role requires the technician to perform mechanical assembly, wiring, avionics installation, propulsion and power system integration, configuration updates, documentation, troubleshooting, and pre‑flight support to deliver complete aircraft ready for test or operational use.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and integration instructions.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical assembly, structural integration, electrical systems, wiring, and basic avionics or embedded systems.
• Experience with DoD or Aerospace, UAV, and avionics.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, and system‑level integration.
• Ability to follow safety procedures, quality standards, and tool‑control practices.
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, evolving environments and iterative build, test, and refinement cycles.

Job Title: Integration Technician - UAV

Job Description

The UAV Integration Technician is responsible for constructing unmanned aircraft from parts, kits, and subassemblies through final integration, system checkout, and flight‑readiness preparation. This hands‑on role requires the technician to perform mechanical assembly, wiring, avionics installation, propulsion and power system integration, configuration updates, documentation, troubleshooting, and pre‑flight support to deliver complete aircraft ready for test or operational use.

Essential Skills

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and integration instructions.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical assembly, structural integration, electrical systems, wiring, and basic avionics or embedded systems.
• Experience with DoD or Aerospace, UAV, and avionics.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, and system‑level integration.
• Ability to follow safety procedures, quality standards, and tool‑control practices.
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, evolving environments and iterative build, test, and refinement cycles.

Responsibilities

• Assemble UAS airframes from subcomponents through full system integration.
• Read and follow engineering drawings, schematics, work instructions, and 3D models.
• Execute build instructions, engineering drawings, and configuration changes.
• Conduct in-process quality checks and report deviations to the Team Lead immediately.
• Install and integrate avionics systems, autopilots, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
• Set up communications systems, including radios, antennas, and GCS interfaces.
• Install and manage power systems, such as battery stacks, fuel systems, and distribution networks.
• Perform aircraft retrofits across existing fleet configurations.
• Implement engineering change orders (ECOs) and configuration updates.
• Modify wiring harnesses, mounting structures, and system layouts as required.
• Fabricate, route, and troubleshoot wiring harnesses.
• Support integration of power distribution and battery systems.
• Support ground testing, system checkout, and pre-flight prep. Assist with troubleshooting during flight test operations. Deploy to test sites as required to support field operations.
• Diagnose integration issues across mechanical, electrical, and software interfaces.
• Work directly with engineering to resolve system‑level issues.
• Perform rapid fixes and modifications in lab and field environments.
• Deliver fully integrated aircraft on schedule to meet test execution and customer delivery requirements.
• Maintain configuration control and build documentation.
• Support scaling from prototype to low‑rate production.
• Assemble, integrate, troubleshoot, and validate aircraft and aerospace systems to deliver flight‑ready platforms prepared for ground testing, flight testing, customer acceptance, or operational deployment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree or Technical Certification in A&P, Electronics, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related field is preferred.
• 3-8+ years of hands‑on experience in Aerospace, UAS, robotics, automotive, or similar technical field.
• Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship.
• Due to federal contract requirements applicable to this position, candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Work Environment

The position is based at a new facility in Rockville, MD, with a 9/80 work schedule.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.