Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Kite Technician (Airborne Wind Energy)

🎯 Role Definition

The Kite Technician is a critical, hands-on role responsible for the operational readiness, safety, and performance of our advanced Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems. You are the on-the-ground expert, ensuring our large-scale energy kites are assembled, maintained, and operated to the highest standards. This position is at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, directly contributing to the generation of clean power through cutting-edge autonomous kite systems. We're looking for a proactive and meticulous individual who thrives in a dynamic R&D and field operations environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT)
UAS/Drone Technician
Wind Turbine Technician

Advancement To:

Lead Kite Technician / Senior Technician
Flight Operations Manager
Test Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Field Service Engineer
Quality Assurance Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight inspections and maintenance on advanced airborne wind energy (AWE) kite systems to ensure operational safety and optimal performance.
Assemble, disassemble, and rig complex kite systems, including airframes, tether lines, and control pods, following detailed engineering drawings and procedures.
Execute detailed functional check-outs and system-level tests of all kite subsystems, including avionics, power electronics, sensors, and actuators.
Troubleshoot and diagnose complex electromechanical, avionic, and software-related issues in the field, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools, multimeters, and schematics.
Conduct precision composite repairs on kite airframes and structural components, including fiberglass and carbon fiber layup, bonding, and finishing.
Install, calibrate, and maintain a wide array of onboard sensors, including GPS, IMUs, airspeed sensors, and load cells.
Manage and maintain the ground station equipment, including winches, launch/landing systems, and communication hardware.
Operate heavy machinery such as cranes, forklifts, and aerial work platforms for the handling and positioning of large kite components.
Document all maintenance actions, repairs, and inspections meticulously in a digital maintenance tracking system, ensuring a complete history for each asset.
Collaborate directly with the engineering team to provide critical feedback on system performance, reliability, and serviceability to drive design improvements.
Execute test plans and flight operations as a core member of the flight crew, monitoring system health and responding to in-flight anomalies.
Manage inventory of spare parts, tools, and consumables, initiating procurement requests to ensure operational readiness and prevent downtime.
Fabricate and assemble custom wiring harnesses, test fixtures, and mechanical prototypes to support ongoing research and development efforts.
Perform load testing and verification of critical structural and mechanical components according to established test protocols.
Uphold and champion a rigorous safety culture, actively participating in safety briefings, risk assessments, and incident reporting.
Install and update flight control software and firmware on kite systems and ground control stations, ensuring proper version control.
Read and interpret complex technical documentation, including electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and software manuals.
Support the integration of new hardware and sensor payloads onto the kite platform, ensuring proper mechanical and electrical interfaces.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workshop and flight line environment in accordance with 5S principles and company safety standards.
Assist in the development and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance manuals, and training materials.
Conduct weather observations and analysis to determine safe conditions for flight testing and operations.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to assist engineering investigations.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by ensuring high-quality data collection from the field.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for future system iterations.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering and operations teams.
Provide training and mentorship to junior technicians and new team members on system operation and maintenance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Composite Materials Repair: Proficiency in repairing carbon fiber and fiberglass structures, including layup, vacuum bagging, and bonding.
Electromechanical Systems: Strong ability to diagnose and repair complex systems integrating mechanical, electrical, and electronic components.
Avionics & UAS Maintenance: Experience with UAS/drone hardware, autopilots (e.g., Pixhawk), and associated sensors (GPS, IMU, etc.).
Reading Technical Schematics: Ability to read and interpret complex electrical wiring diagrams, mechanical blueprints, and assembly drawings.
FAA Part 107 Certification: Current Remote Pilot Certificate is highly desirable for test flight operations.
Soldering & Wiring: High-reliability soldering skills (IPC certification preferred) and experience building custom wiring harnesses.
Diagnostic Software & Tools: Competency using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and specialized software for system diagnostics and calibration.
Network & RF Systems: Basic understanding of IP networking, radio frequency (RF) communication links, and antenna systems.
Ground Support Equipment: Experience operating winches, generators, and other ground station hardware.
Basic Machining/Fabrication: Familiarity with basic shop tools (drill press, band saw, grinder) for light fabrication and modification tasks.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of work, from assembly to documentation.
Problem-Solving: A systematic and creative approach to troubleshooting complex and often unprecedented issues.
Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced R&D environment where procedures and priorities can change quickly.
Safety-Conscious Mindset: An unwavering commitment to safety protocols and procedures for oneself and the team.
Strong Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely communicate technical issues and feedback to engineers and team members.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to achieve common goals.
Resilience: Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure, especially during critical field operations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by a technical/vocational certificate in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Associate's (A.S.) or Bachelor's (B.S.) degree in a technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology (A&P License is a plus)
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Mechatronics or Robotics
Electronics Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of hands-on experience as a technician in aviation, aerospace, robotics, or a similar high-tech industry.

Preferred: Experience in a research and development (R&D), field-testing, or startup environment is highly desirable. Direct experience with large-scale drones, experimental aircraft, or other complex autonomous systems is a significant advantage.