Job Details
Summary of Position:
The Senior Engineering Technician is a vital asset to the advancement and maintenance of UAV product prototyping and manufacturing at Zepher Flight Labs. This role supports the design, development, testing, evaluation, and documentation of intricate mechanical components, composite fabrication, and UAV payloads and other subsystems. The technician ensures product manufacturability, facilitates the transition from prototype to production, and refines associated processes, techniques, and documentation. As a senior technician, this individual mentors other technicians and acts as a technical leader throughout the UAV product lifecycle.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Chief Engineer, the Senior Engineering Technician shall:
- Lead Projects: Oversee complex UAV fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, and prototyping projects to comply with technical requirements and industry standards.
- System Fabrication: Analyze and execute complex UAV system fabrication requirements, including prototyping, utilizing expertise in composites, 3D printed and mechanical hardware, and demonstrating superior problem-solving skills.
- Quality Reviews: Conduct quality-focused reviews to ensure requirements are met.
- Technical Guidance: Provide mentorship to other technicians and cross-functional teams, offering problem-solving support and technical expertise.
- Manage Documentation: Develop and maintain detailed fabrication and manufacturing documentation, test plans, procedures, and work instructions. Present project data for company and customer reporting.
- Communicate Effectively: Foster effective communication with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure project success.
- Drive Process Improvement: Enhance product development processes and methodologies to increase efficiency and quality.
- Ensure Compliance and Safety: Uphold industry standards, regulations, and safety guidelines in all activities.
Job Qualifications: The Senior Engineering Technician shall have:
- Experience: 10+ years of specialized experience in complex UAV fabrication, testing, and production manufacturing, RC aircraft construction, UAV prototyping, or similar
- Technical Skills: Highly skilled in lightweight structural composite fabrication processes and methodologies, electronic components, and wiring harness assembly/integration, especially for UAV systems.
- Problem-Solving: Superior analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated passion for operational excellence, innovation, and finding solutions as problems arise.
- Communication: Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills. Capable of effectively conveying technical information to diverse audiences.
- Interpersonal Skills: Advanced interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and maintain credibility in customer, supplier, and coworker interactions.
- Initiative: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues to drive projects to successful completion in a team environment.
- Adaptability: Ability to quickly understand and apply new concepts in evolving environments while adjusting work approaches to address complex problems.
- Attention to Detail: Demonstrated ability to be meticulous and thorough in completing work tasks, ensuring high-quality results and adherence to specifications and standards.
- Software Proficiency: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software tools.
- Contribute to the creation, modification, and maintenance of all documents, procedures, contracts, risk management plans, and any other documentation required by a customer or stakeholder
- Physical Demands: These can include standing, walking, lifting, pushing, carrying heavy objects, prolonged sitting and keyboarding, computer and desk work, and auto and plane travel.
- Other duties as assigned
Preferred Qualifications: - Composites airframe experience - especially with lightweight carbon structures, typical bonding operations, fit checking, assembly jigging and light repairs and mods to adjust fit, finish or assembly
- Electronic component and wiring harness assembly/integration training and experience - especially with uncrewed systems
- Hands-on experience building, prototyping, and testing complex uncrewed systems
- Direct experience in transitioning new products from prototyping into production.
- Expertise in CAD and 3D printing methods, materials, and best practices
- Aerospace and defense industry experience
- Ability to obtain DOD Secret clearance
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To conform to the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
Zepher Flight Labs is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, political affiliation, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, parental status, military or Veteran status.