Sr. Hardware Test Technician
Pyka
Other Engineering
Alameda, CA, USA
USD 40-51.5 / hour + Equity
Posted on Jan 16, 2026
About Pyka
Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.
To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.
We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.
Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.
What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.
Role Overview
Pyka is looking for an experienced Hardware Test Technician with a high level of mechanical skills and technical curiosity to build and operate test equipment supporting the development of its autonomous aircraft systems. This position requires an engaged and collaborative technician with a solid technical foundation.
As a Hardware Test Technician you’ll report to the Head of Reliability and play an active role in the development and validation of our hardware from wheels to wing tips and charging station to rudder servo. You'll work as part of a cross-functional team to gather information from our flight operations staff in the field, collaborate with engineers to develop tests, conceptualize and build test equipment as well as run and document tests and their results.As a startup, we are all about growth. We expect the successful candidate to eventually help grow a team of technicians.
Responsibilities
- Fabricating: Build test setups, assemble prototype parts, and upgrade stands and processes.
- Collecting Data: Document tests via written observations, photos/video, and DAQ as appropriate.
- Troubleshooting/RCA: Observe and report new failures, track back the issue to the root cause.
- Collaborate: with cross-disciplinary teams to define and execute test plans, and within the team to work efficiently and intelligently.
- Maintain the testing space and keep equipment operational and orderly.
- Maintain a safe environment and your personal safety while working with batteries, high voltage, and spinning motors.
Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated technical or engineering fundamentals, gained through formal education, hands-on experience, or a combination of both.
- 3+ years hands-on work with technical systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Comfort taking initiative and contributing ideas within a team setting.
- 3+ years fabricating/building/assembly experience in any medium
- Strong attention to detail, an organized approach to troubleshooting, and an interest in continuous improvement.
- Basic high voltage safety knowledge and comfortable working on high voltage DC and AC systems.
- Experience inspecting and identifying issues in various mechanical and electrical components.
- Experience maintaining and upgrading mission-critical systems: follow appropriate inspection and test plans for sensors, actuators and mechanical systems.
- Experience reading and building from electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings - drafting or CAD experience are a plus.
- General understanding of autonomous vehicles and typical subsystems (instruments, actuators, on-board computers, etc.).
- Ability to operate and maintain a wide variety of hand and power tools, shop tools, and lab equipment.
- A passion for tinkering, high tech, aviation or agriculture is a plus.
- We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.
Compensation and Benefits
- S3: $40.00–$51.50 hourly + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
- Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
- FSA with employer matching
- 401(k)
- Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
- Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
Export Control Requirements
This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.
Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.
--
We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.