Full-Time
UAV Avionics Assembler 1
Zone 5 Technologies
201-500 employees
End-to-end UAS development for DoD
Compensation Overview
$19 - $24/hr
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
In Person
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
|---|
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 0–1 years of experience in electronics, avionics, or precision assembly
- Ability to read basic assembly drawings and follow written instructions
- Strong attention to detail and manual dexterity
Zone 5 Technologies designs and builds unmanned aircraft systems for the U.S. Department of Defense as a prime contractor. Its products include air-launched effects, counter-UAS interceptors, next-generation munitions, and low-cost cruise missiles. The PALADIN multi-mission UAS can autonomously intercept drones and deploy munitions, while the Open Weapon Platform provides a modular system to rapidly add new capabilities. The company focuses on vertically integrated development from concept to production and aims for digitally engineered, attritable, affordable aircraft that can scale through a DoD-approved deployment path via the DIU Blue UAS program.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
San Luis Obispo, California
Founded
2011
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Kongsberg acquired 90% of Zone 5 on December 16, 2025, unlocking global manufacturing scale.
- Pentagon selected Zone 5 for 10,000+ low-cost cruise missiles starting 2027 testing June 2026.
- $100M profitable sales in 2025 fund PALADIN and Open Weapon Platform production ramps.
What critics are saying
- Kongsberg overrides Zone 5's open architecture with proprietary Norwegian avionics standards.
- Anduril captures larger DoD missile contracts through faster AI-driven production ramps.
- Castelion's hypersonic weapons outcompete Zone 5's subsonic missiles post-2026 testing.
What makes Zone 5 Technologies unique
- Zone 5's Open Weapon Platform enables modular integration of third-party capabilities into UAS.
- PALADIN UAS on DIU Blue UAS list supports autonomous drone interception and munitions deployment.
- Vertically integrated from CONOPS to production for low-cost, high-rate attritable aircraft.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Company News
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has signed an agreement to acquire the California-based missile company Zone 5 Technologies LLC, which designs and produces affordable, mass producible long-range strike and anti-drone missiles. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.
Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Gruppen has agreed to acquire 90 percent of US-based Zone 5 Technologies, which develops and produces low-cost missiles in large volumes. The purchase price was not disclosed, and the deal requires regulatory approval. Zone 5's management will retain the remaining shares. The company generated over $100 million in sales in 2025 and is profitable. It will operate as an independent subsidiary under Kongsberg. "The acquisition of Zone 5 is an important strategic step for Kongsberg. Zone 5 is at the forefront of developing affordable missiles that can be produced in large volumes," said Geir Håøy, CEO of Kongsberg Gruppen.