Drone Pilot

Drone Pilot

This role operates and supports unmanned aerial systems in live flight and testing environments, ensuring safe, precise, and compliant drone operations. The position combines hands-on remote piloting, aviation safety practices, and technical problem-solving while working closely with cross-functional engineering and operations teams. The role requires frequent travel, physical stamina for field work, and the ability to lead small teams in dynamic, operations-focused settings.

Responsibilities:

• Operate drones and remote-controlled aircraft with a high level of coordination, precision, and execution in both test and live operational environments.
• Apply aeronautical knowledge and 14 CFR Part 107 Remote Pilot expertise to plan, conduct, and document safe flight operations.
• Follow established aviation safety procedures and contribute to a strong safety culture in all aspects of drone operations.
• Support live drone flight operations, including pre-flight checks, in-flight monitoring, and post-flight inspections and reporting.
• Troubleshoot technical and operational issues in real time to support mission-critical delivery and test activities.
• Collaborate with software, aerospace, systems engineering, and flight operations teams to support development, testing, and deployment of drone systems.
• Work within FAA Part 107 and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) frameworks, adhering to regulatory and operational requirements.
• Use tools such as Jira to document issues, track tasks, and report operational findings and improvements.
• Lead small teams in the field, coordinating activities, assigning tasks, and ensuring adherence to safety and operational procedures.
• Travel frequently to various operational and test sites, adapting to changing schedules and locations as needed.
• Perform physically active duties such as lifting equipment up to 50 pounds on some occasions, standing and walking for extended periods, and frequently pushing, pulling, squatting, bending, and reaching during field operations.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and meet driving eligibility requirements to operate vehicles for travel between sites and operational locations.
• Participate in compliance screening processes, including motor vehicle record review and drug testing, as part of the overall safety and compliance program.
• Prepare clear written reports and communications related to flight operations, safety incidents, testing outcomes, and process improvements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of drone operations, safety practices, and standard operating procedures based on field experience and data.

Essential Skills:

• Active 14 CFR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Strong aeronautical knowledge relevant to unmanned aircraft operations.
• Jira knowledge for tracking issues, tasks, and operational data.
• At least 2+ years of remote-control pilot experience with excellent coordination and execution.
• Demonstrated aviation safety mindset and adherence to safety procedures.
• Experience leading small teams in operational or field environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on some occasions and perform frequent pushing, pulling, squatting, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 810 hours with breaks.
• Willingness to work graveyard hours as required by operational schedules.
• Willingness to travel up to 75% of the year for field and test operations.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet driving eligibility criteria.
• Ability to successfully complete motor vehicle record and drug testing as part of a compliance check.
• Strong business communication and reporting skills, both written and verbal.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience within the commercial UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) industry.
• Aviation safety experience in a Safety Officer or similar role.
• Current U.S. fixed-wing or rotorcraft pilot's certificate.
• Experience working under FAA Part 107 and BVLOS operational frameworks.
• Experience in drone, aviation, or safety-focused operations.
• Familiarity with robotics, UAV platforms, and field engineering environments.

Why Work Here?

You will work on cutting-edge drone technology at the intersection of UAV platforms, robotics, and advanced logistics, contributing directly to next-generation autonomous delivery solutions. The role offers high impact in live operations, where your work influences real-world performance and the scaling of autonomous delivery networks. You will gain broad cross-functional exposure by collaborating with software, aerospace, systems engineering, flight operations, and regulatory stakeholders, including experience with FAA compliance and airspace integration. The position supports strong career growth in an emerging technology area, building deep expertise in UAV operations, systems troubleshooting, and field engineering, with opportunities for internal mobility across robotics, operations, and engineering functions. You will benefit from competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, combining the innovation and pace of a startup environment with the stability and resources of a large, well-established organization. The location in a major technology hub offers a strong ecosystem for aerospace, robotics, and autonomous systems, along with cost-of-living advantages such as no state income tax. The hands-on nature of the work provides a dynamic, non-desk-based environment ideal for those who enjoy active field operations and technical problem-solving. You will also develop valuable safety and regulatory experience by contributing to scalable, safe drone delivery infrastructure within structured FAA and BVLOS frameworks.

Work Environment:

The work environment blends indoor technical settings with active field operations in flight environments. You will spend time both outdoors supporting live drone flights and testing, and indoors using tools such as Jira and other technical systems to document and analyze operations. The role involves extended periods of standing and walking, frequent physical activity such as lifting, pushing, pulling, squatting, bending, and reaching, and working during graveyard hours as required by operational needs. Travel of up to 75% of the year is expected, including visits to different test sites and operational locations. The environment emphasizes aviation safety, regulatory compliance under FAA Part 107 and BVLOS frameworks, and close collaboration with engineering and operations teams. The dress code aligns with an active, field-oriented technical role, where practical and safety-appropriate attire is necessary for both indoor and outdoor work.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract position based out of Austin, TX.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $34.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Austin, TX.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 20, 2026.