Uncrewed Aerial Systems Specialist

*** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States. Global Support and Development (GSD) is seeking an Uncrewed Aerial Systems Specialist to serve as our technical expert in driving the design and execution of drone initiatives for disaster response, preparedness, and climate adaptation. The position is a full-time, 1-year fixed term, on-site role located at HQ in Charlotte, N.C. with up to 50% domestic and international travel. At GSD, our DNA is rooted in leveraging innovation to strengthen local capacity and fill critical gaps in post-disaster scenarios. As our Uncrewed Aerial Systems Specialist, you will bridge cutting‑edge flight technology with hands‑on humanitarian impact leading cross‑cultural training programs, maintaining operational deployment readiness, and managing rapidly deployed field mapping in resource‑constrained environments. Join us in advancing resilient, community‑led disaster response through ethical and innovative technology. GSD offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: Up to 25 days of accrued vacation Up to 80 hours of annual sick leave Up to 80 hours of Military Pay and 30 Days Differential Medical, Dental and Vision (GSD covers monthly premium) Group Life and AD&D Coverage (GSD covers monthly premium) Retirement (Pre and Post Tax Options) and a Company Match Matches on Qualified 529 Plans Up to 14 Paid Holidays Want to know more? Read on to learn more about the role and how you can help us turn strategy into action! ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Strategize, design, and execute GSD’s UAS programs and community-facing projects to support local partner needs across the Caribbean, Central America, and the South Pacific; Deploy into post-disaster contexts to conduct flight operations, create actionable orthomosaic maps, and manage secure data transfers under tight time constraints and limited infrastructure; Manage international UAS registration, flight permitting, and customs/import authorizations across GSD’s operational regions, including navigating emergency fast-track procedures when local systems are disrupted; Design, update, and instruct a comprehensive, culturally adaptable UAS training curriculum for local partner organizations and regional first responders; Oversee internal GSD flight readiness by delivering staff training, standardizing flight procedures, and building internal operational competency; Further refine and enforce GSD’s UAS flight manuals, risk assessments, pre/post-flight checklists, and emergency response procedures; Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, basic budgets, and logistics for partner UAS engagements, ensuring field initiatives are executed on schedule and within scope; Ensure all UAS operations adhere to strict "Do No Harm" principles, humanitarian data protection standards, and local privacy considerations when capturing imagery of impacted populations; Maintain, inventory, troubleshoot, and budget for GSD’s enterprise UAS fleet, ensuring all platforms and payloads are field-ready for rapid deployment; Serve as GSD’s primary technical advisor for UAS decision-making, resolving complex operational, technical, and logistical challenges in resource‑constrained environments; Embody and promote GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity, ensuring responsible stewardship of organizational resources and prioritizing maximum benefit to disaster‑impacted communities. QUALIFICATIONS: Required Experience: Three (3) or more years of hands‑on experience operating uncrewed aerial systems, with a strong preference for field deployment in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, or resource‑constrained international environments; Proven track record of operating UAS, capturing high‑resolution aerial imagery, and managing end‑to‑end orthomosaic processing in fast‑paced or post‑disaster contexts; Demonstrated experience developing, delivering, and facilitating UAS training curricula for diverse, cross‑cultural, and international partner teams; Hands‑on experience navigating international civil aviation regulatory frameworks, including securing complex import permits, flight authorizations, and emergency operational waivers in foreign jurisdictions; Documented experience maintaining, inventorying, and troubleshooting field‑ready UAS hardware, payloads, and ground control equipment; Proven ability to establish operational SOPs, risk management protocols, and safety management systems tailored to high‑stress, rapidly changing field environments; Demonstrated experience managing basic project workflows, field schedules, and operational logistics, ideally in non‑profit, field operations, or international settings. Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; or An equivalent combination of relevant experience and training. Professional Licenses/Certifications: Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or equivalent international civil aviation authority remote pilot credential; must be current); Safety: AUVSI Trusted Operator Program (TOP) Level 2/3 certification, or formal Aviation Safety/Crew Resource Management (CRM) credentials (desired); Instructional / Train‑the‑Trainer Certification (preferred) or documented professional background in flight instruction and technical curriculum delivery. Knowledge/Skills: Advanced technical command of automated mission planning software (e.g., DroneDeploy) and orthomosaic creation suites; Deep knowledge of humanitarian protection principles, "Do No Harm" frameworks, and strict data privacy/ethics standards related to aerial surveillance and community imaging; Strong problem‑solving skills under pressure, with the ability to make rapid tactical and logistical decisions in unstable, offline, or resource‑constrained settings; Exceptional cross‑cultural communication, facilitation, and teaching skills to effectively train local emergency responders and international partners; Working knowledge of international aviation regulations, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and disaster‑response airspace coordination protocols; Solid organizational and task‑management skills, including familiarity with basic budgeting, expense tracking, and collaboration software (e.g., Excel, AirTable); Demonstrated alignment with humanitarian core values - accountability, humility, integrity, and local capacity‑building; Knowledge of the UAS context (permissions, regulations, etc.) in the Caribbean and Central America is desired; Working knowledge of Spanish is desired. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and Routine domestic and international travel up to 50% is required. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: GSD prioritizes the safety, security, and well‑being of all of our staff members. All employees are expected to follow strict safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required and adherence to safety regulations (maritime, and other), to mitigate risks. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and North Carolina state law, GSD will provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others. These working conditions and physical demands are described to provide a clear understanding of the nature of the role, including the essential deployment responsibilities that may be necessary, to ensure that potential candidates are well‑prepared for the challenging and demanding nature of disaster response work. GSD is not able to reasonably predict when or whether it will become necessary to deploy an employee in this position for disaster response work. Such decisions are made as circumstances arise to meet organizational needs, and employees in this role are therefore expected to be able to fulfill disaster response work responsibilities. Working Conditions During Non-Deployment Periods Work is performed in an office setting and is generally sedentary, but may involve movement (e.g., walking, standing or otherwise being mobile throughout the office) for brief periods of time; Ability to use hands, reach, and independently lift and move items weighing up to 20 pounds, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects; Ability to bend and stoop; Ability to sit and view a computer screen for extended periods of time; Ability to demonstrate manual dexterity to operate computer and other office equipment; Ability to communicate effectively with others. Working Conditions During Deployment Periods (Including Rapid Response) May be regularly exposed to and required to work in varying outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather events; May be required to engage in irregular travel and / or work schedules, which may include extended hours exceeding 8 or 12 hours in a day for prolonged periods outside of the control of the individual; While wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which is required and provided by GSD: Work may be conducted near moving mechanical parts, which could include exposure to loud noises; Work may be conducted near and include potential exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals; or Work may be conducted in areas that include exposure to the risk of electrical shock or vibration. Ability to obtain necessary travel documents and fulfill any other travel requirements (including an active passport, visa requirements, vaccinations, etc.); This role may include deployments to support natural disaster response efforts within hazardous, dynamic, and unstable environments (economically/environmentally) in pre- and post- disaster scenarios, which could include, among other conditions: lack of access to medical care, exposure to critical incidents (including severe injury, death, traumatic encounters, and/or mental strain), and uncommon sleeping arrangements (i.e. not in a hotel, could include close living quarters and cohabitation); GSD’s nutritional environment contains milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat products. Ability to make dietary accommodations may be limited. Potential exposure to food borne allergens; and Employees may be required for this role to work upon our Humanitarian Vessel for up to 30 consecutive days. The vessel’s working environment entails performing in conditions inherent to vessel travel, including but not limited to: steep and narrow stairs and living spaces, close quarters including cohabitation, sharp surfaces, metal gangways and ladders, heavy doors, European-type plugs and wiring (220-240v, 60Hz) which cannot support all American appliances, in addition to bright and flashing lights, loud noises, nuts and shellfish exposure, poor weather, movements which can trigger motion sickness, and / or limited access to hospital / definitive care. This setting involves various sea conditions, including but not limited to rough seas, adverse weather, and potential for sea sickness. Physical Demands During Non-Deployment Periods Ability to perform work indoors in an office environment; Ability to work a varied schedule to complete projects and meet deadlines in response to changing demands; Ability to travel to attend meetings, industry or professional association conferences and stay overnight as required. Physical Demands During Deployment Periods Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for up to 50% of the time; Ability to regularly engage in manual dexterity; [FOR VESSEL] Essential physical requirements (depending on job description requirements) may also include climbing, balancing, reaching or stretching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; Ability to frequently move lift, push, pull, carry items weighing up to 20 pounds for various needs; Ability to observe details at a close range (within a few feet of the observer), and the ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand (must also be able to exchange accurate information in these situations); Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at GSD’s discretion. Work Authorization Requirements: GSD participates in E-verify, an internet‑based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Our participation in E-Verify is in compliance with federal law and is limited to the use of E-Verify for employment eligibility verification only. We do not use E-Verify to pre‑screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. Notwithstanding, employment is conditional upon validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections. #J-18808-Ljbffr GSD says