Manufacturing Engineering Technician

Position Summary

Apium Swarm Robotics (ASR) is revolutionizing swarm autonomy software for air, surface, undersea, and ground vehicles operating across dual-use commercial and defense environments. Our systems are deployed on real platforms, tested in the field, and delivered to customers operating in complex, uncertain, and safety-critical conditions.

We do not build research prototypes or slideware. Our software is integrated into real vehicles, tested in the field, and delivered to customers who depend on operational reliability, speed of execution, and mission relevance. We prioritize performance over hype.

ASR systems represent the next phase in autonomy: collaborative swarming. These are not like pre-programmed drones for light shows. We are creating real-time cooperative management that lets one operator control dozens to hundreds of vehicles in real-time with the ease of controlling a single vehicle. As such, this role requires comfort with responsibility, ambiguity, and operational accountability.

The Engineering Technician supports the build, integration, test, and troubleshooting of Apium’s family of unmanned systems and equipment. Working across mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical disciplines alongside engineering and production, the technician assembles and validates mechanical and electronic assemblies, executes test procedures, diagnoses hardware faults, fabricates and maintains fixtures and test equipment, and supports prototyping and new-product introduction.

The role is hands-on and floor-facing, and is central to treating integration and test as a first-class production work center while the operation scales. You will work closely with the Manufacturing Engineer, design engineering, production, and quality teams, and will report directly to ASR’s Senior Engineering Manager, Manufacturing & Operations.

This role is based on-site at ASR’s San Diego, California facility. The hands-on nature of the work — assembly, test, troubleshooting, and fixture fabrication — requires full on-site presence and is not compatible with remote or hybrid arrangements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assemble, integrate, and rework mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical assemblies, harnesses, and sub-systems to drawings, work instructions, and applicable workmanship standards (IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001)
• Read and work from mechanical and electrical drawings, schematics, and assembly instructions, including GD&T and tolerance callouts
• Execute functional and acceptance test procedures across drone, GCS, and software; capture results and dispositions in the production tracking system
• Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical and electronic faults, including component-level electrical troubleshooting using DMMs, oscilloscopes, and power supplies
• Fabricate and maintain fixtures, jigs, and test stands; perform soldering and through-hole and surface-mount rework as needed per J-STD-001
• Support integration and test (I&T) as a dedicated work center — bring-up, flashing and provisioning, calibration, and end-of-line verification
• Document non-conformances and support MRB / disposition activity; contribute to root-cause and corrective-action investigations
• Maintain build records and traceability consistent with AS9100 and NDAA / Blue UAS component-provenance requirements
• Prototype and NPI support — build engineering units, validate work instructions, and feed producibility feedback to design and process engineering
• Operate and maintain shop, bench, and test equipment; keep the work area 5S-compliant and ESD-controlled
• Support continuous improvement of fixtures, test stands, and station layouts to reduce cycle time and improve first-pass yield

Required Qualifications

• Must be a US Person
• 5-7 years of experience in an aerospace or similar production environment
• Demonstrated ability to read and work from mechanical and electrical drawings, schematics, assembly drawings, and written work instructions; familiarity with GD&T
• Hands-on mechanical assembly and electronics troubleshooting using standard test and measurement equipment (calipers, DMM, oscilloscope, power supply)
• Proficiency with hand and power tools; soldering and rework capability, and familiarity with IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 acceptance criteria
• Comfort in a fast-moving production environment with disciplined documentation and traceability habits
• Comfort working independently with limited oversight
• Ability to remain calm and effective under operational pressure

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a defense, aerospace, or UAS/USV production environment operating under AS9100
• IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 certification (CIS/CIT a plus)
• Familiarity with unmanned systems: flight controllers, ESCs, RF/comms links, GNSS, batteries, ground-control hardware, and mechanical airframe/hull structures
• Fixture and tooling fabrication; exposure to additive manufacturing and 3D printing and post-processing