P3MS is searching for a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) pilot capable for flying Groups 1, 2, and smaller Group 3 aircraft, as well as the skills and knowledge to build custom aircraft. The ideal candidate is a true enthusiast with their own custom build platforms that get crashed, repaired, and tweaked. The job is to support R&D for the Department of Defense to develop systems to counter unmanned aircraft flown by adversaries. You're basically a red team pilot who flies lots of test trials to try to penetrate defensive systems. The aircraft that you'll build and maintain need to carry different payloads to collect data about the effectiveness of systems under test. Sometimes you'll fly standard DJI quadcopters and sometimes you'll fly tricked out octocopters and everything in-between, to include fixed wing platforms, surrogates and replicas. About 30% is spent flying, around 70% is working on aircraft (to include fabricating parts for 3D printers), tweaking software on controllers, telemetry, and ground control stations. FPV skills are a plus. Being a whiz at Pixhawk and Mission Planner (ArduPilot) will put you near the top of the list. Coding experience with Python is even better. We know that we're asking for a lot, but it's a great job with great benefits and a chance to take your career to the next level. Here's the catch: You must be a US Citizen with a clean background who is willing to undergo an extensive background investigation. Are you ready to get started? Send us a resume and we'll get back to you right away.
The ideal candidate:
1. Is self-motivated and extremely driven to succeed.
2. Prefers hands-on work that spans aerospace, mechanical, and electrical design.
3. Has a passion for R/C aircraft design, prototyping, and flight.
4. Will take ownership of a project from start to finish.
Typical tasks include:
1. Perform maintenance, disassembly, rework, repair, replacement, reassembly or adjustment of aircraft and subsystems in accordance with technical specifications, engineering instructions, and applicable regulations.
2. Perform launch and recovery including preflight inspections, operational checks, installing and payloads (cameras, datalinks, and test instrumentation), and postflight inspections.
3. Design and prototype mechanisms or other modifications for integrating test instrumentation and other payloads onto aircraft that includes appropriate documentation to support air worthiness reviews.
4. Maintain applicable required records, manuals, and inspection forms to include deficiency reports, maintenance analysis documents, configuration data changes, and other equipment records.
5. Interpret technical documentation including schematics, wiring diagrams, and software interfaces to determine the optimum approach for integrating payloads and other components onto aircraft.
6. Troubleshoot, isolate, and correct electrical, mechanical, and software malfunctions in minimum time using technical publications and analytic techniques.
7. Handle and protect proprietary information, intellectual property, and other sensitive information.
This position requires the following qualifications:
1. U.S. Citizen with clean background to obtain a security clearance (Required)
2. Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related field and a minimum of two years of UAS work experience (preferred) or a high school diploma with formal UAS training and a minimum of four years of UAS work experience.
3. Documented work history operating and maintaining unmanned aircraft, flight controllers, power systems, sensors, navigation, communications, and radio-controlled solutions. (Required)
4. Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with small UAS rating. (Required)
5. Current FAA Class III medical certificate or capable of being medically cleared. (Required)
6. Strong technology background and knowledge of troubleshooting techniques to include analytical and research skills for investigating problem solutions. (Required)
7. Considerable knowledge and experience with hand tools, soldering, and standard lab test equipment. (Required)
8. Experience integrating electrical and mechanical systems with microprocessors, logic controllers, motors, sensors, and actuators. (Desired)
9. Experience with prototype fabrication, including 3D printing and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machining. (Desired)
10. SolidWorks expertise or similar Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) experience. (Desired)
Clearance Requirements
Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $76,000.00 - $98,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Unmanned Aircraft: 2 years (Preferred)
- Pixhawk: 1 year (Preferred)
- Mission Planner (Ardupilot): 1 year (Preferred)
- Python: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- FAA Class III Medical Certificate (Preferred)
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (Preferred)
Security clearance:
Ability to Relocate:
- Fort Bragg, NC 28307: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
