Avionics Crew Chief

Odys Aviation•Long Beach, CA

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally. To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in late 2025 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract. We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives. Odys is looking for a highly skilled Lead Maintenance Technician with an avionics background to join our team as a Crew Chief. In this role, you will bridge the gap between development engineering and flight operations. You will be responsible for the fabrication, installation, and troubleshooting of complex avionics systems on our eVTOL aircraft, with a specific focus on integrating mission-critical payloads (sensors, cameras, communications). The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with high-voltage electric propulsion systems, has the adaptability required for a rapid-prototyping, flight-test environment, and has previous a military rotorcraft avionics technician background

Requirements

FAA A&P Certificate: An Airframe & Powerplant license is non-negotiable.
Inspection Authorization (IA): Highly desirable for a "Chief" role, allowing you to sign off on major repairs and annual inspections
Experience: 5+ years of experience in avionics, aerospace electrical systems, or complex unmanned systems.
eVTOL/UAV Knowledge: Demonstrated experience working with electric propulsion, lithium-ion battery integration, or hybrid-electric architectures.
Technical Skills: Expert proficiency in soldering, crimping (Mil-Spec), and harness building. Familiarity with standard test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, milliohm meters).
Documentation: Ability to read and red-line complex electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
Education: High School Diploma or GED required; A&P License, FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), or military avionics training highly preferred.
Ability to work around high-voltage systems (training will be provided, but safety consciousness is mandatory).
Ability to stand, bend, and work in tight spaces within an airframe for extended periods.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Willingness to travel to flight test ranges if required (up to 75% travel). The majority of time in this role will be spent onsite at our flight test range in Buttonwillow, CA.

Nice To Haves

Part 135 & 145 Experience: Most eVTOL operators (like Joby, Archer, Beta) aim to operate as air carriers (Part 135) or repair stations (Part 145). Experience in these regulated environments is often preferred over general aviation (Part 91).
FCC GROL: A General Radiotelephone Operator License is increasingly valuable due to the heavy reliance on complex avionics and telemetry links.
Experience with IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards.
Background in R&D or Flight Test environments (Part 23, Part 27, or equivalent UAV class experience).
Knowledge of communication protocols (CAN, ARINC 429, Ethernet, Serial).
Experience integrating C2 (Command and Control) datalinks and mesh radios.
Associate degree in Avionics Technology or Electronics.

Responsibilities

Avionics & Electrical Fabrication
Fabricate, route, and terminate complex wire harnesses according to IPC-620 standards (crimping, soldering, shielding).
Read and interpret engineering schematics, wiring diagrams, and interconnect drawings to build and install avionics suites.
Perform modifications and repairs to existing electrical systems during flight test campaigns.
Payload Integration
Lead the mechanical and electrical integration of diverse payloads, including EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, Radar, and experimental communication links.
Fabricate custom interface cables for non-standard payloads to interface with the aircraft's CAN bus, Ethernet, or serial (RS-232/422) networks.
Troubleshoot data and power issues between the Flight Control System (FCS) and auxiliary payloads.
Work with the engineering team to design temporary mounting solutions for rapid testing.
eVTOL & High Voltage (HV) Systems
Safely install and maintain High Voltage (HV) distribution systems, including cabling, busbars, and connectors for electric propulsion units.
Assist in the integration and checkout of Battery Management Systems (BMS) and motor controllers/inverters.
Execute pre-flight and post-flight checks on avionics and electric propulsion systems.
Testing & Documentation
Perform continuity checks, insulation resistance tests, and power-on system validation.
Document all work performed, including harness build logs, red-lining schematics for engineering updates, and maintaining configuration control.
Collaborate with Flight Test Engineers to troubleshoot anomalies discovered during ground and flight operations. Support the development and implementation of aircraft maintenance and operations documents.
Operational Leadership Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Management: You won't just be managing fuel trucks; you will manage Mega-Watt Charging Stations. Understanding thermal management of chargers and liquid cooling carts is vital.
Quick-Turn Optimization: eVTOL business models rely on 10–15 minute turnarounds. You need experience running a "pit crew" style operation (simultaneous charging, loading, and inspection).
Safety Management Systems (SMS): Experience actively participating in an SMS (reporting hazards, risk mitigation) is required, especially since these aircraft operate in