Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Field Integration and Test (R5130)

Senior Associate V-BAT Operator

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide.

A Senior Associate V-BAT Operator, AVO, assigned to Field Integration and Test (FIT), supports V-BAT field integration activities and flight operations in CONUS and OCONUS environments. This role supports customer site surveys, system installations, calibration events, aircraft operational checks, training support, and operational handoff activities in coordination with Engineering and Customer Operations teams.

This position extends beyond traditional AVO duties. FIT AVOs support site survey planning and execution, installation readiness, aircraft and ground system setup, calibration support, and post-calibration operational checks. After calibration activities, the FIT AVO works with Deployment Operations to verify aircraft readiness, confirm operational usability and set deployed operators up for successful customer operations.

FIT AVOs support DoD, coalition, and international customers in maritime and land-based environments. This includes austere, high-tempo, shipboard, expeditionary, and customer test environments. Senior Associates are expected to model professionalism, enforce safety standards, mentor junior operators, and contribute to system readiness, customer confidence, and mission success.

FIT AVOs may also provide cross-functional support within Customer Operations and support Production Flight Test, Experimental Flight Test, and demonstration activities as required and when team bandwidth permits.

What you'll do:

• Field integration support: Supports site surveys, installations, calibrations, aircraft operational checks, and customer handoff activities while maintaining safe and effective V-BAT operations
• Operational leadership: Leads flight operations and field events with autonomy, sound judgment, and disciplined risk management
• Systems troubleshooting: Diagnoses and resolves issues across aircraft, payloads, ground systems, datalinks, LAN-based networks, MANET networks, RF communications, SATCOM, and support equipment in field conditions
• Cross-functional coordination: Works directly with FIT, Deployment Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Training, Customer Operations, and customers to close issues and drive operational readiness
• Instructor and mentorship capability: Trains, evaluates, and develops operators while reinforcing standards, TTPs, checklist discipline, and safe operating practices

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated instructor experience (manned or unmanned aviation)
• FAA Private Pilot License (PPL)
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret DoD security clearance
• Ability to pass background check, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings
• Willingness to travel on short notice 50 to 75 percent in support of CONUS and OCONUS site surveys, installs, calibrations, flight operations, customer events, and deployment support
• Ability to climb ship masts, vertical ladders, and rooftop access points; work in confined or tight areas; and lift and carry 50 pounds or more in land-based and maritime environments
• Proven ability to lead and operate independently in small teams, including austere, shipboard, expeditionary, and high-tempo environments
• Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, crew coordination, and risk management skills
• Ability to troubleshoot aircraft, payload, ground control, communications, network, and support equipment issues at the field level

Preferred Qualifications:

• FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License
• Experience operating as aircrew on manned aircraft
• Experience with MANET, MPU5, RF communications, Starlink, Starshield, and SATCOM integration or setup
• Prior military service, especially with overseas, maritime, or deployed operations
• Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience
• Previous experience as a Site Lead, Crew Lead, Instructor Operator, or aviation operations lead
• Experience supporting system installation, calibration, test events, or field acceptance activities
• Experience troubleshooting RF, C2, SATCOM, MANET, Starlink, Starshield, ISR payload, or ground control system issues

$100,000 - $150,000 a year

Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.