Advanced Drone Operator

Allen Control Systems; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ACS Equity Package

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off

Job summary

A cutting-edge defense startup in Austin is looking for a skilled drone operator to help expand flight operations. The role involves operating and maintaining drones, executing complex flight missions, and collaborating with engineering teams for data collection. Candidates must be Part 107 certified, have significant experience in drone operations, and possess strong problem-solving abilities. The company offers a competitive salary, equity package, and comprehensive health benefits.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in printing, building, and flying drones.
• 3+ years of relevant drone operation or robotics experience.
• Operational understanding of drone usage in current conflicts.
• Proficient in Mission Planner and Beta Flight.
• Familiar with data collection for computer vision/analytics.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain drones for testing, evaluation, and operational missions.
• Plan and execute complex flight missions.
• Document flight operations and maintain logs.
• Collaborate with engineering and data teams to collect aerial data for CV model training.
• Conduct flight tests and evaluate performance, feeding insights into drone design and procedures.
• Document flight operations, maintain logs, and support mission debriefs.

Skills

Part 107 certified pilot

Drone operation experience

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

3+ years robotics experience

Tools

Mission Planner

Beta Flight

Job description

Company Overview

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.

Position Overview

We are expanding our flight operations capability and opening a new role for a highly skilled drone operator who is experienced in building, configuring, and flying advanced UAV systems. This person will play a key role in executing flight tests, evaluating drone performance, and supporting real-world operational requirements. You will serve as an additional Part 107 certified pilot to meet our growing testing and mission needs.

What You'll Do

• Operate and maintain drones for testing, evaluation, and operational missions.
• Plan and execute complex flight missions using Mission Planner and Beta Flight.
• Build, configure, and troubleshoot drone hardware and software systems.
• Collaborate with engineering and data teams to collect and validate aerial data for computer vision model training.
• Conduct flight tests to evaluate performance and integrate feedback into drone design and operational procedures.
• Document flight operations, maintain detailed logs, and support mission debriefs.

What You'll Need

• Part 107 certified pilot.
• Hands‑on experience in printing, building, and flying drones for offensive operations.
• Operational understanding of how drones are being used in current conflicts around the world.
• Proficient in Mission Planner and Beta Flight for mission planning and drone control.
• Familiarity with data collection and integration into computer vision or analytics workflows.
• 3+ years of relevant drone operation or robotics experience.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work in dynamic, experimental environments.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• ACS Equity Package
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.