Forward Deployed Drone Technician

About Us Swan delivers the future of defense and industry through scalable autonomous products. Swan is backed by leading defense VCs including a16z's American Dynamism fund. Role Overview We are seeking a hands-on Forward Deployed Drone Technician who thrives at the intersection of hardware and software — on the bench and in the field. This is a technician role focused on building, integrating, and provisioning our autonomous aerial systems, then deploying alongside our engineering team to keep them mission-ready during flight tests, demonstrations, and customer operations around the world. You will assemble and provision our pods and pod components, load and update firmware and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software in dynamic, high-stakes environments. You are equally comfortable with a torque driver and a Linux command line, adaptable under pressure, and willing to travel internationally — including to Ukraine — to put our systems directly into operators' hands. Key Responsibilities • Assemble, integrate, and provision Swan's pods and pod components — mechanical build-up, electronics and cable/harness installation, and end-to-end system checkouts. • Install, update, and troubleshoot firmware and software across our aerial systems; provision and configure units for test and deployment. • Provide hands-on hardware and software support at flight test, including running data collection on the DIVE and SOLO pods. • Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues in the field quickly and methodically under real-world conditions. • Travel domestically and internationally — including to Ukraine — to support testing, demonstrations, and customer integrations (see travel note below). • Track work, issues, and configuration in Jira; document build and test procedures and feed field insights back to engineering. • Maintain tooling, ground support equipment, and shipping/deployment readiness. Qualifications and Skills • 3–5 years of hands-on technician experience in hardware/software integration, electro-mechanical assembly, UAS/robotics, avionics, or a comparable build-and-test environment. • Demonstrated ability to build and integrate electro-mechanical assemblies — mechanical fastening, connectorization/wiring, and following assembly instructions and drawings. • Experience installing and updating firmware/software and provisioning/configuring hardware for field use. • Comfort with Linux and command-line tools for setup, provisioning, and troubleshooting.• Familiarity with SolidWorks (reading and interpreting CAD, basic modifications) and Jira for issue and work tracking. • Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to Ukraine, at a pace that may approach ~50% (averaging roughly two weeks per month) during peak periods. • Strong troubleshooting instincts and clear communication in fast-paced, customer-facing settings. • Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and able to work a hybrid schedule (1–2 days remote acceptable). • Must be a U.S. Citizen (this role requires access to export-controlled data). Preferred Qualifications • UAV/drone piloting experience, hobbyist or professional — more robust piloting skills are a strong bonus (FAA Part 107 a plus). • Experience supporting field or flight-test campaigns, or forward-deployed operations. • Familiarity with flight controllers/autopilots (PX4, ArduPilot) and ground control software. • Exposure to RF/datalinks, sensors and payloads, batteries/power systems, or launch/recovery and ground support equipment. • Soldering, harnessing, or basic composite/structural fabrication skills. • Background in defense or other regulated, high-reliability environments; active security clearance a plus. What We Offer Swan is a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative startup environment. We offer a top-notch benefits package, including: • Top-tier health, dental, vision, short-/long-term disability, and life insurance, with full employee coverage and partial coverage for dependents • Flexible/reasonable vacation and sick leave • 401(k) plans, FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits Compensation & Location Base Salary: $120,000 – $140,000. Actual compensation within this range depends on experience, skills, and qualifications. This role is also eligible for equity and Swan's full benefits package. Location: San Francisco, CA — Hybrid (1–2 days remote acceptable). A Note on Travel International travel, including to Ukraine, is required. Travel is expected to be intermittent rather than constant — some months may approach ~50% (roughly two weeks), so candidates must be comfortable with that pace for at least part of the year. Swan is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, uniform service, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. Swan considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.