Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Production Flight Test (R4844)

What you'll do

• Serve as the Air Vehicle Operator during production, acceptance, regression, and troubleshooting flights.

• Safely operate the aircraft throughout all phases of flight in accordance with approved procedures, limitations, and test cards.

• Conduct mission planning, preflight preparation, system configuration, and post-flight activities.

• Review aircraft records, configurations, maintenance status, weather, airspace, and operational risk before flight.

• Coordinate with flight test engineers, maintainers, production personnel, and other members of the flight crew.

• Identify abnormal system behavior and support real-time troubleshooting during ground and flight operations.

• Accurately document flight results, aircraft discrepancies, test-card completion, and operational observations.

• Support the creation and disposition of nonconformance reports, corrective actions, and retest requirements.

• Participate in flight briefs, debriefs, safety reviews, and operational risk assessments.

• Provide clear feedback to engineering and production teams regarding aircraft performance, system functionality, and recurring issues.

• Maintain proficiency and qualification on assigned aircraft, ground-control systems, and operating procedures.

• Support aircraft delivery, customer acceptance activities, demonstrations, and field operations as required.

• Assist with the development and improvement of checklists, test procedures, training materials, and flight-test processes.

• Maintain a professional, safety-focused work environment and exercise stop-work authority when unsafe conditions exist.

• Work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or extended shifts, based on weather and production requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2000 documented unmanned flight hours or 1000 manned flight hours

• Experience conducting production acceptance flights, developmental testing, operational testing, or customer acceptance testing.

• Knowledge of aircraft maintenance documentation, quality systems, and nonconformance-reporting processes.

• Experience operating in controlled, restricted, or special-use airspace.

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret DoD security clearance

• Ability to pass background check, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings

• Willingness to travel up to 25% in support of CONUS and OCONUS test events and/or deployments

• Proven ability to lead and operate independently in small teams, including in austere or high-tempo environments

• Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, and risk management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• FAA Private Pilot License (PPL)

• FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License

• Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience

• Demonstrated instructor experience (manned or unmanned aviation)

• Experience troubleshooting aircraft hardware, software, navigation, propulsion, datalink, or flight-control issues.