Engineering Technician

Engineering Technician

This Engineering Technician role supports both prototype development and production activities for cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) electronic systems. You will work hands-on with circuit boards and system-level electronics, performing testing, assembly, and troubleshooting in both engineering and manufacturing environments. The position is ideal for someone with experience in aerospace, defense, or military electronics who wants to grow in the UAV and advanced drone technology space and contribute directly to products that support real-world defense missions.

Responsibilities:

• Test, troubleshoot, and validate electronic assemblies and embedded systems used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Build and assemble prototype electronics, including circuit boards, wire harnesses, cable harnesses, and system-level assemblies.
• Perform quality inspections and functional testing of electronic components and assemblies to ensure they meet specifications and applicable standards.
• Support engineering development activities by assembling, configuring, and testing prototype hardware.
• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers and other team members to identify, diagnose, and resolve issues discovered during testing and production.
• Utilize standard electronic test equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, power supplies, and soldering equipment, to perform bench testing and diagnostics.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, schematics, and work instructions to execute assembly, wiring, and test procedures accurately.
• Perform electronic assembly and repair work, including soldering, rework, and electro-mechanical assembly, in accordance with IPC standards.
• Conduct system integration, functional testing, validation, and verification activities for circuit boards, PCBAs, and avionics-related electronics.
• Assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions for test failures and nonconformances.
• Follow established test procedures, inspection criteria, and work instructions to ensure consistent, high-quality workmanship.
• Document test results, assembly procedures, configurations, and technical findings in a clear and traceable manner.
• Support both engineering prototype builds and production manufacturing efforts, adapting to changing priorities and schedules as needed.
• Use hand tools and diagnostic equipment to perform wiring, harness assembly, calibration, and electro-mechanical integration tasks.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area while adhering to all applicable policies and procedures.

Essential Skills:

• Hands-on experience in electronics testing, assembly, and troubleshooting.
• Experience working with circuit boards, PCB/PCBA, and system-level electronics.
• Experience in aerospace, defense industry, or military electronics, including technical military occupational specialties.
• Working knowledge and understanding of IPC standards, including J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, and IPC-A-620.
• Proficiency with standard electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, power supplies, and other electronic diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to perform soldering and electronic assembly to industry standards.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, schematics, and work instructions.
• Experience with electronic assembly, electronics repair, and electro-mechanical integration.
• Familiarity with embedded systems, avionics, flight control systems, and system integration concepts.
• Experience with functional testing, validation, verification, and bench testing of electronic systems.
• Ability to perform root cause analysis and support corrective actions for electronic test issues.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality workmanship.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team in engineering and production environments.
• Eligibility as a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR regulations and ability to access ITAR and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Comfort working with wiring, cable and wire harness assembly, harness assembly, calibration, and use of hand tools.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• IPC J-STD-001 certification for soldering.
• IPC-A-610 certification for acceptability of electronic assemblies.
• IPC-A-620 certification for cable and wire harness assemblies.
• Experience with UAV or embedded systems electronics.
• Experience with avionics or flight control systems.
• Familiarity with military specifications and standards.
• Experience following detailed test procedures, inspection criteria, and work instructions.
• Ability to document test results, assembly steps, and technical findings clearly and accurately.
• Interest in advanced drone technology and desire to contribute to real-world defense mission support.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with electro-mechanical assemblies and fixtures.

Work Environment:

This role is fully onsite in Madison, Alabama, with a typical schedule of approximately 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You will work in both engineering development labs and production manufacturing areas, handling advanced UAV and drone-related electronic systems. The environment involves regular use of electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, power supplies, and soldering stations, as well as hand tools for wiring and harness assembly. You will collaborate closely with experienced engineering and production teams, gaining exposure to cutting-edge aerospace technologies and real-world defense applications. The setting emphasizes safety, precision, and adherence to IPC standards and documented procedures, providing a structured yet dynamic workspace where you can develop your skills and make a direct impact on high-performance UAV products.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, AL.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $32.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Madison,AL.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

About Actalent:

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.