Job Title: UAV Assembly & Maintenance Team Lead

Work Location: In person (Cambridge, ON)

POSITION SUMMARY

The UAV Assembly & Maintenance Team Lead is responsible for providing shop-floor leadership while overseeing the assembly, inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, and airworthiness of unmanned aerial vehicles produced by Forward Robotics Inc. In addition to performing hands-on technical work, this role serves as the lead on the floor—guiding day-to-day operations, onboarding and training new technicians, and ensuring work meets high standards of safety, quality, and Transport Canada regulatory compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Lead day-to-day shop floor activities, coordinate task assignments, and prioritize work to meet assembly and maintenance schedules.
- Onboard, train, and mentor new assembly and maintenance technicians on technical procedures, quality standards, and safety practices.
- Maintain a presence on the shop floor to provide real-time guidance, answer technical questions, and resolve workflow bottlenecks.
- Enforce adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and FOD (Foreign Object Debris/Damage) prevention practices.
- Foster a collaborative, quality-focused, and safety-first environment across the workshop.

Assembly, Maintenance & Technical Operations

- Assemble, inspect, and maintain UAV platforms in accordance with work instructions, engineering specifications, and quality standards.
- Carry out routine and preventive maintenance on airframes, propulsion systems, batteries, and payloads.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, electronic, and structural faults using systematic diagnostic techniques.
- Inspect, repair, and replace worn or damaged components.
- Perform firmware updates, software configuration, and system calibrations on drones and ground control systems.
- Conduct bench testing, ground testing, and post-assembly/post-repair functional checks prior to flight operations.




- Assess repaired UAVs to determine return-to-service eligibility and document findings accordingly.

Documentation, Process Improvement & Support

- Maintain accurate and complete maintenance logs, assembly records, inspection check-sheets, and repair reports.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes following equipment failures or quality anomalies.
- Support the development, review, and continuous improvement of assembly guides, maintenance SOPs, and training documentation.
- Support integration and testing of payloads and mission-specific equipment in collaboration with engineering and flight teams.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience maintaining, repairing, and assembling UAVs or other high-complexity/high-reliability products (e.g., industrial or medical robotics).
- Demonstrated experience in a team lead, supervisory, or senior technical capacity (leading floor workflows, mentoring technicians, or training staff).
- Proven ability to diagnose and repair complex mechanical, electrical, and structural components.
- Solid understanding of UAV electrical systems, wiring, and battery management systems.
- Robust diagnostic aptitude and ability to read technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and engineering schematics.
- Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and verbal/written communication skills.
- Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field sites as required.

Preferred / Assets

- Formal education in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electronics, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.




- Experience developing training materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or onboarding plans.
- Experience with payload sensors and specialized electronics.
- Soldering and PCB-level repair skills.
- Familiarity with acceptance testing procedures and quality assurance frameworks.
- First Aid / CPR certification.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

- Proven shop-floor leadership, delegation, and team coaching skills
- Ability to train, onboard, and technical-mentor junior team members
- Meticulous mechanical assembly, repair, and return-to-service expertise
- Systematic troubleshooting and root cause analysis mindset
- Strong attention to detail and organized work management
- FOD prevention and workshop safety enforcement
- Clear, effective written and verbal communication
- Collaborative, adaptable, and proactive mindset
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office / technical documentation tools

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT HERE

· Exposure to cutting-edge UAV technology and diverse project types
· High ownership, low bureaucracy
· Your work literally flies
· Opportunity to shape production workflows and lead a talented technical team
· Small, driven team with strong technical depth
· Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
· Paid vacation and personal days

NOTES & WORK CONDITIONS

· Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada (Sponsorship is not available).
· Must live within commuting distance of Cambridge, ON, or be willing to relocate prior to starting (No relocation assistance provided).
· Work Location: In person (indoor workshop and outdoor field environments).
· Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support flight operations.
· Physical ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs).

Pay: $70,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 UAV Assembly and Maintenance Team Lead (Cambridge)
🏢 Forward Robotics
📍 Cambridge