What are the responsibilities and job description for the UAS Operator position at Blackrock Strategy LLC?
Position: UAS Operator
About Blackrock Strategy
Blackrock Strategy LLC delivers cutting-edge solutions to national security challenges through advanced technology, operational expertise, and rapid deployment. Our teams support critical missions worldwide—where precision, agility, and innovation matter most. We value field-proven skills, independent judgment, and mission-first focus.
Position Location: Indianapolis Metro Region; Huntsville, AL; Clarksville/Fort Campbell Area
Position Summary: UAS Operators at Blackrock Strategy plan, coordinate, and execute unmanned flight operations to support the acceleration of emerging technologies and the rapid fielding of new systems to warfighters in the Department of Defense. Activities include planning unmanned system missions, supporting technology assessments, coordinating exceptions to policy and other documentation related to experimental flight, integrating platforms and payloads, and other duties as required and assigned.
Position Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Travel: This position will require frequent travel, including deployments to remote, austere OCONUS operational locations.
Position Compensation: Competitive base pay, deployment bonuses, per diem, and covered travel.
Company Benefits: Full package including employee health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance; 401(k) with matching contributions; paid time off; and reimbursement for relevant education and training.
Position Summary
Blackrock Strategy is seeking to hire a Deployable UAS Operator to support real-world testing, training, and operational missions using primarily Group 1–3 UAS platforms. The ideal candidate will be highly skilled with systems like Mission Planner and ArduPilot and will be prepared to conduct flight operations in dynamic and often challenging environments. This is a hands-on, field-focused position for individuals who excel in fast-paced, high-stakes missions that demand disciplined initiative, high trust, and dedication.
Candidates will work tuning systems in the field, launching aircraft, troubleshooting in real time, and helping government partners solve hard problems with unmanned platforms and attack systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate unmanned aircraft systems in support of test, training, and operational events
- Plan and execute UAS missions using Mission Planner, including waypoint control, diagnostics, and telemetry
- Configure and tune ArduPilot-based flight systems; conduct firmware updates and field calibration
- Conduct pre-mission planning, airspace deconfliction, policy review, and risk assessments
- Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight checks and document system performance
- Troubleshoot aircraft subsystems, ground control stations, and RF links in field conditions
- Coordinate with airspace managers, range control, and customer mission leads
- Maintain full deployment readiness and support up to approximately 180 days of CONUS/OCONUS travel annually
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of UAS operations experience (military or commercial)
- Proficiency with ArduPilot flight stacks and Mission Planner software
- Familiarity with Group 1–3 platforms
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or eligibility to obtain
- Ability to pass deployment medical screening and meet physical travel requirements
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Ability to receive up to a TOP SECRET security clearance with access to secure compartmentalized information (SCI)
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior military UAS operations experience (e.g., 15W, 7314, or aviation-related MOS/AFSC)
- Experience supporting Department of Defense operations, R&D, test, or fielding efforts
- Knowledge of RF communication systems, EO/IR payloads, and mobile ground control system integration
- Bachelor’s degree in field related to advanced technology or unmanned systems.
- Experience operating in range environments or restricted airspace
- Active DoD SECRET (with ability to receive TOP SECRET/SCI clearance) or TOP SECRET clearance
Our work is at the forefront of what is possible to rapidly field military technologies. We look forward to exploring your fit for our team.
We have a unique mission set—our team comprises good people with excellent technical skills and character attributes. Our company rigorously screens, assesses, selects, and trains candidates with technical competence and the following key skills and attributes:
Self-confidence: strong sense of one's self-worth and capabilities, tempered by professional humility
- Adaptability: the ability to constructively deal with objective ambiguity and rapidly learn, un-learn, and re-learn as missions require.
- Temperament: awareness of one's own perspectives, coupled with the ability to see and adjust to the perspectives of others.
- Perspective-taking: the ability to stand back and see a situation from different perspectives simultaneously; strongly related to cognitive flexibility.
- Problem solving: the ability to "see" an operational problem (situational awareness), analyze it, and develop or find ways to deal with it.
- Conceptual capacity: putting together coherent abstract and concrete plans.
- Communications: advanced proficiency will all forms of communication including negotiation skills, conflict resolution skills, persuasion skills, and collaboration skills.
We put people in the field who make a difference to do work that matters. Join us.
Blackrock Strategy is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace free from discrimination and actively recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Blackrock Strategy also takes affirmative action to employ and advance veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our Human Resources department at 256-429-3608.