UAV Pilot / Pilot Instructor

Fly at the sharp end of unmanned aviation. Based on the US East Coast.

This is a hands-on flying and instructing role on a fixed-wing UAS programme, supporting live operations and training at home and on overseas missions. If you have the hours and the judgement, we want to hear from you. Candidates relocating to the US East Coast are genuinely welcome to apply, so distance should not put you off.

The role can be filled at Level I, II or III depending on your experience, so there is room to come in and grow.

• Plan and fly UAS missions against real customer requirements
• Operate a Group III UAS on long endurance missions
• Own pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight safety
• Adapt flight plans on the fly to hit mission objectives
• Train and mentor new pilots to a high operational standard
• Deploy outside the continental US for up to four months at a time when needed
• Run flight demonstrations for customers at remote sites
• Troubleshoot to keep aircraft mission-ready

Level scales with experience. As a guide:

• Level I: 2 to 5 years of crewed or UAS flight experience
• Level II: 5 to 7 years, plus 2 years instructing or customer-facing training
• Level III: 7 to 10 years, 5 years instructing, and 500 hours as Pilot in Command

Across all levels:

• Hold a DoD Secret clearance (US citizenship required)
• Able to obtain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate
• Comfortable flying in varied weather and light
• Happy with up to 75% CONUS and OCONUS travel

Ideally you'll have:

• Path to a DoD Top Secret clearance
• A degree in aviation, engineering or similar
• Deployed UAS ISR experience
• FAA Part 107, a Private Pilot Licence, or R&D and publication experience

In Summary:

This is real defence-sector flying, not a desk. Expect travel, expect responsibility, and expect to work with people who take the mission seriously. You will need to pass a DOT physical and be comfortable with the physical side of working around aircraft.