UAV Integration Technician at Swift Engineering – San Clemente, California

About Swift Engineering

If you’re passionate about engineering, innovation and making a difference, we invite you to join the Swift Engineering family. Together, we are shaping the future of aerospace and creating technologies that will change the world.

UAV Integration Technician

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on UAV Integration Technician to support the assembly, integration, maintenance, and flight readiness of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within a fast-paced R&D environment.

This role is critical to ensuring our aircraft are properly built, integrated, and operational for ongoing development and flight test activities. The ideal candidate has strong practical experience working with UAV systems, is detail-oriented, and is comfortable operating both in a lab and in field test environments.

Key Responsibilities

UAV Assembly & Integration

Perform mechanical and electrical integration of UAV platforms, including airframe, propulsion systems, avionics, and payloadsFollow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and integration procedures to support build activitiesAssist engineering teams with system installation, routing, and configuration

Maintenance & Aircraft Readiness

Conduct routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs on UAV systemsEnsure aircraft are flight-ready in accordance with internal processes and safety standardsTrack and document maintenance activities, discrepancies, and corrective actions

Flight Test & Field Operations Support

Support ground and flight test operations at test sites (e.g., Rabbit Lake, Spaceport, etc.)Perform pre-flight and post-flight inspections and system checksAssist with aircraft turnaround, troubleshooting, and launch/recovery activities

Troubleshooting & Repairs

Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and integration issuesSupport rapid troubleshooting in both lab and field environmentsWork closely with engineers to implement fixes and improvements

Inventory & Hardware Management

Assist with tracking and organizing components, tools, and spare partsSupport procurement and logistics for integration and test activitiesMaintain clean, organized workspaces and integration areas

Documentation & Process Support

Follow and contribute to integration checklists, procedures, and best practicesSupport configuration tracking and documentation of system changesProvide feedback to improve integration and maintenance workflows

Required Qualifications

2–6+ years of hands-on experience in UAV, aerospace, robotics, or similar hardware environmentsStrong experience with mechanical assembly and electrical integrationAbility to read and interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematicsExperience troubleshooting complex systems (mechanical and electrical)Willingness to travel and support field operations and flight testing

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related fieldDirect experience working with UAV platforms, autopilots, or avionics systemsFamiliarity with flight test operations and safety proceduresExperience with composite airframes and lightweight structuresExperience in R&D, startup, or defense environments

Key Traits for Success

Highly hands-on and execution-focusedStrong attention to detail and craftsmanshipAble to work independently and take ownership of tasksComfortable operating in fast-paced, evolving environmentsReliable and composed during field operations

What We Offer

Direct impact on UAV design and performanceClose collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teamsOpportunity to work on cutting-edge unmanned aircraft systems

Swift Engineering Benefits

Medical Insurance - 90% covered for EmployeesVision Insurance - 100% covered for EmployeesDental Insurance - 100% covered for EmployeesLife Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.401k with company matchExtremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.The pay range for this role is:30 - 40 USD per hour(San Clemente, CA)