UAV / Drone Pilot and Defense Operations Specialist

UAV / Drone Pilot and Defense Operations Specialist Locations: Chicago (Schaumburg), IL Type: Full Time | Open 4/27/26 | Close 5/29/26 About WingXpand WingXpand is Expanding What’s Possible™ with Autonomous Systems, building long-endurance, backpackable smart plane drones and robotics systems that support defense, public safety, disaster response, and commercial missions. Our platforms operate across air, ground, and maritime domains, integrating autonomy, AI-powered sensing, edge computing, and networked systems to deliver real-world intelligence and threat detection. We design, build, and deploy complete systems — hardware, software, and data — and we move fast. As WingXpand scales, we are seeking high performers to grow with our team. Position Description WingXpand is seeking a UAV / Drone Pilot and Defense Operations Specialist to support customer demos, training, operational events, and field deployments. This role is highly customer facing and ideal for someone with real world drone operations experience who thrives in fast paced environments and enjoys working directly with military, government, and public safety customers. Key Responsibilities: Flight Operations: Safely operate UAVs and VTOL systemsduring demos, training events, test operations, and customer missions. Customer Demonstrations: Lead live product demonstrationsand support operational evaluations. Training: Conduct classroom and hands on flight training foroperators and customers. Mission Support: Assist customers during exercises,deployments, and operational activities. Customer Success: Help customers successfully integrate andoperate WingXpand systems. Product Engagement: Provide real time operational feedbackdirectly to WingXpand’s engineering and technician teams and help shape nextgeneration products and capabilities. Travel: Travel regularly to customer sites, test events, andtrade shows, potentially with limited notice. Qualifications: FAA Part 107 certification required. 3+ years of experience operating UAVs, VTOL systems, orunmanned aircraft platforms. Military aviation or Group 1/2 UAS experience preferred. Preferred experience with modern battlefield TTPs (Tactics,Techniques, and Procedures). Strong communication, troubleshooting, and problem solvingskills. Ability to work independently and directly with customers inoperational environments. Ability to travel frequently. What Else You Need to Know To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations, applicant must be a 'U.S. Person' (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder). If you are a self-motivated, results-driven individual with a passion for innovation and technology, we want to hear from you! #J-18808-Ljbffr