Manufacturing Technician (contractor)
About The Position
Firestorm Labs is seeking a skilled, detail-oriented Manufacturing Technician for its production team in San Diego. This hands-on role builds aircraft sub-assemblies and final assemblies to released work orders and routers, meeting schedule and quality standards. The position supports an Integrated Product Team (IPT) working on the Tempest, Squall, and Hurricane FPV aircraft lines. The technician works alongside Test Technicians and Quality Inspectors and helps improve assembly methods and work instructions as production scales. The role reports to the [Reporting Manager Title]. The position is onsite at Firestorm Labs' San Diego headquarters and is performed primarily on the production floor. It involves extended periods of standing, bending, and close visual work, including under magnification, and lifting up to 30 pounds. Required PPE includes safety glasses and ESD protection. Occasional overtime may be needed to support customer commitments.
Requirements
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education.
- Must be a U.S. Person as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62 due to ITAR regulations; this includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and protected individuals with asylee or refugee status.
- At least 2 years of hands-on assembly experience in aerospace, defense, UAS, electronics, or precision manufacturing.
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and work instructions.
- Experience using hand and power tools, torque tools, and basic measuring instruments such as calipers and gauges.
Nice To Haves
- IPC J-STD-001 and/or IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification.
- Experience with composite structures, RC or FPV aircraft, small engines (carbureted or EFI), or electromechanical systems.
- Experience working in an AS9100-compliant environment.
- Familiarity with ERP or MES systems, such as Unanet, and Jira.
- Startup, NPI, or low-rate initial production experience.
- Strong attention to detail and disciplined documentation habits.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, changing production environment.
Responsibilities
- Build aircraft sub-assemblies, including front landing gear, centerwing, and empennage, and final assemblies to released work orders, routers, drawings, and work instructions.
- Receive kitted material from the Warehouse, verify part numbers and quantities against the work order, and flag shortages or discrepancies before starting builds.
- Perform mechanical assembly, fastening, bonding, wire routing, connector termination, and soldering to workmanship standards.
- Complete router sign-offs and build records accurately and in real time, including serial and lot traceability.
- Hand off completed assemblies to Inspection and Test using the standard handoff log, including part number, quantity, MOT, and open items.
- Identify, tag, and segregate nonconforming material, and support NCMR entry and disposition in Jira.
- Support first article builds and new product introduction by redlining work instructions and recommending assembly method improvements.
- Maintain a clean, organized work area following 5S, FOD prevention, and ESD control practices.
- Perform rework and repair according to approved dispositions and engineering direction.
- Cross-train across sub-assembly stations within and between IPTs as production needs shift.
- Perform other duties as directed.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
