Drone Pilot / Drone Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Drone Pilot / Drone Operator

Job Description

A Drone Pilot with Group UAS/UAV expertise is responsible for executing safe, precise, and missionready flight operations across both continental and international environments. This role requires advanced External Pilot skills, strong technical proficiency with ground control systems, autopilot technologies, and missionplanning software, along with the ability to travel extensively and support sensitive missions requiring a Secret clearance.

These positions will travel both CONUS and OCONUS.

Pay and Benefits Summary

Base Pay is $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 a year (paid hourly). Candidates regularly make over $200,000.00 a year with Overtime and Travel Pay.

100% Company Paid Medical Benefits for Employee, 90% paid for family members

Responsibilities

• Operate Group 3 UAS/UAV platforms as External Pilot and Pilot in Command, ensuring safe and compliant flight operations.
• Execute mission plans including launch, recovery, navigation, and emergency procedures.
• Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot ground station software and missionplanning tools.
• Manage and tune autopilot systems, including autonomous flight modes and navigation settings.
• Conduct preflight, inflight, and postflight inspections and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and safety teams to support mission planning and system integration.
• Maintain detailed logs of flight hours, maintenance actions, and mission outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, DoD, and internal operational standards.
• Support training, evaluation, and mentorship of junior UAS operators.
• Travel up to 50%, including international locations, to support field operations, testing, and customer missions.
• Adhere to all security protocols required for Secretlevel programs.

Position Requirements

• 5+ years of professional UAS/UAV flight experience.
• 250500+ PilotinCommand (PIC) hours on Group 3 UAS platforms OR over 500 hours of other Drone Platform experience.
• Class II Medical Certificate Preferred or ability to obtain one.
• Eligible for or have an Active Security Clearance
• Demonstrated proficiency as an External Pilot for Group 3 aircraft (or extensive experience piloting other drones)
• Handson experience with ground station software and missionplanning tools.
• Strong understanding of autopilot systems, autonomous flight modes, and UAS navigation technologies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Ability and willingness to travel 50%, including international deployments.
• Excellent situational awareness and decisionmaking under dynamic conditions.

Why Work Here?

Join a rapidly growing organization with a great work environment and culture. Be part of a team that values your expertise and offers opportunities for professional growth.

Work Environment

Work within an aircraft manufacturing setting, primarily on a standard day shift. Be prepared to work long hours when necessary to accomplish the mission

This is a Permanent position based out of Huntsville, AL.

The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical Dental 401K PTO- both holiday pay and vacation

This is a Permanent position based out of Huntsville, AL.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 31, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Huntsville,AL.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.