Flight Technician - Stratospheric Balloons

Near Space Labs is leading the next generation of Earth imaging. We design, build, and operate a fleet of proprietary, stratospheric balloons called Swiftys. Our Swiftys fly to the edge of space to deliver high quality, updated imagery of our planet.

Flight Operations is a fast-paced growing organization responsible for operating and launching our fleet of Swiftys throughout the U.S. to meet our customer imaging and data needs.

We are hiring for Flight Technicians to join our field teams to operate, maintain, and fly our fleet of Swiftys throughout the nation! This is an hourly, full-time position, requiring 100% travel with a rotating 7-day on/7-day off work schedule. The ideal candidate is solutions-oriented, well organized, an excellent communicator, a safe driver, with experience troubleshooting electromechanical hardware or is a new college graduate with the skills to learn. This role is great for you if you make communication a priority, enjoy working on teams and in dynamic environments, and have a love for the outdoors (as both a hiker and/or adventurer). 

Compensation & Benefits:

• $23-$26 per hour with ample opportunity for overtime at 1.5 and 2 times hourly base pay
• 7 day-on/7-day off work schedule 
• Travel to field Monday AM. Travel home Sunday PM.
• On average 70+ hours per work week; 12 hour shifts.
• 26 work weeks in the year
• 200 hours annual Paid Time Off 
• 80 hours sick leave 
• 401K Plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage 
• Opportunity for equity
• Training and development, as well as opportunities to grow within the organization

Your responsibilities will be:

• Job Duties:
• Support Mission Success: 
• Your role is integral to the success of our capture missions. By working closely with your Lead Flight Technician, 1-2 Flight Technicians, occasional contractors, and Mission Control, you will ensure that our Swiftys are launched, maintained, and recovered effectively, contributing to the overall success of our operations.
• As a Flight Technician, your role is vital to the success of our imaging missions. Your ability to maintain and operate our fleet of Swiftys ensures that we consistently deliver high-quality data to our customers, driving the success of our overall operations.
• Generate failure reports for malfunctions and abnormalities in the Swifty and associated equipment through our data tracking tool;
• Author and submission of daily technical reports of work performed;
• Strictly follow Near Space Labs operational and manufacturing procedures and processes;
• Collaborate Closely with your Lead Flight Technician: Work under the direction of your Lead Flight Technician to ensure successful mission execution, including shipping components, managing field inventory, providing quality control feedback, and participating in daily debriefs to summarize and plan field operations.
• Provide improvements to Near Space Labs operational procedures and processes; 
• Work closely with Mission Control and your Lead Flight Technician to ensure successful image capture missions;
• Communicate with members of the local community  during Swifty recovery; 
• Report Swifty and operations metrics from the field through technical reports; and
• Safely drive and maintain our fleet of road launch vehicles.

 

• Working Schedule:
• Work a Seven day ON/Seven day OFF schedule (Monday -Sunday) including most holidays;
• 100% Overnight Travel;
• Adhere to a rigid launch schedule to support flight campaigns including, but not limited to, overtime when needed;
• Ability to support working days of 12+ hours; and 
• Overtime eligible after 8 hours each working day and after 40 hours worked in the work week
• Ability to perform the above responsibilities in conjunction with the physical requirements listed below.

Location

• Positions are nationwide: candidates must live within 60-90 minute drive time of a major international airport such as ATL, BOS, DFW, JFK, LAS,  LAX, MIA, MCO, MSP, PHX, ORD, SEA, SFO, etc. 

Your Skills

• Primary Technical:
• 2+ years of working with electromechanical hardware or BS degree in a related field; 
• Experience troubleshooting systems to determine what equipment and/or components require action to repair/replace or improve; 
• Contain a UAS Part 107 Certification; 
• Experience repairing hardware;
• Oral and written communication skills to convey information at various stages of the execution, troubleshooting, or analysis process which may be ambiguous;
• Critical thinking to quickly act on issues that arise in the field and find creative solutions;
• Must be detailed, organized, and punctual; and
• Ability to operate and adapt to demanding fast-paced situations 

• Primary Administrative:
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
• Valid U.S. driver's license;
• Successfully pass a company issued background check; and
• Successfully pass a motor vehicle record check with a clean driving record for at least 5 years

 

• Physical Job Function Requirements: This role requires frequent physical activity, including lifting, carrying, and walking. You should be prepared to work in various outdoor environments, often for extended periods. Detailed requirements are listed below.
• Hike/walk between 0-5 miles with ~20 lbs of equipment per day - Constantly;
• Hike/walk between 5-12 miles with ~20 lbs of equipment per day - Infrequently;
• Lift up to 40 lbs from 30 min to 5 hrs per day - Frequently;
• Lift between 40-60 lbs up to 30 min per day - Frequently;
• Carry up to 30 lbs from 30 min to 5 hrs per day - Frequently; 
• Carry between 30-60 lbs up to 30 min per day - Frequently;
• Push or Pull between 130-150 lbs via a hand truck up to 30 min per day - Constantly;
• Push or Pull up to 50 lbs - Infrequently;
• Stand (at a time and total in shift) - Constantly;
• Walk (at a time and total in shift) - Constantly; 
• Climb ladder - Infrequently; 
• Climb tree - Occasionally;
• Crouch or Kneel - Occasionally; 
• Crawl - Infrequently; 
• Stoop - Occasionally; 
• Reach overhead - Occasionally;
• Reach below waist level - Frequently;
• Reach at desk/waist level - Frequently; 
• Simple grasp - Constantly; 
• Firm grasp - Frequently;
• Fine manipulation - Frequently
• Sitting for extended periods (to drive or perform work)  0-10 hours per day - Constantly; and
• Driving a heavy duty truck between 0-8 hours per day - Constantly
  
  
• Preferred Skills:
• Test engineering/technician and/or manufacturing/production experience;
• Experience in a field or hardware troubleshooting role;
• Experience in a startup environment;
• Land navigational skills; and
• Ability to drive a heavy duty truck with a 20 ft. trailer attached

 

What we offer:

• An exciting startup culture where you will have the opportunity to play a critical role in building and scaling a one-of-a-kind technology and organization.
• You will be part of an enthusiastic, international, and motivated team of professionals who are committed to building unique technologies, being rigorous, and finding novel solutions to interesting problems.
• A diverse and inclusive workplace where we welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 
• A commitment that you will never be bored. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, marginalized genders and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Near Space Labs we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.