Position Summary

The UAS Crew Chief Maintainer is a senior-level maintenance professional responsible for the overall airworthiness, operational readiness, and safe ground handling of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This role combines hands-on technical maintenance with crew leadership, ensuring the UAS platform, payloads, ground control stations (GCS), and support equipment are maintained to the highest standards for mission success. The Crew Chief serves as the primary point of accountability for the aircraft on the ground, coordinating with flight crews, performing inspections, and authorizing flight releases. This position is critical in both operational and test environments, often involving CONUS/OCONUS travel and deployment support. This position involves 50-70% travel but DOES NOT require relocation.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and supervise scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on Group 3/4/5 UAS air vehicles, engines, avionics, hydraulic/pneumatic systems, electrical systems, payloads, ground control stations, and associated support equipment.
• Conduct preflight, thru-flight, post-flight, special, and phase inspections; document all maintenance actions accurately in accordance with technical manuals, company procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Lead launch and recovery operations, including aircraft jacking, towing, fueling/defueling, and ground handling.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and avionics malfunctions; repair or replace components as required.
• Ensure strict compliance with all safety, quality, and airworthiness standards (including FAA, DoD, or manufacturer technical data, service bulletins, and engineering directives).
• Authorize aircraft for flight by completing and signing required maintenance forms and flight release documentation.
• Supervise and mentor junior maintainers; provide on-the-job training and technical guidance to the maintenance team.
• Fabricate minor parts or modifications when authorized and perform preventive maintenance and corrosion control.
• Maintain accurate records, logs, and forms for all maintenance activities; input data into maintenance information systems.
• Participate in mission planning, briefings, and debriefings as the maintenance representative.
• Support recovery and reclamation efforts in the event of incidents or mishaps.
• Enforce safety protocols, foreign object damage (FOD) prevention, and tool control programs at all times.

Required Qualifications:

• Current or ability to obtain FAA Class III medical certificate
• Previous demonstrated experience performing as a UAS Crew Chief on group 3 or greater UAS
• The ability to record all maintenance actions in an aircraft logbook
• Ability to strictly follow all procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Group 4-5 UAS or comparable size manned aircraft.
• Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification
• Previous experience with Rotax engines and/or Rotax training qualifications
• Ability to properly maintain and track mission critical HAZMAT items and equipment
• Ability to create new procedures for R&D purposes and implement them into Standard Operating Procedures