Aerial Systems Engineer

Nearmap • Arlington, VA

34d • Onsite

About The Position

As our Aerial Systems Engineer, you're the technical backbone of Nearmap's aerial capture operation in North America. You keep the cameras, sensors, and onboard systems that make our imagery possible running at full strength - installing and configuring equipment, troubleshooting issues in the field and in the shop, and making sure every aircraft in the fleet is ready to fly. You're the first call when a pilot hits a sensor problem, the person keeping parts and inventory moving where they're needed, and the one turning hard-won field lessons into documentation the whole team can use. If you like hands-on problem-solving, thrive under real production pressure, and want your work to directly keep a national capture operation flying, we want to talk to you.

Requirements

• Hands-on problem solver, just as comfortable with a soldering iron as a spreadsheet.
• Calm under pressure, especially when a sensor goes down mid-mission.
• Self-directed - you don't need someone looking over your shoulder to get it right.
• Clear communicator who can translate technical issues for a non-technical audience.
• Genuinely curious about new technology and how to make systems better.
• Takes feedback and turns it into changed practice.
• Closes what they open: a fault is not done until it is fixed, verified, and documented
• 2+ years of experience in an operational engineering, field service, or technical support role within a production environment.
• Technical trade or hands-on background (for example avionics, electro-mechanical, or sensor maintenance) or equivalent experience; a four-year degree is not required.
• Hands-on mechanical/electronic troubleshooting experience - comfortable setting up, testing, and repairing systems both in the field and in-house.
• Structured fault isolation: works a defect methodically through cabling, power, firmware, then component, rather than swapping parts at random, using system logs as part of that process.
• Careful, methodical handling of high-value precision optical and mechanical assemblies where mistakes are costly.
• Working knowledge of network connectivity troubleshooting across wired and wireless setups and physical cabling.
• Basic electronics skills, including use of a soldering iron and familiarity with board-level testing and calibration (multimeters, power supplies, oscilloscopes), plus comfort performing firmware and software updates via diagnostic tooling and troubleshooting devices on a local IP network
• Proven ability to own faults and tasks end to end with general supervision and a clear escalation path for complex faults, including verification and write-up.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues in plain language to a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lb individually and to team-lift and handle heavy assemblies, and to move and work in confined spaces and outdoors.
• Ability to accommodate last minute and unplanned travel (~60%) to support the fleet, work flexible hours including shared weekends, and hold a valid driver's license; must be legally authorized to work in the US.
• Comfortable working within an aviation maintenance and airworthiness-controlled environment; direct aviation or aerospace maintenance experience strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Able to independently root-cause intermittent or non-reproducing faults from logs.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and repair aerial camera systems and related hardware/software in aircraft — including preventive maintenance, part replacement, and post-repair testing to minimize production downtime.
• Provide first-level technical support for aerial system issues in production — troubleshooting with pilots and operators, reviewing Pilot Daily Reports, and documenting cases in Jira through to resolution.
• Perform mechanical and electrical testing of sensor equipment using tools such as multimeters, power supplies, and oscilloscopes.
• Manage aerial system inventory and logistics — ensuring operators have the media, software, and camera components they need, tracking spare parts, and shipping/receiving equipment domestically and internationally.
• Onboard new pilots on aerial system use, keep pilot training documentation current, and work with pilots and subcontractors to correct non-conformance.
• Work within and contribute to the operational and troubleshooting documentation and workflow standards so procedures stay consistent, scalable, and efficient.
• Support the transition of new hardware from R&D into production, including user acceptance testing and feedback on new software releases.
• Contribute to ImpactResponse deployments, supporting rapid data collection and delivery after catastrophe events.

Benefits

• 4 extra "YOU" days off each year—take a break, no questions asked!
• Company-sponsored volunteering days to give back.
• Generous parental leave policies for growing families.
• Work from Overseas Policy - explore the world in the approved list of cities while you work!
• Discounted Private Health Insurance plans.
• A Nearmap subscription (naturally!).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed