Air Vehicle Pilot/Air Vehicle Operator- Group 1-3

AVIAN LLC; Patuxent Highland (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

AVIAN LLC in Patuxent River, MD, seeks an Unmanned Air Systems Air Vehicle Operator/ Pilot to fly Group 1-3 UAS for RDT&E. You will act as internal/external operator and ground launch/recovery crew, supporting data collection and test execution.

Requirements include a high school diploma, U.S. citizenship, ability to obtain FAA Class 2 medical certificate, and a minimum secret clearance (top secret desirable). This employee-owned team offers meaningful impact and career growth.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma.
• The candidate will serve as UAS operator, both internal operator (console in ground control station) and external operator (controller box/tablet).
• Minimum Secret Clearance; Top Secret desired.

Responsibilities

• Pilot UAS Group 1-3 aircraft during RDT&E flight requirements.
• Serve as a UAS operator, internal/external AVO/AVP and ground launch/recovery crew as required.
• Support ground maintenance and testing of assigned UAS.
• Support test data collection and delivery to test data analysis facilities as required.
• Participate in pre-mission planning for test missions.
• Planning, executing, and reporting for developmental test projects.
• Coordinate with project engineers to develop test points, test cards, and test metrics.
• Write test reports.
• Communicate with project stakeholders on results and mission impact.

Skills

UAS operation

Ground control station

FAA medical certificate

Secret clearance

US citizenship

Test planning

Team leadership

PAX River airspace knowledge

AVP instructor qualification

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Overview

About the Role

AVIAN is looking for an Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Air Vehicle Operator (AVO)/Air Vehicle Pilot (AVP) to operate Group 1-3 platforms during research development test & evaluation (RDT&E) flight requirements. The UAS AVO/AVP may serve as both an internal/external AVO/AVP and ground launch/recovery crew.

Join a Company Where You Can Make a Real Impact - and Own a Piece of the Future

Are you energized by the idea of helping a company grow smarter, serve our customers better, and connect more deeply? Do you thrive in an environment where your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your work drives real results? If so, we'd love to meet you.

We're a mid-sized, employee-owned company on a mission to create meaningful value for both our employees and our customers. That means we're not just looking for someone to fill a seat - we're looking for someone who wants to build, innovate, and evolve with us.

Our company primarily serves the Navy and other Department of Defense clients, offering a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a difference.

Responsibilities

• Pilot UAS Group 1-3 aircraft during RDT&E flight requirements.
• Serve as a UAS operator, internal/external AVO/AVP and ground launch/recovery crew as required.
• Support ground maintenance and testing of assigned UAS.
• Support test data collection compilation efforts by ensuring that all data items are collected, annotated, and delivered to test data analysis facilities as required.
• Participate in pre-mission planning for test missions
• Planning, executing, and reporting for developmental test projects.
• Coordinating with project engineers to develop test points, test cards, and test metrics.
• Writing test reports
• Communicating with project stakeholders on results and mission impact.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma
• The candidate will serve as UAS operator, both internal operator (utilizing a console inside a ground control station) and as an external operator (controlling the air vehicle using a controller box /tablet).
• When not in control of an air vehicle, the AVO/AVP may also be required to act as ground launch/recovery crew as required.
• Minimum Secret Clearance; Top Secret desired.
• Ability to get and maintain an FAA Class 2 medical certificate.
• Due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Salary range: $110,000 to $125,000 ( The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.)

Desired Qualifications

• Familiar with EW, Radar and Electro-Optical Counter UAS Systems and test techniques and methods.
• Relevant flight time in larger, semi-automatic, Group 2/3 air vehicles (such as Scan Eagle, AeroSonde).
• Group 1-3 UAS; Rotary and Fixed Wing Pilot designations
• Experience with NAVAIR Test Planning and Reporting processes
• Team Leadership Experience - Manpower, Planning, Scheduling, Resource AllocationFamiliarity with PAX River Airspace, it's use and scheduling
• Previous AVP Instructor Qualification

About being a part of Team AVIAN

As an employee-owner, you'll be a catalyst for progress - helping us find new opportunities with current or new customers, company efficiencies, streamline processes, and bring people and ideas together in smarter ways. Whether it's helping us optimize workflows, enhancing the employee experience, or delivering more impactful solutions to our customers, your inputs will have reach and relevance across the organization.

Taking care of each other is a cornerstone of our AVIAN philosophy. Being part of the AVIAN team means being part of a team that takes pride in being expansive in our community because our impact doesn't stop in the workplace. We actively engage in community initiatives, empowering our employees to make a meaningful difference.

You’ll Succeed Here If You ...

• See opportunities where others see routine
• Are curious, collaborative, and passionate about making things better
• Enjoy connecting dots across teams, tools, and tasks
• Believe in doing the right thing the right way - even when no one's watching
• Play an active role in our growth, using your ideas and initiative to shape how we work, serve, and succeed together
• Embrace a "one team" mindset knowing we are stronger together through trust, transparency and teamwork.
• Understand the power of ownership - and are excited to be part of an employee-owned culture

Why Join Us?

• Employee Ownership : We're not just building a company - we're building a legacy. As an employee-owner, you'll share in our success and have a direct stake in our future.
• Real Growth : We're expanding, evolving, and exploring new ways to serve. Your contributions will shape our direction and help we be more successful.
• Purpose-Driven Work : Every improvement you help make is one that adds value - not just for us, but for the people and missions w