Unmanned Aerial Systems Technician (UAS Technician)
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and TechniciansDescription
Install, operate, test, maintain, and adjust unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), ground control stations, payloads, and data links. Conduct flight operations and collect sensor data for inspection, mapping, agriculture, public safety, and hazardous environment assessment. Troubleshoot and repair airframes, avionics, and RF systems, and assist engineers with integration, configuration, and testing of new platforms and payloads while ensuring FAA compliance and safety.
- • Test UAS airframes, powertrains, avionics, and sensors using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and telemetry logs.
- • Read wiring diagrams, airframe drawings, manuals, and checklists to plan builds and maintenance.
- • Install flight controllers, ESCs, GPS, radios, and payload interfaces using soldering and hand tools.
- • Align and assemble airframes, motors, propellers, gimbals, and mounts using jigs and hand/power tools.
- • Inspect airframes, propellers, wiring, and connectors for damage, wear, or corrosion.
- • Verify prop balance, motor alignment, and component clearances with calipers, balancers, and gauges.
- • Fabricate or 3D-print brackets, mounts, and fixtures for payloads, antennas, or cable management.
- • Calibrate and tune flight controllers, IMUs, compasses, gimbals, and payload sensors.
- • Train pilots and crew to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot UAS and ground control systems.
- • Configure, script, and test autonomous missions, geofencing, and fail-safes in mission-planning software.
- • Operate, test, and maintain UAS for precision agriculture, inspection, mapping, or hazardous site assessment.
- • Document preflight and postflight checks, maintenance actions, test flights, and fault isolation results.
- • Evaluate flight controller, ESC, power distribution, and sensor integration for new or upgraded platforms.
- • Analyze flight logs and performance data to optimize endurance, payload capacity, and maintenance intervals.
- • Coordinate with fabricators or vendors to ensure airframe modifications and mounts meet design requirements.
- • Verify components and operations comply with FAA rules, RF spectrum regulations, and EMC standards.
- • Implement safe battery charging, storage, and disposal practices per safety and environmental guidelines.
- • Maintain fleet logs, component inventories, firmware baselines, and configuration records.
- • Assemble airframes and gimbals; build and wire harnesses, power distribution boards, and payload connectors.
- • Identify weight- and energy-saving choices, such as motor, propeller, and material selection, to extend flight time.
- • Install and update autopilot firmware, ground control software, and radio link configurations.
- • Diagnose and repair motors, ESCs, propellers, wiring, antennas, landing gear, and fuselage structures.
- • Produce wiring diagrams and payload mount models and drawings using CAD tools.
- • Use spectrum analyzers, RF meters, battery analyzers, and telemetry tools to assess links and power systems.
- • Select airframes, motors, batteries, propellers, radios, and payloads to meet mission and regulatory needs.
- • Conduct preflight inspections, maintenance QA, and flight readiness reviews per SOPs.
- • Translate payload and airframe drawings into installation specs considering CG, vibration, thermal, and EMI.
- • Assist engineers in integrating and field-testing new UAS platforms, payloads, and control systems.
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Advanced Manufacturing
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
