Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator – Production Flight Test

About the role

The Production Flight Test V‑BAT Air Vehicle Operator is responsible for safely operating unmanned aircraft systems during production acceptance testing, system validation, troubleshooting, and delivery activities. The role collaborates with flight‑test engineers, production, quality, maintenance and program teams to ensure each aircraft meets performance, configuration and airworthiness requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the Air Vehicle Operator for production, acceptance, regression and troubleshooting flights.
• Operate the aircraft safely through all flight phases following approved procedures, limitations and test cards.
• Perform mission planning, pre‑flight preparation, system configuration and post‑flight activities.
• Review aircraft records, maintenance status, weather, airspace and operational risk before each flight.
• Identify abnormal system behavior and support real‑time troubleshooting during ground and flight operations.
• Document flight results, aircraft discrepancies, test‑card completion and operational observations.
• Support creation and disposition of non‑conformance reports, corrective actions and retest requirements.
• Participate in flight briefs, debriefs, safety reviews and operational risk assessments.

Required profile

• Minimum 2,000 documented unmanned flight hours or 1,000 manned flight hours.
• Experience conducting production acceptance, developmental, operational or customer acceptance testing.
• Knowledge of aircraft maintenance documentation, quality systems and non‑conformance reporting processes.
• Experience operating in controlled, restricted or special‑use airspace.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and ability to obtain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 25 % for CONUS and OCONUS test events or deployments.
• Proven ability to lead and operate independently in small teams, including austere or high‑tempo environments.

Required skills

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• FAA Class II Medical Certificate.
• Secret DoD security clearance.
• FAA Private Pilot License (PPL) – preferred.
• FAA Instrument Rating or Commercial Pilot License – preferred.