****Statement to Applicants: This position is unable to accommodate sponsorship****
Central UAS Technologies, a vertical of Central Life Sciences, is dedicated to the creation of uncrewed aerial systems which have a direct positive impact on public health, quality of life and innovative technologies for the agricultural industry. Your meaningful work will help reduce the spread of vector-borne disease, as well as limit the amount of chemicals or emissions released into the environment (through rural and urban municipalities, agricultural applications, horticultural applications, and more!). You’ll accomplish this work from our assembly shop in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Our parent company is Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT and CENTA); we offer an amazing educational assistance program in addition to great medical, dental, vision, which you will be eligible the first of the month following 30 days, plus free life and free disability insurance. Our 401k has a 3% match, and you are eligible day one. We also offer pet insurance and other voluntary benefits. Please see our website at www.central.com for additional company information.
The UAS Engineer – Production Line is the final technical authority on system configuration, integration, and readiness for flight. They perform firmware loading, system level verification, and configuration validation, and hold release to flight authority for production aircraft. This role is the key gatekeeper between production and flight test, ensuring that only conforming, airworthy systems progress.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Firmware, Configuration, and Calibration
- Oversee the loading of firmware and configuration files onto flight controllers and associated avionics
- Perform calibrations and sanity checks to ensure sensors, power systems, and control surfaces respond as intended
- Validate new configurations before broad deployment across the line when design or firmware changes are introduced
System-Level Verification and Functional Testing
- Execute final system level checks on fully assembled UAS platforms, verifying that all subsystems (power, propulsion, avionics, sensors, communications) perform according to specification
- Use structured checklists and test procedures to confirm correct wiring, signal integrity, parameter settings, and failsafe behavior. Document any non-conformances and disposition before release
Release-to-Flight Authority and Non-Conformance Control
- The UAS Engineer has formal authority to approve or reject aircraft for release to Flight Test based on system verification results
- Document non conformances, determine appropriate rework or scrap, and ensure that corrective actions are completed before retest. Their decisions protect safety, reliability, and customer confidence, and they escalate only to Manufacturing Engineering or Head of Manufacturing when systemic issues are identified.
Support to Technicians and Production Stations
- Serve as a technical escalation point for UAS Technicians I and II when troubleshooting complex integration or power issues
- Assist in root cause analysis, recommend rework steps, and help refine station level SOPs based on recurring issues
- Provide feedback into upstream processes and design to prevent defects from reaching final verification
Documentation and Configuration Management Alignment
- Work closely with Quality and Documentation teams to ensure that test procedures, configuration baselines, and acceptance criteria are properly documented and controlled
- Help define what “flight ready” means for each platform and revision, and ensure that released aircraft are traceable to their configuration and test results
- Participate in review and approval to ensure test coverage remains complete
- Familiarity with UAS flight controllers, avionics, and system configuration
- Experience with ArduPilot firmware and GCS software such as Mission Planner or QGroundControl
- Ability to perform system-level verification, calibration checks, and configuration validation
- Understanding of aircraft assembly, integration troubleshooting, and non-conformance handling
- Ability to work from controlled documentation, checklists, and configuration baselines
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with technicians, manufacturing, and quality teams
- CAD or solid-modeling experience preferred
- RC aircraft, drone, or aircraft assembly/maintenance experience preferred
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
- BS/BA in UAS, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 2+ years of related experience in UAS assembly, integration, testing, or production support
- Experience supporting system validation, flight readiness, or production release activities
- Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and test procedures
- Hands-on experience with troubleshooting, calibration, and integration of electromechanical systems
- Familiarity with electrical assembly practices (soldering, wiring, harnessing) in a production or prototype environment
- Valid driver’s license required
- Based in a UAS assembly and production environment in Daytona Beach, Florida
- Frequent use of computers, test equipment, hand tools, and soldering tools
- Work may involve standing, sitting, walking, climbing, and movement between production and test areas
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs on a frequent basis
- Occasional travel may be required for test support, issue resolution, or field validation
POSITION INFORMATION
- This position pays $23 - $25 per hour depending on experience
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Free Life and Disability Insurance
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
- Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to thousands of free online courses
- Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
- Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
- Referral Program with cash bonus
- Access to on-demand pay
- Paid parental leave
****Statement to Applicants: This position is unable to accommodate sponsorship****
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit
www.central.com to learn more.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.