Manufacturing Specialist, Drones

ABOUT THE TEAM

Our Manufacturing Team is dedicated to rapidly iterating and building cutting-edge drone hardware for operational and testing applications. Our responsibilities span the entire manufacturing value-chain—from design for manufacturability, tooling design and selection, process creation and optimization, to quality planning and comprehensive work documentation.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Manufacturing Specialist to join our rapidly growing team in Santa Ana, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for the assembly, repair, and testing of advanced drone systems while supporting new product introductions and process improvements. You will work closely with manufacturing and support engineers, draft and update technical documentation, and build fixtures to ensure the highest quality and reliability of our drone hardware. This will require expertise in mechanical troubleshooting, precision machining, blueprint reading, and hands-on maintenance and repair. If you are someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with strong communication skills and a passion for continuous improvement, then this role is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Collaborate with manufacturing and support engineers on production processes and new product introductions
• Execute repair and maintenance tasks for drones and assemble fixtures according to quality standards
• Conduct rigorous testing and qualification validations while driving process improvements
• Draft, write, and update procedures for drone manufacturing and repair
• Design and build tooling and fixtures to support new testing requirements
• Travel up to 20% for offsite test support and project requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in high volume manufacturing and assembly within aerospace, military, or other high-reliability industries.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and repair skills, with experience in maintaining and upgrading production processes.
• Excellent blueprint reading, technical documentation, and test procedure development skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience with drone systems or related unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Demonstrated capability to train new hires or lead small teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing methodologies (5S, TPM) and process improvement strategies.
• Experience in drafting and revising standard operating procedures for technical processes.