Avionics Technician

Avionics Technician

PAY: $64.56/hr

Location: Lake Charles, LA

Job Description

This role supports a major airborne command and control platform by performing advanced avionics testing, troubleshooting, and modifications on aircraft in both flight line and hangar environments. You will ensure aircraft systems are fully mission-ready through detailed pre- and post-flight checks, complex electrical and electronic maintenance, and the installation and verification of new avionics modifications. The position offers opportunities to work on highly specialized systems, using sophisticated test equipment and technical data to solve complex problems and maintain critical aircraft readiness.

Responsibilities

• Perform flight line pre- and post-flight systems checks to verify aircraft readiness, including pre-flight checks, gear swings, flight control checks, and post-flight checks.
• Conduct flight readiness checks and rigging of aircraft flight controls to ensure proper operation and alignment.
• Focus primarily on flight line activities while remaining able to transition into the hangar to support maintenance and modification work as needed.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to solve complex avionics and electrical problems that cannot be resolved solely by referencing manufacturers' manuals or standard documentation.
• Determine the location and density of circuitry, evaluate electromagnetic radiation issues, isolate malfunctions, and incorporate engineering changes into existing systems.
• Install, test, troubleshoot, and repair aircraft avionics and electrical system components in accordance with testing, engineering, maintenance, and installation directives.
• Perform aircraft maintenance, repair, modification, installation, and testing tasks across avionics and related systems.
• Determine the proper sequence for installing, removing, maintaining, repairing, or fabricating critical aircraft components and electrical, electronic, mechanical, or instrumentation systems.
• Perform testing, rework, and repair activities in various fields of specialization related to aircraft systems.
• Apply shop theory and practical skills to complete assigned tasks while working from incomplete engineering data, electronic data, blueprints, sketches, engineering drawings, technical orders, and written or verbal instructions.
• Work from blueprints, engineering orders, schematics, repair manuals, and other technical documents on aircraft electrical, electronic, mechanical, plumbing, hydraulics, power plant, structural, or instrumentation systems.
• Construct, troubleshoot, calibrate, adjust, test, and maintain various types of complex aircraft equipment, components, devices, and systems.
• Perform electrical modifications including wiring, routing, installation of cannon plugs, terminating, ring-outs, and electrical checks.
• Route and install wire harnesses, fiber optic cabling, and inner rack cabling, including removing existing wiring runs and ensuring proper routing, clamping, termination, and ring-outs.
• Perform true modification work for electrical and avionics systems, ensuring compliance with engineering and quality requirements.
• Use complex test instruments such as high-frequency pulse generators, frequency synthesizers, distortion analyzers, and computer-controlled test equipment to diagnose and validate system performance.
• Notify lead personnel or supervision of any malfunctions, defects, or damage to equipment, materials, or products in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work in related fields incidental to and in connection with the completion of assigned aircraft maintenance and modification tasks.
• Recommend and implement continuous improvement activities in production methods, equipment performance, and team effectiveness.
• Use manual hand tools such as crimpers, strippers, wire cutters, and heat shrink equipment safely and effectively during installation and repair work.
• Follow all safety procedures, including the proper use of respirators and other safety gear, and comply with grooming requirements necessary to achieve a proper respirator fit.
• Support the development and execution of new modifications and testing activities on aircraft systems as required.
• Assist with implementing and, where applicable, helping to develop new test procedures to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
• Work flexible schedules on 1st or 2nd shift, including extended hours and multiple consecutive days per week, to meet program needs and aircraft availability.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) with 10 years of aircraft avionics experience.
• Significant experience troubleshooting avionics and electrical systems, including electrical modification work.
• Knowledge and understanding of performing flight line pre- and post-flight systems checks, including pre-flight checks, gear swings, flight control checks, and post-flight checks.
• Hands-on experience with rigging, crimping, terminations, and routing of aircraft wiring, clearly demonstrated through prior work.
• Ability to install, test, troubleshoot, and repair aircraft avionics and electrical system components in accordance with technical directives.
• Proficiency in performing aircraft maintenance, repair, modification, installation, and testing tasks on complex systems.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from blueprints, engineering orders, schematics, repair manuals, technical orders, and other technical documents.
• Capability to apply advanced technical knowledge to solve complex problems involving circuitry, electromagnetic issues, and signal flow.
• Experience performing circuit analysis, calculating waveforms, and tracing relationships in signal flow.
• Proficiency using complex test instruments such as high-frequency pulse generators, frequency synthesizers, distortion analyzers, and complex computer control equipment.
• Ability to construct, troubleshoot, calibrate, adjust, test, and maintain complex aircraft equipment and systems.
• Comfort working in an approved environment during specified work hours and under a variety of physical conditions.
• Ability and willingness to wear a respirator and other safety gear as required for the role.
• Ability to use a variety of manual hand tools, including crimpers, strippers, wire cutters, and heat shrink tools.
• Flexibility to work 1st or 2nd shift on varying schedules (MondayThursday or ThursdaySunday) and to support 67 day workweeks and 1012 hour days as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with E-6B aircraft or similar airborne command and control platforms.
• Experience performing new avionics and electrical modifications and associated testing.
• Experience implementing and/or developing new test procedures for aircraft systems.
• Prior experience with flight line operations, including flight readiness checks and flight control rigging.
• Demonstrated experience with electrical modifications, including routing, installing, and terminating wiring and harnesses.
• Hands-on experience with cannon plugs, including installation, termination, and inspection.
• Experience with wire routing, fiber optic cabling, inner rack cabling, and removal and replacement of existing wiring runs.
• Familiarity with clamping, termination, and ring-out processes for electrical and avionics systems.
• Ability to recommend and support continuous improvement initiatives in production methods and equipment performance.
• Comfort working from incomplete engineering or electronic data and using independent judgment to complete tasks.
• Willingness to travel or relocate may be supported for individuals residing beyond a specified distance from the work location, subject to program guidelines.

Why Work Here?

You will contribute directly to a high-visibility government program that plays a critical role in national readiness and strategic communications. The work offers the opportunity to deepen your expertise on complex airborne command and control systems while collaborating with skilled technicians and engineers in a team-focused environment. The schedule structure provides extended weekends on alternating shifts, and overtime opportunities can significantly enhance overall earnings. The organization emphasizes continuous improvement, professional craftsmanship, and the use of advanced tools and technologies, giving you a platform to grow your technical capabilities and career.

Work Environment

Work takes place primarily in a non-climate-controlled hangar and on the flight line, where conditions can vary with the weather and season. The environment is hands-on and fast-paced, with a focus on aircraft readiness and safety. Technicians may move between flight line and hangar settings depending on operational needs. Dress is relaxed and practical, with work pants or shorts and T-shirts acceptable, and tennis shoes permitted, provided safety requirements are met. The role requires the use of respirators and other safety gear, along with compliance with grooming standards necessary for proper respirator use. You will regularly use manual hand tools such as crimpers, strippers, wire cutters, and heat shrink guns, as well as sophisticated electronic test equipment including high-frequency pulse generators, frequency synthesizers, distortion analyzers, and computer-controlled test systems. Schedules typically follow MondayThursday or ThursdaySunday rotations on either 1st shift (approximately 6:00 a.m. to 4:42 p.m.) or 2nd shift (approximately 4:00 p.m. to 2:42 a.m.), with frequent overtime and the potential to work 6 or 7 days per week and 1012 hour days to meet program demands