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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Unmanned Systems Technician

💰 $45,000 - $95,000

AerospaceUnmanned SystemsField ServiceAvionicsRobotics

🎯 Role Definition

The Unmanned Systems Technician installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and certifies unmanned aerial and ground systems (UAS/UAV/UGV) and their payloads to enable safe, reliable mission operations. This role combines avionics and mechanical assembly skills with software configuration, telemetry and sensor integration, battery and power management, field deployment support, maintenance documentation, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FAA Part 107). Ideal candidates are detail-oriented technicians with hands-on experience in aircraft systems, electronics, RF/telemetry, and mission support in both lab and austere field environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Electronics Technician / Avionics Technician
  • Field Service Technician or Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT)
  • Drone / Remote Pilot Operator (Part 107 or military equivalent)

Advancement To:

  • Lead Unmanned Systems Technician / Senior UAS Technician
  • UAS Engineer (Avionics/Systems Integration)
  • Flight Test Engineer or Maintenance Supervisor
  • Program Manager / Operations Manager for Unmanned Systems

Lateral Moves:

  • Flight Operations Specialist / Mission Planner
  • Sensor Integration Specialist or Payload Engineer
  • Field Service Engineer for robotics or defense systems

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform end-to-end maintenance, inspection, and repair of unmanned systems (rotary-wing, fixed-wing, and ground vehicles), including mechanical airframes, motors, ESCs, servos, landing gear, and structural repairs to ensure airworthiness and mission readiness.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex avionics and electrical issues using multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and bench test rigs; develop fault isolation procedures and recommend corrective actions to restore system functionality.
  • Integrate and calibrate mission payloads (electro-optical/IR sensors, LiDAR, synthetic apertures, communications relays) including mechanical mounting, power provisioning, data links, and sensor-specific firmware and drivers.
  • Configure and tune flight control systems and autopilots (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot, proprietary flight stacks), perform sensor calibrations (IMU, magnetometer, GPS), and validate stability and control through ground and flight testing.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and update onboard and ground-based software including firmware flashing, mission planning software (e.g., QGroundControl, Mission Planner), GPS/RTK configuration, and secure telemetry protocols (MAVLink, proprietary links).
  • Manage battery systems lifecycle for LiPo, Li-Ion, and other chemistries: charge/discharge cycles, storage protocols, capacity testing, cell balancing, BMS diagnostics and safe disposal procedures to mitigate fire and safety risks.
  • Conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections, create and maintain maintenance logs and technical records, capture discrepancies, and complete corrective maintenance in accordance with organizational SOPs and regulatory requirements.
  • Perform preventive maintenance programs and scheduled depot-level refurbishments including component replacement, alignment, and functional verification to maximize aircraft availability and minimize mission delays.
  • Execute RF and telemetry troubleshooting for data links, antennas, and radios, including spectrum checks, link budgeting, interference analysis, and repair or replacement of RF feedlines, connectors, and transceivers.
  • Assemble and disassemble platforms for transport and field deployment, design and fabricate custom mounts or adapters, and prepare kitting lists and packing procedures to support rapid forward operations.
  • Build and maintain an inventory of spare parts, consumables, and specialized tools; forecast spares usage, coordinate procurement, and support vendor relations for parts and warranties.
  • Create, update, and enforce maintenance checklists, standard operating procedures (SOPs), troubleshooting flowcharts, and training materials to standardize repairs and speed technician onboarding.
  • Support flight test planning and execution by instrumenting vehicles, recording telemetry and sensor outputs, conducting data capture sessions, and collaborating with engineers to iterate on system fixes and performance tuning.
  • Apply soldering, wiring harness fabrication, and connectorization techniques (including heat shrink, crimping, and strain relief) to maintain reliable power and data connections across vehicles and payloads.
  • Perform software-in-the-loop (SITL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) tests to validate control software changes and sensor integrations in a controlled environment prior to flight.
  • Troubleshoot embedded systems and assist software/firmware engineers by providing hardware testbeds, reproducing faults, and collecting logs for root-cause analysis across avionics and payload subsystems.
  • Ensure compliance with regional aviation regulations and safety standards; support Part 107 operations, waivers, airspace briefings, and coordinate with flight operations and safety officers prior to missions.
  • Conduct field repairs in austere and harsh conditions, including temperature extremes, dust, humidity, and salt air; adapt repair techniques and prioritize safety and mission continuity under time pressure.
  • Provide technical training and mentorship for junior technicians and operators on pre-flight checks, basic repairs, battery handling, and safe field operations to raise overall team capability.
  • Implement quality control and continuous improvement actions by tracking repair metrics, mean time between failures (MTBF), returning faulty units to vendors, and recommending design or process changes to engineering.
  • Support depot-level refurbishment and end-of-life disposals including safe decommissioning, parts reclamation, and environmental compliance for hazardous components.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist operations teams with mission planning, waypoints, geofencing setup, payload tasking, and data extraction workflows to ensure sensor data meets customer requirements.
  • Participate in cross-functional reviews with engineering, product management, and QA to provide maintenance-driven insights for design-for-maintainability improvements.
  • Maintain and update technical documentation, parts lists (BOMs), wiring diagrams, and configuration baselines in the configuration management system or CMDB.
  • Support customer-facing activities including field demonstrations, on-site troubleshooting, and technical after-sales support to ensure contract SLAs are met.
  • Help evaluate new tools, diagnostic equipment, and automated test benches to improve repair throughput and reduce error rates.
  • Contribute to safety and risk assessments, accident investigations, and post-mishap inspections; produce lessons learned and corrective action plans.
  • Coordinate with logistics and transport teams on hazardous materials shipping (battery transportation), customs paperwork, and export control requirements when deploying systems internationally.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Avionics & Flight Control Systems: hands-on experience with autopilots (PX4, ArduPilot, or proprietary), IMU/GPS calibration, and stability tuning.
  • Electronics Troubleshooting: proficiency with multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, bench power supplies, and circuit-level diagnostics.
  • RF & Telemetry Systems: experience configuring/diagnosing radios, antennas, telemetry protocols (MAVLink), and performing link-budget and interference analysis.
  • Battery & Power Systems: battery cell testing, BMS diagnostics, safe charging/discharging procedures, and thermal/runaway mitigation for LiPo/Li-Ion chemistries.
  • Mechanical Assembly & Repair: airframe assembly, composite/metal repair techniques, structural inspections, torque specs, and mechanical alignment.
  • Soldering & Wiring Harness Fabrication: IPC-A-610/IPC J-STD-001 level techniques, proper crimping, strain relief, and connector termination.
  • Firmware & Software Maintenance: firmware flashing, configuration management, version control basics (Git), and familiarity with mission planning tools (QGroundControl, Mission Planner).
  • Embedded Systems & Sensors: experience integrating EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, INS/IMU filtering, RTK/PPK GPS and camera sync for geotagged data capture.
  • Test & Validation: SITL/HITL testing, bench validation, flight-test instrumentation, and telemetry data capture/analysis for root-cause identification.
  • Tools & Equipment: competent with hand and power tools, torque wrenches, jigs/fixtures, 3D printers or rapid prototyping basics for custom parts.
  • Compliance & Documentation: knowledge of maintenance logs, SOP creation, technical drawings reading, and familiarity with aviation safety management systems.
  • GIS & Data Management (desirable): basic understanding of geospatial data formats, downlink handling, and payload data offload and QA.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and methodical troubleshooting approach when diagnosing complex multi-domain failures.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for producing maintenance reports, work orders, and customer-facing documentation.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to prioritize repairs under tight timelines and resource constraints.
  • Team player who collaborates across engineering, operations, and supply chain stakeholders to achieve mission success.
  • Adaptability to field conditions and changing mission requirements; comfortable traveling and working in austere environments.
  • Time management and organization to manage scheduled maintenance, ad-hoc repairs, and inventory responsibilities.
  • Teaching and coaching skills to mentor junior technicians and create effective hands-on training.
  • Customer-service orientation for supporting external stakeholders and resolving technical issues in the field.
  • Safety-first attitude with demonstrated commitment to following and improving safety procedures and checklists.
  • Continuous improvement focus; comfortable collecting metrics and implementing process or equipment upgrades.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus relevant technical certificates (electronics, avionics, or unmanned systems). Valid Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107) or equivalent is typically required or must be obtained shortly after hire.

Preferred Education:

Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in Avionics, Aerospace Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related technical field. Certifications such as IPC soldering, A&P or equivalent, and vendor-specific avionics certifications are strong pluses.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Avionics / Aerospace Technology
  • Electronics / Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Robotics / Mechatronics
  • Computer Science (embedded systems, firmware)
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience with unmanned systems, avionics, or field service electronics; military maintenance experience is frequently considered equivalent.

Preferred: 3+ years supporting complex UAS/UAV platforms including hands-on diagnostics, payload integration, and field deployments; prior experience with flight testing, RF systems, and battery management is highly desirable.

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