Forward Deployed Drone Technician

This is a hands-on technician role focused on building, integrating, and provisioning Swan's autonomous aerial systems, then deploying alongside the engineering team to keep them mission-ready during flight tests, demonstrations, and customer operations around the world. You will assemble and provision pods and pod components, load and update firmware and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software in dynamic, high-stakes environments. The role involves significant international travel, including to Ukraine, to put systems directly into operators' hands.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, integrate, and provision Swan's pods and pod components — mechanical build-up, electronics and cable/harness installation, and end-to-end system checkouts.
• Install, update, and troubleshoot firmware and software across our aerial systems; provision and configure units for test and deployment.
• Provide hands-on hardware and software support at flight test, including running data collection on the DIVE and SOLO pods.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues in the field quickly and methodically under real-world conditions.
• Serve as a backup UAV pilot during test and demonstration events, operating platforms safely per established procedures.
• Travel domestically and internationally — including to Ukraine — to support testing, demonstrations, and customer integrations (see travel note below).
• Track work, issues, and configuration in Jira; document build and test procedures and feed field insights back to engineering.
• Maintain tooling, ground support equipment, and shipping/deployment readiness.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of hands-on technician experience in hardware/software integration, electro-mechanical
• assembly, UAS/robotics, avionics, or a comparable build-and-test environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and integrate electro-mechanical assemblies — mechanical fastening, connectorization/wiring, and following assembly instructions and drawings.
• Experience installing and updating firmware/software and provisioning/configuring hardware for field use.
• Comfort with Linux and command-line tools for setup, provisioning, and troubleshooting.• Familiarity with SolidWorks (reading and interpreting CAD, basic modifications) and Jira for issue and work tracking.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to Ukraine, at a pace that may approach ~50% (averaging roughly two weeks per month) during peak periods.
• Strong troubleshooting instincts and clear communication in fast-paced, customer-facing settings.
• Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and able to work a hybrid schedule (1–2 days remote acceptable).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen (this role requires access to export-controlled data).

Nice to have

• UAV/drone piloting experience, hobbyist or professional — more robust piloting skills are a strong bonus (FAA Part 107 a plus).
• Experience supporting field or flight-test campaigns, or forward-deployed operations.
• Familiarity with flight controllers/autopilots (PX4, ArduPilot) and ground control software.
• Exposure to RF/datalinks, sensors and payloads, batteries/power systems, or launch/recovery and ground support equipment.
• Soldering, harnessing, or basic composite/structural fabrication skills.
• Background in defense or other regulated, high-reliability environments; active security clearance a plus.

Benefits

• Top-tier health, dental, vision, short-/long-term disability, and life insurance, with full employee coverage and partial coverage for dependents
• Flexible/reasonable vacation and sick leave
• 401(k) plans, FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits
• Base Salary: $120,000 – $140,000. Actual compensation within this range depends on experience, skills, and qualifications. This role is also eligible for equity and Swan's full benefits package.