Lead Manufacturing Technician / Lead Shop Technician

At WingXpand®

Locations:

Chicago (Schaumburg), IL

‍Type:

Full-Time

About WingXpand

WingXpand is Expanding What’s Possible™ with Autonomous Systems, building long-endurance, backpackable smart plane drones and robotics systems that support defense, public safety, disaster response, and commercial missions. Our platforms operate across air, ground, and maritime domains, integrating autonomy, AI-powered sensing, edge computing, and networked systems to deliver real-world intelligence and threat detection. We design, build, and deploy complete systems — hardware, software, and data — and we move fast. As WingXpand scales, we are seeking high performers to grow with our team.

Position Description

WingXpand is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Technician / Lead Shop Technician to serve as a hands-on builder and shop leader for our aircraft production and R&D operations. This is a sleeves-up, build-first role for someone who thrives on assembling, troubleshooting, improving, and teaching — all while setting the standard for safety, cleanliness, efficiency, and craftsmanship on the shop floor. You will support both R&D prototypes and repeatable production builds, working closely with mechanical, electrical, embedded, and software engineering teams. You’ll also collaborate with counterparts at other WingXpand production facilities to organize and execute work efficiently and consistently.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead by Doing (Hands-On Manufacturing & Assembly)

  • Build, assemble, wire, test, and troubleshoot aircraft systems and subsystems daily.
  • Perform mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical assembly.
  • Jump in wherever needed — modeling reliability, organization, and strong execution.
  • Troubleshoot unexpected build and integration issues quickly and calmly.

Production & Manufacturing Execution

  • Support both prototype builds and production aircraft, switching seamlessly as priorities change.
  • Help define, document, and improve manufacturing workflows for consistency and repeatability.
  • Support production planning, takt alignment, and efficient work sequencing.
  • Identify opportunities to improve design for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly efficiency.

Shop Leadership & Team Development

  • Mentor, guide, and support shop technicians, assemblers, and interns.
  • Set the tone for a positive, high-energy, respectful shop culture.
  • Help onboard and train new technicians through hands-on instruction and demos.
  • Keep communication clear and expectations aligned during fast-paced build cycles.

Safety, Cleanliness & Shop Environment

  • Own shop safety protocols and ensure proper use of tools, equipment, and test procedures.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workspace that supports high-quality builds.
  • Keep tools, CNC machines, and equipment maintained and production-ready.
  • Ensure the shop is always “ready to go.”

Quality Assurance, Documentation & Training

  • Lead QA checks to ensure aircraft and subsystems meet WingXpand quality standards.
  • Create and maintain build instructions, checklists, SOPs, and training documentation.
  • Support continuous improvement of documentation as designs evolve.
  • Lead training sessions for new hires and junior technicians.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with mechanical, electrical, embedded, and software engineers during builds and testing.
  • Provide structured feedback to engineering to improve clarity, robustness, and manufacturability of designs.
  • Support the transition of products from concept → prototype → production.

Shop Organization & Materials Management

  • Manage inventory, materials flow, labeling, and part tracking.
  • Standardize workstations, tool layouts, and part organization.
  • Communicate supply needs early to prevent shortages or production delays.
  • Support general shop and facility needs as required.

‍

Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in:
    • Manufacturing technician
    • Shop technician
    • Mechanical or electrical assembly
    • Fabrication, machining, or hardware assembly roles
  • 1+ year experience leading, mentoring, or supervising others in a shop or production environment.
  • Strong experience with manufacturing workflows and design for manufacturability (DFM).
  • Hands-on experience with CNC machinery and specialty shop tools.
  • Excellent mechanical instincts and confident troubleshooting ability.
  • Reliable, calm, and proactive mindset — you see what needs to be done and make it happen.
  • Strong communication skills; comfortable working with technicians and senior engineers alike.
  • Thrives in fast-moving, evolving manufacturing environments.
  • Passion for building — not watching from the sidelines.

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Additional qualifications:

  • Experience with UAVs, aerospace, robotics, or electronics assembly
  • Familiarity with quality systems, build documentation, and SOPs
  • Ability to design simple jigs and fixtures to improve repeatability
  • Experience in small-team manufacturing or rapid hardware development environments
  • Exposure to prototype-to-production transitions

What Else You Need to Know

To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations, applicant must be a 'U.S. Person' (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder).

If you are a self-motivated, results-driven individual with a passion for innovation and technology, we want to hear from you!

Apply with your resume and optional cover letter (CV), including the types of engineering or technical roles you have hired.

Apply Now