Aircraft Electrician

Location: Fareham
Rate: £23.88 PAYE / £31.85 Umbrella
Contract: 3 months initially, with potential extension
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Overtime: Available, with weekends by discussion
Employment Type: Full-time, site-based

The Role

We are currently recruiting for a UAS Avionics Production Technician to join a specialist production team based in Fareham.

This is a hands-on role working on the electrical and avionics systems of unmanned aircraft, payloads and associated ground support equipment. You will be involved in assembly, installation, integration, testing, fault-finding and repair, supporting equipment through to pre-delivery.

This role would suit an experienced Aircraft Electrician, Avionics Technician or Electrical/Avionics Engineer with strong practical experience in wiring, electrical systems, testing and fault diagnosis.

What will you be doing?

• Assemble, install and integrate avionics and electrical systems, sensors, payloads, LRUs and wiring harnesses.
• Manufacture and terminate cables, including crimping, connector assembly, continuity and insulation testing.
• Carry out inspections, functional testing, fault diagnosis, repair and replacement of electrical and electronic components.
• Configure and test flight controllers, autopilots, navigation equipment, telemetry and command-and-control systems.
• Interpret wiring diagrams, schematics, engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Use test equipment including digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies and specialist diagnostic equipment.
• Load approved firmware/software and verify system operation following updates.
• Analyse flight and ground-test data to identify faults and performance issues.
• Support payload integration, aircraft rigging and pre-delivery checks.
• Maintain accurate build, inspection, test, maintenance, defect and configuration records.
• Maintain strong electrical safety, ESD, tool control and FOD prevention standards.
• Identify hazards and report defects, occurrences and safety concerns.
• Work closely with engineers, operators and other technicians to resolve technical issues.

What will you bring?

Essential Skills

• Level 3 qualification, apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience in Avionics, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
• Practical experience assembling, testing, fault-finding and repairing electrical/electronic systems.
• Strong experience with aircraft wiring, cable manufacture, crimping, connectors, continuity testing and soldering.
• Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, schematics and technical drawings.
• Experience using electrical/electronic test equipment and diagnostic tools.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety, ESD controls, tool control and FOD prevention.
• Good attention to detail and a methodical approach to fault-finding.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent using standard computer systems and electronic records.
• Eligibility to obtain and retain any required security clearance.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working with UAS/unmanned aircraft.
• Aircraft electrical or avionics maintenance experience.
• Experience with flight-control systems, autopilots, telemetry, RF systems or payload integration.
• Aerospace, aviation, defence, space, automotive or other safety-critical engineering experience.
• Knowledge of configuration control, human factors or quality management.
• HNC/HND in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Full UK driving licence.

Working Environment

The role is site-based in Fareham and may involve working in workshops, hangars, airfields and outdoor test environments.

You may be required to work early starts, late finishes or occasional weekends depending on production and delivery requirements. Appropriate PPE and training will be provided where required.