UAV Integration Technician

Swift Engineering, Inc; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance - 90% covered

Vision Insurance - 100% covered

Dental Insurance - 100% covered

401k with company match

16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave

Family Planning & Parenting Support

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in San Clemente seeks a skilled UAV Integration Technician to support the assembly and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems. The role involves mechanical and electrical integration, routine maintenance, and field test operations. Ideal candidates have 2–6+ years in UAV or aerospace environments and possess strong troubleshooting skills and technical knowledge. Competitive benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, and generous leave policies.

Qualifications

• 2–6+ years of hands-on experience in UAV, aerospace, robotics, or similar hardware environments.
• Strong experience with mechanical assembly and electrical integration.
• Willingness to travel and support field operations and flight testing.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical and electrical integration of UAV platforms.
• Conduct routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs on UAV systems.
• Support ground and flight test operations at test sites.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Electrical integration

Technical drawing interpretation

Complex system troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands‑on UAV Integration Technician to support the assembly, integration, maintenance, and flight readiness of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within a fast‑paced R&D environment. This role is critical to ensuring our aircraft are properly built, integrated, and operational for ongoing development and flight test activities. The ideal candidate has strong practical experience working with UAV systems, is detail‑oriented, and is comfortable operating both in a lab and in field test environments.

UAV Assembly & Integration

• Perform mechanical and electrical integration of UAV platforms, including airframe, propulsion systems, avionics, and payloads
• Follow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and integration procedures to support build activities
• Assist engineering teams with system installation, routing, and configuration

Maintenance & Aircraft Readiness

• Conduct routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs on UAV systems
• Ensure aircraft are flight‑ready in accordance with internal processes and safety standards
• Track and document maintenance activities, discrepancies, and corrective actions

Flight Test & Field Operations Support

• Support ground and flight test operations at test sites (e.g., Rabbit Lake, Spaceport, etc.)
• Perform pre‑flight and post‑flight inspections and system checks
• Assist with aircraft turnaround, troubleshooting, and launch/recovery activities
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and integration issues
• Support rapid troubleshooting in both lab and field environments
• Work closely with engineers to implement fixes and improvements

Inventory & Hardware Management

• Assist with tracking and organizing components, tools, and spare parts
• Support procurement and logistics for integration and test activities
• Maintain clean, organized workspaces and integration areas

Documentation & Process Support

• Follow and contribute to integration checklists, procedures, and best practices
• Support configuration tracking and documentation of system changes
• Provide feedback to improve integration and maintenance workflows

Required Qualifications

• 2–6+ years of hands‑on experience in UAV, aerospace, robotics, or similar hardware environments
• Strong experience with mechanical assembly and electrical integration
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics
• Experience troubleshooting complex systems (mechanical and electrical)
• Willingness to travel and support field operations and flight testing

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Direct experience working with UAV platforms, autopilots, or avionics systems
• Familiarity with flight test operations and safety procedures
• Experience with composite airframes and lightweight structures
• Experience in R&D, startup, or defense environments

Key Traits for Success

• Highly hands‑on and execution‑focused
• Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship
• Able to work independently and take ownership of tasks
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, evolving environments
• Reliable and composed during field operations

What We Offer

• Direct impact on UAV design and performance
• Close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge unmanned aircraft systems
• Medical Insurance - 90% covered for Employees
• Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
• Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
• Life Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• 401k with company match
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.