UAS Operational Pilot & Instructor

San Diego, CA, USA|Onsite, Travel

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Type:

Salary

Rate:

Range $90,000.00 - $120,000.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

FSA

HSA

Hospital Indemnity insurance

critical illness insurance

accident insurance

Life insurance

short-term disability

long-term disability

Mental Health Resources

Job Description

Firestorm is an innovative defense technology company based in San Diego, CA, focused on revolutionizing national security through advanced and cost-effective unmanned aerial systems (UAS). As a venture capital-backed startup operating at the junction of Silicon Valley innovation and defense industry demands, Firestorm aims to empower U.S. allied nations by offering affordable, cutting-edge aerial vehicle technology that enhances operational effectiveness. Their mission, dubbed "democratized deterrence," seeks to disrupt traditional defense procurement by delivering world-class UAS capabilities at a fraction of the conventional cost, bridging gaps in defense readiness across various budget levels.

The company specializes in developing mission-adaptable aerial vehi... Show More

Job Requirements

Minimum of 4 years experience operating Group 1-3 UAS
2+ years remote-control pilot experience
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Ability to operate FPV drone systems
Strong mission planning and flight safety skills
Excellent communication and decision-making skills
Able to work independently
Willing to travel up to 25%
Ability to withstand outdoor environmental conditions
U.S. citizenship
Eligibility to obtain or maintain security clearance

Job Qualifications

Minimum of 4 years experience operating Group 1-3 UAS in military, commercial, or public safety settings
2+ years remote-control pilot experience
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Expertise with Group 1-3 UAS including FPV drone flying
Hands-on experience with FPV systems including RC, flight controllers, cameras, motors, and peripherals
Proficient in flying with precise control and advanced maneuvering
Skilled in mission planning, radio communications, and flight safety procedures
Excellent situational awareness, communication, and decision-making under pressure
Able to work independently in dynamic settings
Willing to travel up to 25%
Ability to withstand environmental conditions
U.S. citizen and eligible for security clearance
Prior military or tactical drone operations experience preferred
Experience with FPV drone systems and aerial videography techniques preferred
Knowledge of FPV components and systems including RC RX/TX and video transmitters preferred
Ability to teach FPV flight theory and safe operations preferred
Familiarity with EO/IR, LiDAR, or multispectral payloads preferred
Knowledge of JADC2 environments and tactical network integration preferred
Certified instructor or evaluator preferred
Experience developing training pipelines, SOPs, or certification standards preferred
Technical experience with UAS hardware/software integration, telemetry, or planning tools preferred

Job Duties

Execute UAS flight missions in support of research and development, demos, customer engagements, exercises, and operational deployments
Operate Group 1-3 UAS in tactical, test, and field environments including austere locations
Conduct mission planning, airspace deconfliction, and operational risk management
Lead hands-on instruction in UAS mission planning, execution, emergency procedures, and modular payload integration
Train US and international operators to meet mission readiness standards
Teach safe Group 1-3 operations and aeronautical decision-making principles tailored to dynamic environments
Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, internal safety protocols, and risk mitigation procedures
Serve as a subject matter expert for Group 1-3 UAS operational use cases and product integration
Collaborate with engineering and leadership to inform UAS development and operational capabilities
Support creation of training syllabi, courseware, and mission brief materials
Develop training content, after-action reviews, and technical documentation
Lead structured post-flight debriefs to capture lessons learned
Provide operational feedback to drive system improvements

Job Qualifications

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)

Job Location

We didn't receive the exact location for this job posting,

please contact the employer.

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