Location: Patuxent River, MD
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Clearance Type: Active Secret required, Top Secret desired
Work Schedule: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Vice President, CxISRT
Positions Supervised: No
Travel: <25% of the time
DESCRIPTION:
ABSI Aerospace & Defense is an innovative small business headquartered in the St Mary’s County Innovation District located in Southern Maryland. At its core, ABSI is a technical solutions company committed to rapidly delivering emerging technologies and providing expert advice and support that create asymmetric advantages for our customers. This is only made possible by employing and retaining world-class subject matter experts and personnel equally committed to our mission. To support our workforce, ABSI offers highly competitive salaries, flexible work schedules, excellent benefits, instant 401K vesting and a full cafeteria plan that employees can tailor to their individual needs.
ABSI Aerospace & Defense is seeking a Journeyman to Senior-level Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Operator / Air Vehicle Pilot to support Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) operations at Webster Outlying Field (OLF), St. Inigoes, Maryland.
This position supports Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO FOUR (UX-24) and emerging Counter-UAS and Unmanned Autonomy programs conducting developmental flight test of cutting-edge unmanned systems and technologies.
The selected candidate will serve as an Air Vehicle Operator/Pilot (AVO/AVP) supporting Category A and B flight operations for Group 1–3 UAS. The role includes both external/manual line-of-sight (LOS) flight operations and internal pilot duties within a structured flight test environment.
Unlike many commercial drone operations that rely primarily on GPS waypoint navigation and automated flight modes, this position requires strong hands-on aircraft control skills, including manual takeoffs, landings, pattern work, energy management, and aircraft recovery operations. Candidates with experience operating radio-controlled (RC), giant-scale model aircraft, aerobatic aircraft, military UAS, or other manually controlled air vehicles are strongly encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate will contribute to test planning, flight execution, system integration, data collection, reporting, instructor development, and operational support activities in accordance with NAVAIR, NATOPS, and DCMA flight operations guidance.
This is not a commercial drone operator position—it is a developmental flight test role supporting Navy aviation programs and emerging autonomous systems technologies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The S-UAS Operator will:
Flight Operations & Air Vehicle Control
- Operate Group 1–3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) flight operations and technology demonstrations.
- Serve as an Air Vehicle Operator/Pilot (AVO/AVP) performing both external and internal pilot duties as required by mission objectives and aircraft configuration.
- Execute manual line-of-sight (LOS) flight operations utilizing handheld transmitters, Ground Control Stations (GCS), tablets, or other approved flight control interfaces. Conduct manual takeoffs, landings, pattern work, maneuvering, and contingency procedures while maintaining aircraft orientation, energy management, and safe flight profiles.
- Conduct ground launch and recovery operations, aircraft staging, support equipment setup, post-flight safing, and other flight-line activities required to support daily flight operations.
- Operate fixed-wing, rotary-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned aircraft systems in accordance with approved flight procedures, safety requirements, and mission objectives.
- Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight activities including mission preparation, system configuration, aircraft inspections, checklist execution, and mission debriefs.
Test Planning & Mission Execution
- Support developmental and operational flight test activities by participating in test planning, mission development, test card preparation, and execution of approved test procedures.
- Participate in mission briefs, test readiness reviews, safety reviews, risk assessments, and post-flight debriefs to ensure safe and effective mission accomplishment.
- Coordinate with Flight Test Engineers (FTEs), Project Officers, Government personnel, military operators, and other test team members to achieve program objectives.
- Serve as a project lead or project officer for assigned test activities, supporting mission planning, execution, documentation, and coordination across multiple stakeholders.
Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting
- Collect, annotate, and document flight test data during mission execution.
- Support post-flight analysis activities, quick-look assessments, discrepancy investigations, and evaluation of system performance.
- Prepare technical reports, flight summaries, deficiency reports, operational observations, and other documentation supporting test objectives and program requirements.
- Assist in identifying system limitations, performance trends, and corrective actions to improve operational effectiveness and mission success.
System Integration, Maintenance & Troubleshooting
- Configure, integrate, modify, and maintain UAS platforms, payloads, avionics, communications equipment, and associated support systems for test operations.
- Support integration and operation of autopilot systems, Ground Control Stations, command-and-control links, payload systems, and emerging autonomous technologies.
- Perform troubleshooting, repair, preventive maintenance, and system upgrades to ensure aircraft readiness and mission availability.
- Assist with airworthiness evaluations, system checkout procedures, and configuration management activities supporting developmental test programs.
Aircrew Development & Operational Support
- Support qualification, training, and mentorship of newly assigned operators and aircrew personnel as experience and designation permit.
- Maintain currency and proficiency in assigned aircraft systems, flight procedures, and operational requirements.
- Support flight operations involving prototype systems, experimental technologies, counter-UAS capabilities, autonomy development efforts, and other emerging mission areas.
Logistics & Detachment Operations
- Prepare aircraft, support equipment, and mission systems for transportation, deployment, and field operations.
- Support CONUS and OCONUS detachments, including mission preparation, site setup, flight operations, teardown, inventory accountability, and logistics coordination.
- Assist with packing, shipping, receiving, inventory management, and sustainment activities required to support deployed operations and test events.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of UX-24, Naval Test Wing Atlantic, and associated UAS test and evaluation programs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 500+ hours Group 1–3 UAS flight experience (documented)
- 3+ years of RDT&E experience (developmental or operational test)
- Demonstrated proficiency conducting manual flight operations of Group 1-3 UAS using handheld transmitters, RC controllers, or equivalent ground control systems.
- Demonstrated experience operating Group 1 - 3 UAS in structured or mission-driven environments
- Demonstrated familiarity with:
- Autopilot systems (e.g., Pixhawk or similar)
- Ground Control Stations (GCS)
- UAS integration and modification
- Demonstrated ability to operate in a disciplined flight test environment
- Active Secret clearance
- Ability and willingness to travel CONUS/OCONUS (~25%)
- Active FAA Class 2 or 3 Medical certificate
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Experience flying giant-scale, aerobatic, competitive, or advanced radio-controlled aircraft.
- Previous designation as a Military UAS Air Vehicle Operator/Pilot.
- Familiarity with NAVAIR / NTWL / RDT&E processes, test documentation and reporting
- Experience supporting flight test teams or T&E environments
- Relevant flight time in larger, semi-automatic, Group 2 or 3 air vehicles
- Payload integration (ISR, sensors, etc.)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and web-based collaborative resources such as SharePoint and Microsoft Teams
ABSI Aerospace & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind: ABSI is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ABSI are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. ABSI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
