Skip to main content

Seneca

UAS Flight Test Technician

Sausalito, California, United States

Location
Sausalito, California, United States
Work
On-site
Employment
Full-time
Level
Not stated
Function
Trades & logistics
Pay
$80K – $130K a year
Posted
11 months ago

Pay and the market here

The top of this role’s range, $130K a year, is 52% above the median of $85K for trades jobs in California (middle half $62K – $118K, 1,266 jobs that state pay).

1,402 trades jobs open in California: 3% remote, 419 posted in the last 30 days.

Wondering how well you fit this one? OptiTalent Career checks each requirement against your own record, privately. About OptiTalent Career →

About the role

The Job

As a UAS Flight Test Technician, you’ll support Seneca’s flight test program by preparing aircraft, managing ground equipment, running checklists, and keeping test sites safe, functional, and ready for operations. Your mission is to ensure every flight test is executed smoothly and that the team captures reliable, high-quality data.

This is a ground operations role working closely with test pilots. You’ll apply strong mechanical intuition, field judgment, and disciplined procedures to keep hardware, batteries, tools, and test environments in top working condition. You’ll have full stop authority during tests and clear, structured support from experienced engineers.

What You'll Do

  • Deliver reliable aircraft readiness: Run pre/post-flight checks, assemble vehicles to required test configurations, spot mechanical/electrical issues early, and perform repairs or retrofits.
  • Maintain batteries and ground equipment: Track health and usage, charge and organize equipment, and support basic repairs.
  • Ensure safe, compliant test operations: during flights, maintain observation, monitor weather, enforce limits, and call aborts when needed.
  • Capture and report accurate test data: Operate cameras/instrumentation, upload footage and logs daily, and post-flight test reporting.
  • Perform routine fire-safety operations: Conduct controlled fire-ignition tests, operate fire extinguishers, and follow safety protocols. On-the-job training will be provided for this.
  • Keep the test site functional and hazard-free: Maintain cleanliness and organization, manage consumables, and surface facility needs promptly. Manage test site vendor relationships as needed.

What You Bring

  • Strong mechanical aptitude: confident with power tools, hand tools, fasteners, and mechanical inspection. Understand how physical systems fail and how to prevent it.
  • Experience in hands-on environments such as technician work, fabrication, field operations, maintenance and repair.
  • Safety-first mindset with rigor around checklists, logs, and procedures.
  • Technical literacy: Two-way radios, cameras, web-based software.
  • Physically able to lift 50 lbs, work outdoors in variable conditions, and travel to regional test sites (incl. early mornings/weekends).

Nice to have

  • Electrical basics: continuity checks, connectors, crimping, soldering
  • First-aid certifications
  • Fire-safety training

Beyond technical skills, we value

  • Ownership mentality — identify issues, follows through, closes the loop
  • Balance of velocity and quality — move fast, but with rigor and attention to detail
  • Efficiency & follow-through — keeps operations unblocked and organized
  • Iterative problem solving — breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine
  • Kindness and humility — thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teams that value open communication

What We Offer

  • Competitive Salary – Reflective of your skills and experience
  • Equity Compensation – Be a part-owner in the company's future
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage – Including medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses
  • Unlimited PTO – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays

About Us

Seneca is building cutting-edge drone and sensor technology for wildfire suppression, aiming to eliminate wildfire risk across 500 million acres of high-risk U.S. + allied territory. Backed by top-tier investors, including Convective Capital, Caffeinated Capital, First Round Capital, Slow Ventures, Nextview Ventures, Transition Capital, Bullpen Capital, Stepstone Group, Roar Capital, Offline Ventures, and leaders from Palantir, Google, Meta, and many others. Founded by Stu Landesberg (former Founder & CEO of Grove Collaborative — IPO in 2022 at $1.7B) and fire industry experts, Seneca is a mission-driven company dedicated to climate resilience and fire prevention.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.

Source

Posted by Seneca on their own hiring page, jobs.ashbyhq.com. OptiTalent shows it as published, read 07 Nov 2026 12:04 UTC; the original is the reference.

View the original ad ↗

More at Seneca

  • Seneca · Sausalito, California, United States

    On-siteFull-timeMid level$71K – $130K a yearTrades & logistics

    You'll be the person who turns a kit of parts into a flight-ready aircraft. You'll assemble and seal the enclosures, torque every fastener to spec, build and route the harnesses, then power it up, test it, and sign off that it's ready for one of the toughest jobs there is. When…

  • Seneca · Sausalito, California, United States

    On-siteFull-timeLead / staff$125K – $200K a yearOperations

    Seneca is seeking a Business Operations Lead to run strategic finance, accounting, contracts, insurance, compliance, purchasing, payroll and benefits, and the office. Right now those things are spread across an outside accounting firm, a payroll vendor, outside counsel, a…

  • Seneca · Sausalito, California, United States

    On-siteFull-timeEntry level$71K – $100K a yearMarketing

    We are seeking an Operations & Marketing Associate to amplify our online presence, support customer deployments, and streamline internal operations. You will work cross-functionally across teams, and have the opportunity to interface directly with customers and public safety…

  • Software Leader

    2 months ago

    Seneca · Sausalito, California, United States

    On-siteFull-time$180K – $280K a yearEngineering

    You will drive the development and execution of Seneca's software systems across autonomy, controls, perception, onboard intelligence, and cloud infrastructure. Reporting to executive leadership, you will partner closely with the leaders of Hardware, Software, Electrical, Test…