Full-Time
UAV Integration Technician
Updated on 9/11/2026
Swift Engineering
51-200 employees
Designs unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles
Compensation Overview
$30 - $40/hr
San Clemente, CA, USA
In Person
Travel to test sites is required for field operations and flight testing.
Bachelor's
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- The candidate must have 2–6+ years of hands-on experience in UAV, aerospace, robotics, or similar hardware environments.
- The candidate must have strong experience with mechanical assembly and electrical integration.
- The candidate must be able to read and interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics.
- The candidate must have experience troubleshooting complex mechanical and electrical systems.
- The candidate must be willing to travel and support field operations and flight testing.
- Perform mechanical and electrical integration of UAV platforms, including airframes, propulsion systems, avionics, and payloads.
- Follow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and integration procedures to support build activities.
- Assist engineering teams with system installation, routing, and configuration.
- Conduct routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs on UAV systems.
- Ensure aircraft are flight-ready in accordance with internal processes and safety standards.
- Track and document maintenance activities, discrepancies, and corrective actions.
- Support ground and flight test operations at test sites, including Rabbit Lake and Spaceport.
- Perform pre-flight and post-flight inspections and system checks.
- Assist with aircraft turnaround, troubleshooting, and launch and recovery activities.
- Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and integration issues.
- Support rapid troubleshooting in lab and field environments.
- Work with engineers to implement fixes and improvements.
- Assist with tracking and organizing components, tools, and spare parts.
- Support procurement and logistics for integration and test activities.
- Maintain clean, organized workspaces and integration areas.
- Follow and contribute to integration checklists, procedures, and best practices.
- Support configuration tracking and documentation of system changes.
- Provide feedback to improve integration and maintenance workflows.
- The candidate may have a bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Direct experience working with UAV platforms, autopilots, or avionics systems is preferred.
- Familiarity with flight-test operations and safety procedures is preferred.
- Experience with composite airframes and lightweight structures is preferred.
- Experience in research and development, startup, or defense environments is preferred.
Swift Engineering designs and builds high-performance vehicles with 30+ years of experience, specializing in unmanned systems, autonomy, robotics, and advanced composites. It conducts in-house product development and manufacturing, has produced more than 500 vehicles in a 60,000-square-foot facility, and has expanded into aerospace for both manned and unmanned programs. Its Swift020 Unmanned Air System is a winged drone that can take off and land like a quad-rotor and transition to efficient fixed-wing flight without extra launch or recovery equipment, serving markets such as oil and gas, maritime, emergency services, delivery, agriculture, research, surveillance, and defense, and features X-Blade Technology. The company aims to provide end-to-end development and production of high-performance unmanned and manned vehicles across multiple industries, reducing operation time and cost for customers.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
San Clemente, California
Founded
1983
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Swift won NASA SBIR Phase II on July 15, 2025, extending runway.
- November 12, 2025 ATLA exhibitor status opens Japanese defense and procurement conversations.
- May 21, 2025 hiring of Fernando Sarmiento expands composites manufacturing capacity.
What critics are saying
- Revenue depends on NASA and defense awards; one missed renewal starves development.
- SULE must prove 30-day flight in 2026 or lose credibility.
- Without government-funded wins, Swift lacks scale against larger defense contractors.
What makes Swift Engineering unique
- Swift Engineering combines design, manufacturing, and product development under one roof.
- NASA Phase II funding backs its SULE high-altitude endurance drone platform.
- ATLA Industry Day 2025 selection signals defense access in Tokyo.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Company News
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - May 21, 2025 - Swift Engineering, a leading innovator in advanced solutions for unmanned aviation as well as a range of other critical applications, has appointed Fernando Sarmiento to the position of Manufacturing Engineer.