Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic

Swarm Aero

$62K — $114K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • FAA A&P certificate required
  • 7+ years of diverse aircraft experience
  • Experience in building or modifying aircraft
  • Proficient in composite fabrication and repair
  • Skilled in reading and working from evolving technical drawings
  • Able to collaborate effectively with engineers
  • Eligible for U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Fabricate, assemble, and integrate prototype unmanned aircraft
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to identify and resolve build issues
  • Troubleshoot mechanical and systems problems with the engineering team
  • Perform composite fabrication and install critical systems and components
  • Support ground and flight testing, ensuring compliance and performance
  • Maintain detailed build records and configuration documentation
  • Train and mentor junior technicians as the team expands.

Benefits

  • Equity stake in a growing defense technology firm
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans
  • Generous paid time off and sick leave
  • Monthly wellness stipend to support health initiatives
  • Daily catered lunches for on-site employees
  • Paid parental leave for new parents
  • Opportunity to contribute directly to national security projects.
  • Join a team of top-tier engineers and operators tackling complex challenges.
Full Job Description
We need an A&P mechanic who wants to build aircraft, not just service them. You would be using a variety of the knowledge learned to obtain your A&P certificate. You will be working directly with our structures, propulsion, electrical, and autonomy engineers on the shop floor, turning designs into real hardware. The drawings will change. The procedures will evolve. This is the job. A typical week might involve fabricating composite structure in the morning, fitting and integrating avionics and electrical systems in the afternoon, and supporting a ground test at the end of the week. When something does not fit right or behave right, you will be the one working with the engineering team to figure out why and what to do about it. We are also looking for someone who can help train and bring up the next technicians we hire as the team grows. What You Will Be Doing • Fabricating, assembling, and integrating prototype unmanned aircraft from engineering drawings and work instructions that are actively being revised • Working side by side with structures, propulsion, electrical, and autonomy engineers throughout the build process, flagging issues and feeding practical knowledge back into the design • Troubleshooting mechanical, structural, and systems problems and working with the engineering team to root-cause and resolve them • Fabricating, assembling / installing systems and components (fuel, oil plumbing), landing gear, flight controls and sub-structures. • Composite fabrication and repair, including wet layup, prepreg, honeycomb, and bonded structure • Supporting ground and flight test campaigns, conducting pre- and post-flight inspections and executing modifications to develop the test vehicle • Interpreting engineering drawings, CAD outputs, redlines, and evolving work instructions as the aircraft matures • Keeping accurate build records, test logs, and configuration documentation • Contributing to written procedures and assembly instructions as the program moves from prototype toward production • Training and mentoring junior technicians as the team grows • Traveling to flight test locations and field sites as needed • Assisting with the general set-up / development of the facility What We Are Looking For Required • FAA A&P certificate • 7+ years working on aircraft, across more than one type (a variety of aircraft, systems, structures). • Experience building or modifying aircraft, in addition to maintaining them • Experience with composite fabrication and repair • Experience fabrication of tubing, hoses, metallic structures / supports. • Comfortable reading and working from drawings and documentation that are still being revised • Able to work closely with engineers and speak up when something does not look right • Able to lift 50 lbs. and work in varied indoor and outdoor environments • Eligible to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required) • Willing to travel to test locations to support active flight campaigns Preferred • Experience with prototype, experimental, or R&D aircraft programs • Background supporting ground and flight test operations • Familiarity with build documentation and configuration management on developmental programs Compensation: $30.00/hr. - $55.00/hr. + equity What we Offer: • Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company • Competitive base salary commensurate with experience • Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k • PTO and Paid Sick Time • Monthly Wellness Stipend • Daily catered lunch to office • Paid parental leave • Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security • World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problem What We Offer • Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company • Competitive base salary commensurate with experience • Medical, dental, vision, and 401k • PTO and paid sick leave • Monthly wellness stipend • Daily catered lunch (office) • Paid parental leave • Direct impact on a critical national security mission • A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems

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