--- title: 'Lead Production Technician at Auterion' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-production-technician-auterion-manassas-v32bzr7yfbfn' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-04' --- # Lead Production Technician at Auterion - **Company:** Auterion - **Location:** Manassas, VA - **Posted:** 2026-11-02 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-04 - **Apply:** https://auterion.com/company/careers-open-position/8926311002?gh_jid=8926311002 ## Job description ## Overview At Auterion, we build the future of drones and autonomous robots. Our US production team assembles and tests autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers, working to tight deadlines and uncompromising quality standards. As a Lead Production Technician, you are our most skilled hands on the build floor. You will assemble and test autonomous systems per specifications and schematics, set the standard for soldering and wiring workmanship, and guide fellow technicians to deliver quality units on schedule. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, certified technician who takes pride in clean workmanship, follows technical instructions precisely, and can coach others. ## Responsibilities and Duties - Lead Assembly Work: Assemble autonomous systems and related components per specifications, schematics and work instructions. Help plan daily build priorities and keep production on schedule. - Own Soldering and Wiring Quality: Perform and inspect soldering, wiring, harness and mechanical fitting work to certified workmanship standards. Rework or reject non-conforming work. - Train and Mentor Technicians: Coach assembly technicians on soldering, wiring and assembly technique. Check their work, give feedback and help maintain skills and certifications. - Conduct Functional Checks and Troubleshooting: Run initial functionality checks on completed units, troubleshoot issues at the component and wiring level, and escalate complex failures to engineering. - Maintain Accurate Records: Document assembly progress, test results, serial numbers and configuration. Keep build records traceable and complete. - Uphold Quality and Safety: Ensure quality standards and safety protocols are met, including ESD controls, safe handling of batteries and tools, and a clean, organized workstation. - Support Process Improvement: Give engineering and production leadership practical feedback to improve build instructions, tooling, fixtures and yield. - Manage Materials and Equipment: Keep soldering stations, tools and fixtures calibrated and in good order. Track parts, flag shortages and support inventory control. - Support 3D Printing and Fabrication: Use 3D printing and basic CAD to produce fixtures, mounts and small parts as needed. Certifications - Required: Current IPC J-STD-001 (Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies) certification, at least CIS (Certified IPC Specialist) level, or the ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire. - Strongly Preferred: IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies) certification. - Strongly Preferred: IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) certification. - Plus: IPC J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610 CIT (Trainer) credential, or NASA-STD-8739 / military soldering certification. ## Qualifications and Skills This role demands a blend of hands-on craftsmanship, technical discipline and leadership, in line with our core values: Be Bold, Own the Outcome, and Team Over Players. - Demonstrated Skill: Proven hands-on through-hole and surface-mount soldering, rework and wire termination. Able to show examples of work or pass a practical soldering assessment. - Relevant Experience: Experience in electronics assembly, robotics, RC aircraft or drones, or mechanical assembly. Prior lead, trainer or mentoring experience is a plus. Experience working in an ISO9001 or AS9100 certified manufacturing facility is desired. - Technical Documentation: Able to read and follow technical diagrams, schematics and manuals. - Design and Fabrication Familiarity: Familiarity with 3D printing and basic CAD design. - Troubleshooting: Able to troubleshoot simple electrical and mechanical issues and run basic functionality checks. - Attention to Detail: Consistent, accurate record-keeping and a strong quality mindset. - Reliability: Able to work a full-time, on-site Monday–Friday schedule and meet tight deadlines. ## Benefits - Flexible working hours - Stock Options - Unlimited PTO - Health Insurance (includes dental & vision) - Medical flex spending - Life Insurance - Retirement Plan – 401k with company match - Enhanced maternity & paternity leave ## About Auterion We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems. At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you'll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters. ## About Auterion ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Auterion provides an open operating system and software platform that connects, controls, and orchestrates fleets of autonomous drones and robots for defense, industrial, and civil missions. - **Entity Type**: Private (Corporate Minority funding stage; total raised $140M) - **Headquarters**: Arlington, Virginia, United States (with offices in Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, and Rwanda) - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Lorenz Meier (Co-Founder & CEO) and Markus Achtelik (CTO) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Defense & government, public safety, energy (oil & gas, utilities), infrastructure & construction, agriculture, inspection. - **Target customers**: B2B, Government/Defense (U.S. and allied nations), drone manufacturers, large enterprise fleets. - **Mission**: "Accelerating global adoption of autonomous robotics" by creating the connected operating system for the next evolution in computing. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/company/) ## Products & Services - **Auterion Mission Control** – A single application to plan, execute, and monitor drone operations across a global fleet; provides live situational awareness, cloud-based analytics, and standardized mission workflows. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/) - **AuterionOS** – The vendor-independent operating system for autonomous robots, built on open standards (PX4 open source), enabling continuous deployment of apps, automation of complex workflows, and consistent user experience across heterogeneous vehicles. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/) - **Skynode X** – Integrated compute and autopilot hardware that runs mission planning, real-time video, fleet operations, predictive maintenance, and cloud connectivity. Over 100,000 units under contract. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/) - **Long Range One Way Attack** – A defense-specific capability delivering precision effects at distances up to 1,000 miles, using Auterion’s software-defined autonomy stack. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/) - **Government Services** – NDAA-compliant, trusted systems for U.S. and allied government use, including cargo, surveillance, and swarm operations. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company). - **Key Metrics**: Total funding $140M; estimated annual revenue $100M; headcount of 150 employees (+61.1% YoY); over 100,000 Skynode units under contract. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auterion) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion) - **Notable Investors**: Rheinmetall (strategic), Lakestar, Mosaic Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, and eight others. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auterion) - **Growth Signals**: Nominated by the U.S. Government as the standard for its future drone program; achieved first global combat drone swarm live-fire test (single operator striking three targets simultaneously); 462.5% YoY increase in job postings; expansion into UK defense (GM UK Defense) and EU defense. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/company/) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion) ## Competitive Advantages - **Open-source foundation**: Built on the PX4 autopilot and Dronecode ecosystem, giving customers vendor independence and continuous innovation. - **Government standard**: Designated by the U.S. Government as the standard for its future drone program – a powerful moat in defense procurement. - **Scale of deployment**: Over 100,000 Skynode units under contract, orders of magnitude ahead of competitors. - **Proven in combat**: Live-fire swarm tests with the U.S. military demonstrate real-world tactical effectiveness. ## Strategic Focus - **Defense and swarm operations**: Scaling long-range one-way attack and coordinated swarm capabilities for allied nations (U.K., EU, Indo-Pacific). - **Ecosystem expansion**: Transitioning from single-drone ops to network-centric, multi-domain autonomy across air, land, and sea. - **Commercial verticals**: Continued investment in inspection, energy, agriculture, and public safety use cases. - **International growth**: Building local teams and partnerships in Europe, Canada, and Rwanda. ## Why Work Here - **Impactful mission**: Build systems that deploy directly to military and industrial field operations – “build swarms, not drones.” [auterion.com/careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/) - **Engineering culture**: Ship code that reaches the field in weeks; decisions made quickly with clear ownership; emphasis on speed and execution over bureaucracy. - **Values**: “Be bold and audacious,” “Own the outcome,” “Finish the race,” “Team over players,” “Keep moving forward.” [auterion.com/careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/) - **Growth opportunities**: 45 active job openings with strong hiring trend (+462.5% YoY); roles range from software engineering to GNC, systems engineering, deployment, and factory operations. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion) - **International experience**: Transatlantic travel opportunities; work across U.S., Switzerland, Germany, UK, Canada, and Rwanda. - **No degree obsession**: “We value performance and merit, not just degrees.” [auterion.com/careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/) ## Sources 1. [auterion.com – Company & About](https://auterion.com/company/) 2. [auterion.com – Careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/) 3. [cbinsights.com – Auterion Profile](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auterion) 4. [linkedin.com – Auterion Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion) ## Other roles at Auterion - [Flight Control Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-control-intern-auterion-zurich-kfmm14whrhtc) — Zurich, Switzerland - [Assistant Security & Travel](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-security-travel-auterion-zurich-4z6ezav5c59c) — Zurich, Switzerland - [Senior Flight Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-test-engineer-auterion-manassas-kbr2k0958n59) — Manassas, VA - [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-auterion-zurich-3arhhvk2swem) — Zurich, Switzerland - [Computer Vision Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/computer-vision-engineer-auterion-manassas-3vx6777pfdex) — Manassas, VA - [Mission Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-coordinator-auterion-munich-8j6sb6rak1t7) — Munich, Germany - [Forward Deployed Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-engineer-auterion-amsterdam-xcyxmknymb0e) — Amsterdam, Netherlands - [Software Embedded Engineer (Hiring at Multiple Levels)](https://feeny.ai/job/software-embedded-engineer-hiring-at-multiple-levels-auterion-manassas-bh7m9ngzgpj6) — Manassas, VA - [Solutions Engineer UAS / Aviation](https://feeny.ai/job/solutions-engineer-uas-aviation-auterion-munich-5b1r4gcd3b60) — Munich, Germany - [DevOps Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/devops-engineer-auterion-zurich-0stwwmqfz344) — Zurich, Switzerland