Senior Field Services Engineer (R6380)

Description

The company builds defense technology, including autonomy software, uncrewed aircraft and simulation systems, with sites in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

The role coordinates demo flight operations, equipment staging, transport, logistics, site support and field execution for flight test campaigns, demonstrations, operational evaluations and customer events, so people, aircraft, payloads, communications, ground control systems and support equipment are ready on time and in place.

You act as the demonstration and flight test operator and subject matter expert for Group 1/2 UAS assets and how they are used operationally. You work with operators, customers and mission stakeholders to pin down mission requirements and constraints, then build TTPs and CONOPS around their mission-essential tasks, and you support operator familiarization, training and documentation for effective use of the autonomy system.

You work closely with software, systems and flight test teams to support integration, validation and operational assessment of autonomy capabilities in lab, ground and flight settings.

Responsibilities

• Work with the test team and business development on product capabilities and customer requirements.
• Connect autonomy development, testing and field use by applying operational realism, a mission-user view, logistics coordination and deployment-readiness knowledge.
• Build representative mission scenarios and assess operational effectiveness, usability, suitability, supportability and field readiness. Turn real mission needs into test objectives, measures and evaluation criteria that complement the technical assessments by engineering and Flight Test Operations.
• Fly test platforms for daily fly-fix-fly verification.
• Act as a primary operator for Group 1/2 UAS platforms during operational testing and demonstrations.
• Collect field observations, operational lessons, customer feedback and sustainment needs, and turn them into actionable recommendations for engineering and program teams on product design, deployment planning, training and transition to operational use.
• Configure, inspect, maintain and troubleshoot aircraft, payloads, autopilot systems and ground control stations.
• Coordinate aircraft readiness, pre-flight inspections, launch and recovery, and post-flight maintenance.
• Carry out operational test procedures and mission plans while meeting established safety and operational requirements.
• Help develop, refine and enforce SOPs, checklists and operational best practices for demonstrations and testing.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, airspace requirements, range procedures and company flight operations standards.
• Help with flight planning, airspace coordination, mission scheduling and operational risk assessments.

Requirements

• At least 4 years operating and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms, with substantial experience working with military units, both foreign and domestic.
• Solid knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, ground control stations, communications systems and payload integration.
• Ability to discuss mission requirements with customer UAS and ground operators.
• Clear grasp of customer mission-essential tasks and CONOPS.
• Experience writing, implementing and running SOPs, checklists and operational processes.
• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, NAS operations, airspace coordination and flight authorization requirements.
• Experience running flight operations in dynamic, complex test environments.
• Strong grasp of mission planning, operational employment, logistics and field coordination.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including briefing large groups.
• Ability to turn qualitative user feedback into structured requirements or recommendations.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with software, systems, safety and flight operations personnel.
• FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAS operational experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance. U.S. citizenship required.
• Optional: experience supporting C2 operations, tactical communications, aviation or maritime operations, and operational test and evaluation events.
• Optional: experience supporting autonomy, AI-enabled systems or developmental flight test programs, particularly with multi-aircraft or distributed UAS operations.
• Optional: experience in training delivery, sustainment planning and range or event support.
• Optional: familiarity with standard control and autopilot elements such as QGC, Mission Planner, ArduPilot and PX4.
• Optional: U.S. military or government agency UAS operations experience.

Conditions

Full-time regular employee offer package.

Temporary employee offer package: pay within the range listed above, plus a temporary benefits package that starts after 60 days of employment.

Pay depends on factors including skill set, experience, licenses and certifications, and work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possibly a reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Ask your talent acquisition representative for details.

The company is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equal employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Benefits

• Temporary employees receive a temporary benefits package after 60 days of employment; part-time employees and military fellows are not eligible for benefits.