Job Description
Work Setting: 100% onsite with a four-day, 10-hour workweek (Monday–Thursday)
Travel: Domestic and international travel required to support flight testing and operational deployments
Compensation: $85,041 – $108,071.70 base salary (actual annual earnings are expected to be significantly higher due to field deployment pay and overtime opportunities).
Benefits: Company-paid employee medical insurance, low-cost family coverage, retirement plan, paid time off, and comprehensive benefits package
Position Summary
A rapidly growing aerospace and defense technology company is seeking an External UAS Test Pilot to conduct manual, line-of-sight (LOS) flight operations for Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aircraft systems in both developmental testing and operational environments.
Unlike traditional drone pilot roles that rely primarily on autonomous flight, this position is focused on hands-on flying. The successful candidate will manually launch, fly, and recover fixed-wing and multirotor aircraft using RC-style transmitters and external flight controls while serving as the safety pilot responsible for protecting valuable prototype aircraft during testing.
This role is ideal for highly skilled RC pilots, external UAS pilots, or experienced flight test professionals who have developed exceptional stick-and-rudder flying skills through years of competition, military service, or professional UAS flight operations.
What You'll Do
• Conduct manual line-of-sight flight operations for Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aircraft systems
• Perform aircraft launch, recovery, and flight testing using RC transmitters and manual flight controls
• Support developmental flight test programs by safely operating prototype and production aircraft
• Set up support equipment, stage aircraft, and perform post-flight inspections and safety procedures
• Assist with aircraft integration, modifications, and preparation for flight testing
• Support engineering teams with flight evaluations, troubleshooting, and operational feedback
• Cross-train in additional technical disciplines and contribute to aircraft assembly, integration, and testing activities when not actively flying
• Travel as needed to support customer demonstrations, testing, and operational deployments
What You Bring
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Extensive experience flying remote-controlled fixed-wing aircraft, multirotor aircraft, or military UAS platforms
• Exceptional manual flight skills with the ability to safely recover aircraft during abnormal flight conditions
• Strong understanding of aircraft orientation, energy management, and manual landing techniques
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance
• U.S. citizenship required
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate
• Willingness to travel within and outside the continental United States
Preferred Qualifications
• 500+ hours operating Group 1 or Group 2 UAS or equivalent-sized RC aircraft
• Experience with fixed-wing aircraft, giant-scale RC aircraft, aerobatic aircraft, or turbine-powered platforms
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• FAA Certificated Pilot or Military Pilot/UAS Air Vehicle Pilot experience
• Experience supporting research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) flight programs
• Familiarity with Pixhawk, Mission Planner, ArduPilot, Ground Control Stations, or similar autopilot systems
• Associate degree or higher in aviation, UAS, engineering, or a related technical field
Why This Opportunity
• Rare opportunity to fly advanced unmanned aircraft through every stage of development—from prototype to operational deployment
• Four-day workweek (Monday–Thursday) with most weekends off
• Join a highly collaborative team where pilots are actively involved in engineering, integration, and aircraft development—not just flight operations
• Work alongside experienced aerospace engineers, developers, and flight test professionals
• Opportunity to support cutting-edge defense and aerospace programs with domestic and international travel
• Broad technical exposure across flight testing, aircraft integration, engineering, and operational support
• Competitive compensation, strong benefits, and long-term career growth within an innovative aerospace organization
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