Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic

Swarm Aero • Oxnard, CA

4d • $30 - $45

About The Position

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogenous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.
The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, SpaceX, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.
We need an A&P mechanic who wants to build aircraft, not just service them. You would be using a variety of the knowledge learned to obtain your A&P certificate. You will be working directly with our structures, propulsion, electrical, and autonomy engineers on the shop floor, turning designs into real hardware. The drawings will change. The procedures will evolve. This is the job.
A typical week might involve fabricating composite structure in the morning, fitting and integrating avionics and electrical systems in the afternoon, and supporting a ground test at the end of the week. When something does not fit right or behave right, you will be the one working with the engineering team to figure out why and what to do about it.
We are also looking for someone who can help train and bring up the next technicians we hire as the team grows.

Requirements

• FAA A&P certificate
• 7+ years working on aircraft, across more than one type (a variety of aircraft, systems, structures).
• Experience building or modifying aircraft, in addition to maintaining them
• Experience with composite fabrication and repair
• Experience fabrication of tubing, hoses, metallic structures / supports.
• Comfortable reading and working from drawings and documentation that are still being revised
• Able to work closely with engineers and speak up when something does not look right
• Able to lift 50 lbs. and work in varied indoor and outdoor environments
• Eligible to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Willing to travel to test locations to support active flight campaigns

Nice To Haves

• Experience with prototype, experimental, or R&D aircraft programs
• Background supporting ground and flight test operations
• Familiarity with build documentation and configuration management on developmental programs

Responsibilities

• Fabricating, assembling, and integrating prototype unmanned aircraft from engineering drawings and work instructions that are actively being revised
• Working side by side with structures, propulsion, electrical, and autonomy engineers throughout the build process, flagging issues and feeding practical knowledge back into the design
• Troubleshooting mechanical, structural, and systems problems and working with the engineering team to root-cause and resolve them
• Fabricating, assembling / installing systems and components (fuel, oil plumbing), landing gear, flight controls and sub-structures.
• Composite fabrication and repair, including wet layup, prepreg, honeycomb, and bonded structure
• Supporting ground and flight test campaigns, conducting pre- and post-flight inspections and executing modifications to develop the test vehicle
• Interpreting engineering drawings, CAD outputs, redlines, and evolving work instructions as the aircraft matures
• Keeping accurate build records, test logs, and configuration documentation
• Contributing to written procedures and assembly instructions as the program moves from prototype toward production
• Training and mentoring junior technicians as the team grows
• Traveling to flight test locations and field sites as needed
• Assisting with the general set-up / development of the facility

Benefits

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company
• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k
• PTO and Paid Sick Time
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Daily catered lunch to office
• Paid parental leave
• Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
• World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problem

What This Job Offers

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