Airborne Sensor/Payload Technician

Position Summary

Airborne Sensor/Payload Technician plays a key role in the Field Operations through inventory, logistics, and maintenance of systems to meet company and customer requirements. This position is relied on heavily as a LiDAR SME, as well as performing routine and unscheduled maintenance; Inventory and logistics; accomplishing system installation and deinstallation of airborne sensor systems and GPS instruments on airborne platforms.  This is a field-based position 30% of the time that will work from a maintenance facility when not accomplishing company or customer requirements in the field.  May occasionally require international travel in support of commercial power industries (no military theaters).   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Troubleshoot, repair, and service moderately complex imagery systems to determine related problems. Provide technical assistance in mechanical, electrical and inspection work.
• Perform moderately complex system modifications due to technical updates and/or a customer request, which require disassembly, modification, reassembly, and testing of mechanical and/or electrical system.
• Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
• Complete all required documentation in accordance with established company procedures and customer technical order requirements.
• Field support of routine installation, deinstallation, maintenance and troubleshooting of in-flight equipment
• Participate in the quality management system, by working to document processes and procedures, plus offering recommendations on improvement opportunities
• Follow & help improve best practices for troubleshooting of integrated systems.
• Operation of proprietary software to debug, tune, and test complex electromechanical systems.
• Work to deadlines to meet delivery dates for both internal and external customers.
• Interact with other departments to resolve problems and provide continuous improvement to reflect operational results and goals.
• Continually improve the companies process for system specification, configuration control and documentation.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• 5+ Years operating or maintaining airborne sensor platforms on fixed wing aircraft
• 5+ Years experience with Installation and maintenance of sensors (Ex. LiDAR, GPS and Specialized Camera Sensors.
• 5+ Years operating ground or airborne LiDAR systems
• Familiar with troubleshooting techniques and ability to read technical drawings, data sheets and schematics.
• Full knowledge and understanding of: structural, composite, mechanical and electrical systems and associated regulations; and related assembly/installation processes, tools, composites, templates, fixtures, testing and measuring devices as well as judgment to determine correct tool(s) and experience reading, interpreting, and explaining drawings, and maintenance manuals.
• Strong and professional customer relations skills.
• Ability to work within a Microsoft Office environment including knowledge of Windows, Excel, and Word.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work to company deadlines to meet customer delivery dates.
• Work in teams to continuously improve operations and processes.

DISIRED QUALIFICATION

• 10 Years working in Electric Utility environment
• Prior Airborne Payload Operator experience on fixed wing and rotary aircraft
• Have mastery in most core technologies and tools relating to lidar and orthoimagery data acquisition and processing.
• Associates or bachelor’s degree in electronics, aircraft systems, remote sensing, unmanned systems, mechanical technology or equivalent.
• Military/trade school equivalence and two or more years of progressive experience in aircraft systems/avionics/payloads.
• Additional related technical experience may be substituted in lieu of the formal education.
• 5+ yrs Experience with Riegl Systems 1560 series, VPX, 580 series, 780 series, 880 series
• Ability to work with Riegl software packages

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

This role is a field position. System installation, troubleshooting, repair, and removal is primarily accomplished in active flight line environmental conditions.  There are long periods of standing, sitting, and working in and around aircraft with all associated hazards that come with this environment.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be required during administration of certain tasks as well as being able to individually lift 70lbs.

Aethon is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.