Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator

Long Beach, CA, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Type:
Salary
Rate:
Range $90,000.00 - $114,500.00
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Travel reimbursement
Professional Development

Job Description

We are a stealth-mode Aerospace and Defense startup headquartered in El Segundo, California, dedicated to advancing the frontiers of aerial technology with innovative, high-performance unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Our founding team comprises industry veterans from leading aerospace and defense companies such as SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop, ABL, and Lockheed Martin. Supported by Joint Staff-level military leadership and investment from top-tier Silicon Valley firms, we are poised to revolutionize defense technology with cutting-edge autonomous and remote-piloted flight systems. Our mission centers on assembling a high-agency team that thrives in a fast-paced environment, tackling complex problems, and ultimately protecting what matters most through... Show More

Job Requirements

  • 3+ years experience flying RC aircraft, drones, or UAS (fixed-wing + multirotor)
  • demonstrated skill flying high-performance or high-speed aircraft
  • experience with RC transmitters, flight modes, failsafes, and standard radio protocols
  • ability to diagnose and repair basic airframe, propulsion, and avionics issues under time pressure
  • familiarity with ArduPilot, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar autopilot ecosystems
  • strong situational awareness and disciplined safety mindset
  • ability to travel for flight tests and work in outdoor environments

Job Qualifications

  • 3+ years experience flying RC aircraft, drones, or UAS (fixed-wing + multirotor)
  • demonstrated skill flying high-performance or high-speed aircraft (EDF jets, turbine jets, or equivalent)
  • experience with RC transmitters, flight modes, failsafes, and standard radio protocols
  • ability to diagnose and repair basic airframe, propulsion, and avionics issues under time pressure
  • familiarity with ArduPilot, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar autopilot ecosystems
  • strong situational awareness and disciplined safety mindset
  • ability to travel for flight tests and work in outdoor environments
  • experience flying large/heavy-lift multi-rotors or hybrid VTOL systems
  • experience tuning ArduPilot, PX4, Betaflight, or other autopilot systems
  • familiarity with autonomous flight testing and data review (logs, telemetry, onboard captures)
  • experience with high-speed FPV, long-range links, or high-G maneuvering aircraft
  • FAA Part 107 certification
  • background in aerospace, robotics, or mechanical/electrical engineering

Job Duties

  • Pilot high-performance RC jets, fixed-wing target drones, and multirotor systems during ground and flight testing
  • execute pre-flight, post-flight, and safety checklists with discipline
  • maintain positive control of aircraft during nominal flights and during upset or emergency scenarios
  • provide real-time feedback to engineering teams regarding aircraft behavior, anomalies, or flight envelope limitations
  • assist with aircraft assembly, configuration, repair, and rapid turnaround
  • set up radios, transmitters, telemetry, FPV links, batteries, propulsion systems, and safety systems
  • support flight software and GNC engineers with ArduPilot-based integrations
  • perform manual flight testing to characterize aircraft dynamics prior to autopilot engagement
  • assist with tuning PID loops, navigation parameters, launch parameters, and failsafes
  • help review logs and flight data to identify tuning needs or hardware issues
  • contribute to test card creation, range coordination, and safe test execution
  • operate ground control stations, RF links, and telemetry systems during tests
  • participate in risk reviews, safety briefings, and incident analysis
  • support field operations including setup, teardown, and transportation of equipment

Job Qualifications

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)

Job Location

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