Lead, UAV Integration Technician

About the role

Make it rain. Make Snow. Make Earth Habitable. Rainmaker builds and deploys audacious technologies that work with nature to create an abundant, habitable planet. We are modernizing proven cloud-seeding science with weather-resistant UAS, radar and satellite observations, numerical weather prediction, novel sensing and validation systems, and sustainable seeding technologies. We are building an integrated system to make more freshwater available to farms, ecosystems, and communities. Our ambition is bold, but we pursue it with humility. We take on difficult problems in the real world with technical rigor, grit, integrity, and an openness to learning and course-correcting. We are hiring individuals with evidence of exceptional ability. If you want to build systems that endure, restore, and provide, and help deliver the future we were promised, we want to hear from you. Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity and inclement weather problems. We develop and incorporate radar validation, weather-resistant UAS, numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution. The Production team at Rainmaker builds our UAS platforms, assembles dispersion payloads, and integrates in-situ/remote sensing systems into every vehicle we deliver. As a Lead, UAV Integration Technician, you'll be on the front line of keeping our fleet mission-ready — executing maintenance work instructions with speed and precision to get aircraft back in the field. If you thrive in a hands-on, fast-paced environment where your work has a direct, immediate impact on mission success, this is a great opportunity. What You'll Do - - Coordinate integration efforts. Assign and sequence build tasks across the integration team to hit production schedules and delivery deadlines. - Own the build process. Oversee assembly of UAVs from individual components into complete systems, ensuring each aircraft meets quality and workmanship standards before leaving production. - Draft and maintain build procedures. Write, standardize, and update assembly work instructions, wiring diagrams, and integration checklists to ensure consistency and repeatability across builds. - Lead electrical integration quality. Set standards for wiring harness construction, electrical assemblies, and connection troubleshooting; review and sign off on completed work. - Communicate field and build gaps. Surface recurring issues, design flaws, or integration challenges seen during assembly or field testing to engineering and program stakeholders. - Train and develop technicians. Onboard new integration techs, train the team on new components, configurations, or procedures, and build cross-training across mechanical/electrical skill sets. - Drive quality inspection standards. Establish and enforce incoming parts inspection and final assembly QA processes to catch issues before aircraft reach the field. - Improve production processes. Identify inefficiencies in the build process, lead process improvement initiatives, and capture lessons learned from each build to improve future ones as production scales. - Manage parts and tooling. Coordinate with supply chain on parts availability and lead times; oversee tooling, 3D printers, machining equipment, and shop resources used in integration. - Escalate and resolve blockers. Act as the point of escalation for technical, resourcing, or scheduling issues the integration team can't resolve independently. - Enforce safety standards. Ensure all integration and field activities follow shop safety procedures and best practices for tool and equipment use. Required Qualifications - - 7+ years of hands-on experience in UAV, aerospace, robotics, or similar mechanical/electrical maintenance environments - 3+ years experience leading a technician team - Strong experience with mechanical assembly and electrical integration - Ability to read, interpret, and create technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics - Proven experience troubleshooting complex mechanical and electrical systems - Experience writing or improving work instructions, build procedures, or assembly documentation - Willingness to travel and support field operations and flight testing - Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship, with the judgment to enforce quality standards across a team - Ability to prioritize and coordinate work across multiple technicians in a fast-paced, evolving environment - Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate field/build issues into clear feedback for engineering and leadership - Comfortable taking ownership of team output and driving accountability - Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs regularly - Familiarity with basic shop safety procedures, with experience enforcing safety standards for a team Preferred Qualifications - - Familiarity with the use of 3D printers - Familiarity with the use of torque drivers, power supplies, multimeters, and other diagnostic/hand tools - Experience machining on 3 and 5 axis machines - Experience with root cause analysis or corrective action processes - Familiarity with production tracking, quality management, or maintenance documentation systems - Experience scaling or standardizing processes in an early-stage or high-growth manufacturing environment Benefits - - Significant stock options with high potential upside as an early-stage company - 401(k) with employer matching - Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance) - Relocation assistance provided (if applicable) - Unlimited PTO  - Paid parental leave for both parents - Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette - Free EV charging at the HQ