UAS Flight Test Technician

Job description

**The Job:** As a UAS Flight Test Technician, you’ll support Seneca’s flight test program by preparing aircraft, managing ground equipment, running checklists, and keeping test sites safe, functional, and ready for operations. Your mission is to ensure every flight test is executed smoothly and that the team captures reliable, high-quality data. This is a ground operations role working closely with test pilots. You’ll apply strong mechanical intuition, field judgment, and disciplined procedures to keep hardware, batteries, tools, and test environments in top working condition. You’ll have full stop authority during tests and clear, structured support from experienced engineers. **What You'll Do:** - Deliver reliable aircraft readiness: Run pre/post-flight checks, assemble vehicles to required test configurations, spot mechanical/electrical issues early, and perform repairs or retrofits. - Maintain batteries and ground equipment: Track health and usage, charge and organize equipment, and support basic repairs. - Ensure safe, compliant test operations: during flights, maintain observation, monitor weather, enforce limits, and call aborts when needed. - Capture and report accurate test data: Operate cameras/instrumentation, upload footage and logs daily, and post-flight test reporting. - Perform routine fire-safety operations: Conduct controlled fire-ignition tests, operate fire extinguishers, and follow safety protocols. On-the-job training will be provided for this. - Keep the test site functional and hazard-free: Maintain cleanliness and organization, manage consumables, and surface facility needs promptly. Manage test site vendor relationships as needed. **What You Bring:** - Strong mechanical aptitude: confident with power tools, hand tools, fasteners, and mechanical inspection. Understand how physical systems fail and how to prevent it. - Experience in hands-on environments such as technician work, fabrication, field operations, maintenance and repair. - Safety-first mindset with rigor around checklists, logs, and procedures. - Technical literacy: Two-way radios, cameras, web-based software. - Physically able to lift 50 lbs, work outdoors in variable conditions, and travel to regional test sites (incl. early mornings/weekends). **Nice to have:** - Electrical basics: continuity checks, connectors, crimping, soldering - First-aid certifications - Fire-safety training **Beyond technical skills, we value:** - Ownership mentality — identify issues, follows through, closes the loop - Balance of velocity and quality — move fast, but with rigor and attention to detail - Efficiency & follow-through — keeps operations unblocked and organized - Iterative problem solving — breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine - Kindness and humility — thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teams that value open communication **What We Offer:** - **Competitive Salary** – Reflective of your skills and experience - **Equity Compensation** – Be a part-owner in the company's future - **Comprehensive Health Coverage** – Including medical, dental, and vision plans - **Health Savings Account (HSA)** – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses - **Unlimited PTO** – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays **About Us** Seneca is building cutting-edge drone and sensor technology for wildfire suppression, aiming to eliminate wildfire risk across 500 million acres of high-risk U.S. + allied territory. Backed by top-tier investors, including Convective Capital, Caffeinated Capital, First Round Capital, Slow Ventures, Nextview Ventures, Transition Capital, Bullpen Capital, Stepstone Group, Roar Capital, Offline Ventures, and leaders from Palantir, Google, Meta, and many others, the company has raised $110M in Series A funding and is valued over $500 million. Founded by Stu Landesberg (former Founder & CEO of Grove Collaborative — IPO in 2022 at $1.7B) and fire industry experts, Seneca is a mission-driven company dedicated to climate resilience and fire prevention. **Don’t meet every single requirement?** If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.