Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Engineering Development Technician IV will support the development and integration of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for defense and commercial applications. This role is hands-on and focused on assembly, integration, test, and general shop support. Candidates have experience building, modifying, and troubleshooting drones, RC aircraft, or similar systems.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical and electrical assembly, integration, troubleshooting, repair, and testing of unmanned systems and sub-assemblies.
• Operate and maintain common shop equipment and tools (hand tools, power tools, soldering irons, crimp tools, small benchtop equipment, 3D printers, etc.).
• Provide assembly and integration support for prototype hardware, including wiring harnesses, avionics installation, payload integration, and ground support equipment.
• Assist with planning and kitting for builds to meet project schedules and milestones with aggressive timelines.
• Document build processes, rework steps, and best practices to support repeatability and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Shows strong initiative, ownership of work, and follow-through.
• Effective problem solving
• Serve as a lead technician on assigned engineering projects; coordinate with engineers to define tasks, report status, and highlight risks.
• Build and maintain development test fixtures, simple tools, and jigs using basic fabrication methods (no precision machining required).
• Provide practical design feedback to engineering to improve assembly, serviceability, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Help ensure lab and shop areas are safe, organized, and configured for efficient work (5S mindset).
• Support explosives safety program activities as required (training provided).
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of engineering development and testing.
• Familiarity with CAD or 3D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360).

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Prior experience building, flying, and troubleshooting drones/UAS or RC aircraft is strongly desired.
• Higher education (technical degree/certificate) and/or relevant industry certifications a plus.
• Experience with 3D additive manufacturing (desktop FDM printers, basic CAD-to-print workflow) heavily desired.
• Experience working with composites (wet layup or prepreg) is a plus.
• Experience interpreting engineering instructions (verbal, sketches, drawings, and written procedures) and creating/updating shop-floor documentation.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, prototype-driven environment where small teams share a broad range of responsibilities.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Occasionally may be required to travel Internationally and within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:
$31 - $48

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR a7 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required