As a Technician III, Ground Support Equipment Maintenance, you will serve as a senior-level technician responsible for inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, modifying, and maintaining the Ground Support Equipment used to support Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems.
This position requires an experienced technician capable of independently diagnosing complex electrical, electronic, and mechanical discrepancies; interpreting technical data and engineering documentation; completing high-quality repairs; and providing technical guidance to other maintenance personnel.
The primary focus of this role is V-BAT Ground Support Equipment. When GSE workload permits, this technician may also assist with organizational-level maintenance, modifications, inspections, and operational checks on V-BAT aircraft.
What you'll do:
- Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on V-BAT Ground Support Equipment, support systems, test equipment, and related field support assets.
- Independently troubleshoot complex electrical, electronic, mechanical, and power-distribution discrepancies using technical data, wiring diagrams, schematics, diagnostic equipment, and sound maintenance practices.
- Inspect, repair, modify, and operationally test GSE to verify proper operation, safety, reliability, and mission readiness.
- Construct, repair, and inspect electrical wiring harnesses, connectors, cables, and electronic assemblies.
- Perform soldering, crimping, pinning, depinning, continuity checks, resistance checks, voltage checks, and other electrical diagnostic procedures.
- Use digital multimeters, power supplies, insulation testers, load-testing equipment, and other common electrical and mechanical test equipment.
- Diagnose equipment failures to the component or subassembly level and provide accurate recommendations for repair, replacement, or engineering disposition.
- Perform equipment modifications and configuration updates in accordance with approved technical instructions, service bulletins, engineering documentation, and company procedures.
- Complete detailed maintenance documentation in applicable systems, including work performed, troubleshooting actions, parts used, inspection results, labor hours, and final operational checks.
- Identify recurring equipment failures, adverse trends, and opportunities to improve GSE reliability, maintainability, and availability.
- Support root-cause investigations and communicate technical findings to Maintenance Leadership, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other adjacent organizations.
- Assist with the development, validation, and improvement of maintenance procedures, task instructions, inspection criteria, and future maintenance manuals.
- Review technical instructions for accuracy, clarity, safety, tooling requirements, and maintainability before field or depot implementation.
- Assist maintenance leadership with workload coordination, equipment prioritization, repair planning, and status reporting.
- Inspect completed work for compliance with approved technical data, workmanship standards, and company maintenance requirements.
- Maintain accountability and serviceability of assigned tools, test equipment, parts, and support equipment.
- Assist with organizational-level V-BAT aircraft maintenance, inspections, modifications, troubleshooting, and operational checks when GSE workload and maintenance priorities allow.
Required qualifications:
- Five or more years of relevant experience maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, or modifying aviation Ground Support Equipment, military support equipment, aerospace systems, industrial equipment, electronic systems, or similarly complex technical equipment.
- Hands-on experience repairing wiring harnesses, electrical connectors, cables, circuit assemblies, and associated components.
- Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including digital multimeters and other commonly used diagnostic tools.
- Experience performing soldering, crimping, connector repair, pin replacement, continuity testing, voltage testing, and resistance testing.
- Ability to plan and execute maintenance tasks with limited supervision
- Strong working knowledge of maintenance safety, tool control, FOD prevention, HAZMAT, configuration control, and technical-data compliance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic maintenance or work-order management systems.
- Ability to safely lift, move, position, and work around Ground Support Equipment and aircraft components in a maintenance environment.
- Ability to work extended hours, alternate shifts, weekends, or holidays when required to support operational priorities.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a United States security clearance.
- Valid U.S.-issued passport or the ability to obtain one before required international travel.
- Proven record of being a dependable and trustworthy teammate, maintaining high standards, taking ownership of assigned work, and treating others with professionalism and respect.
Preferred qualifications:
- Seven or more years of experience maintaining aviation Ground Support Equipment, military aerospace support equipment, unmanned aircraft support systems, or similarly complex equipment.
- Previous experience in a senior technician, lead technician, crew lead, shift lead, or technical-training role.
- Experience supporting equipment maintenance in a depot, flight-line, field-service, military, or high-tempo operational environment.
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate or equivalent military, industry, internal, or external technical certification.
- IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, or equivalent soldering and wire-harness certification.
- OSHA, HAZMAT, electrical-safety, lockout/tagout, or related industrial safety training.
Skills Required
- Five or more years of relevant experience maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, or modifying aviation Ground Support Equipment, military support equipment, aerospace systems, industrial equipment, or electronic systems
- Hands-on experience repairing wiring harnesses, electrical connectors, cables, circuit assemblies, and associated components
- Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including digital multimeters and other commonly used diagnostic tools
- Experience performing soldering, crimping, connector repair, pin replacement, continuity testing, voltage testing, and resistance testing
- Ability to plan and execute maintenance tasks with limited supervision
- Strong working knowledge of maintenance safety, tool control, FOD prevention, HAZMAT, configuration control, and technical-data compliance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic maintenance or work-order management systems
- Ability to safely lift, move, position, and work around Ground Support Equipment and aircraft components in a maintenance environment
- Ability to work extended hours, alternate shifts, weekends, or holidays when required
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
- Ability to obtain and maintain a United States security clearance
- Valid U.S.-issued passport or the ability to obtain one before required international travel
- Proven record of being dependable, trustworthy, maintaining high standards, taking ownership, and treating others professionally
- Seven or more years of experience maintaining aviation Ground Support Equipment or similar (preferred)
- Previous experience in a senior technician, lead technician, crew lead, shift lead, or technical-training role (preferred)
- Experience supporting equipment maintenance in depot, flight-line, field-service, military, or high-tempo environments (preferred)
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate or equivalent military/industry/internal certification (preferred)
- IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001, IPC-A-610 or equivalent soldering and wire-harness certification (preferred)
- OSHA, HAZMAT, electrical-safety, lockout/tagout, or related industrial safety training (preferred)
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.