Position Title: Technician - Airframe
Department: Engineering
Reports to: VP of Engineering
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA (on-site)
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective: Immediately
Company Description
PteroDynamics Inc. designs superior autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems that fly faster and go farther to reach remote locations without runways, even in harsh conditions. PteroDynamics’ Transwing® aircraft is unlike any other VTOL system, performing like a great fixed-wing aircraft with superb VTOL capabilities. Transwing aircraft unfold their wings to transition smoothly and quickly between vertical and horizontal flight, overcoming limitations inherent in other VTOL designs by combining the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with superior VTOL performance in an efficient, highly automated platform. The Transwing is ideal for automating time-sensitive delivery of critical high-value payloads to-hard-to-reach locations, including maritime logistics support, payload delivery to remote locations without airstrips, and reconnaissance and surveillance. Seeing is believing. Visit PteroDynamics.com for details and videos.
Position Summary
Join PteroDynamics’ expanding engineering team for a fantastic opportunity to enter into an exciting and growing UAS industry. Become an airframe tech apprentice and learn on the job about composite airframe construction, assembly, repair and modifications. You’ll also learn about mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, laboratory testing, ground support equipment, and development of novel UAS technologies. You must be capable of working long hours as needed to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and have the desire and patience to learn proper methods and techniques to advance your lifelong skill sets in this field.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The most common tasks will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Assisting with airframe structural assemblies
- Performing receiving inspections of airframe components
- Airframe assembly, to include drilling, machining, and bonding
- Aircraft weight and balance
- Creation of new manufacturing processes and process improvements
Learning about composites
- Assisting with composite lay-ups and gaining experience with curing, trimming and bonding
- Learning what is needed to perform accurate drilling, fitting and finalizing composite surfaces for finish work
- Assisting with paint and vinyl wrap preparation
Tasks outside of airframe manufacturing
- Inventory management
- Tool maintenance
- Maintaining a clean and safe work environment
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma
- Ability to read, write and speak fluent english and communicate technical issues
- 2+ years’ experience in aviation, engineering, or related field OR 1 year experience + 1 year of relevant apprenticeship or trade school such as A&P training
- Experience with secondary bonding of composite and metallic structures utilizing adhesive systems such as epoxies, acrylics and cyanoacrylates
- Proficiency with basic machine tools including, but not limited to, bandsaw, drill press, chop and table saws, grinding, manual lathe, 3-axis mill and Dremel rotary tool
- Experience drilling and fastening metallic and composite structures
- Proficiency with measurement equipment such as scales, rules, calipers, micrometers
- Experience with sourcing, ordering, and inventory management of tools, supplies and consumables
- Strong attention to detail and pride in quality craftsmanship
- Able to read and interpret mechanical drawings
- Willingness to learn in a fast-moving work culture with a lot of uncertainty
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- US Citizenship/Permanent Resident Status
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
- Composite structural repair experience
- Composite design manufacturing and repair training / certifications
- Experience with CAD or other 2D/3D design tools
- CNC machine experience
- 3D printing experience
- R/C aircraft design, build and test experience
- FAA A&P Certificate
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- FAA Private Pilot Certificate
Company Values
Framework for our Values:
- People
- Excellence
- Accountability
- Knowledge
People: We value relationships with our colleagues and customers while embracing and upholding the
worth of every individual
- Trust - we push down responsibility in decision making to the lowest level that makes sense, while maintaining accountability
- Respect - we always maintain respect for ourselves and others
- Communication - we encourage open communication and respect for all perspectives
- Enjoyment - together, we create an environment that is fun and enjoyable
Excellence: We have a mindset of excellence at all times
- Pursuit of Excellence - we are passionate about our work and strive for superior outcomes at all times
- Incremental Approach to Success - We agree that bringing our best each day is important and that incremental improvement matters
- Willingness to listen and learn - we believe success requires remaining humble, having an open mind, and listening to constructive input
- Coaching - being a great teammate includes a willingness to be coached and taking the time to help others achieve excellence
- Measuring Success - we measure our success not only by how much money we make but also by the satisfaction of our workforce and the value of the solutions we bring to the world
Accountability: We believe the foundation of trust is accountability
- Collaboration - we recognize that our success depends on how well we work together
- Personal Responsibility - we believe in holding ourselves accountable, starting with self-accountability, and including accountability to co-workers/teammates, and ultimately to our customers and our shareholders
- Consistency - our happiness, productivity and ultimate success all require consistency from subordinates and managers alike
- Professionalism - we believe that our attitude and approach to our work and how we handle ourselves are crucial and will be recognized by our peers and our customers
- Courage - we do what is right and are not tempted to create shortcuts, avoid hard work, or do the wrong thing because it is easy or expeditious
- Merit - hard work is recognized and rewarded
Knowledge: We believe that innovation and success depend on gaining, documenting and sharing
knowledge
- Knowledge Gain - we remain inquisitive and seek data and information to gain and build knowledge
- Knowledge Sharing - we believe in the open sharing of information rather than having it exist in silos`
- Knowledge Documentation - we believe that insights gained during the process of research and development and from feedback from customers and other stakeholders must be documented so that others may understand and build upon those insights
- Customer Needs - we can only provide a superior solution if we truly understand the needs and requirements of our customers
Compensation
Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000 annually DOE
What We Offer
At PteroDynamics, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of aerial technology
through creativity and innovation. The company offers a comprehensive compensation package, which includes
a competitive salary, stock options, company-sponsored medical insurance, dental, vision, term life insurance
with an AD&D rider, 401(k) plan with up to 3% matching by the company, long-term disability, paid time off, paid
holidays, paid sick time, and a collaborative inclusive working environment in an exciting, growing startup
company.
Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the
employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions
and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or
assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible
modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the
incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements
may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or
others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This
document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
PteroDynamics is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as
applicable. If you're ready to join us in reshaping the future of UAVs, we encourage you to apply for this position
and bring your unique technical brilliance to our team.
How to Apply
Submit resume to careers@pterodynamics.com
