Chief Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Systems

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Chief Pilot for the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence.

You will lead UAS and traditional flight operations, oversee a team of specialists, and coordinate training, research, and services for internal and external stakeholders. Minimum 5 years in aviation/UAS/AAM required with FAA pilot certs; a strong focus on safety, compliance, and business development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of related aviation, UAS, or AAM experience.
• Active FAA certifications including Remote Pilot, Private, Commercial, and Instrument ratings.
• FAA Second Class Medical or ability to obtain one is required.
• Experience with UAS, AAM, and traditional aircraft operations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute UAS, AAM, CTOL/VTOL, and traditional flight operations for training and client support.
• Drive revenue opportunities through client engagement and proposals.
• Represent the Sinclair brand in national and international demonstrations and outreach.
• Maintain readiness of facilities, equipment, crew qualifications, and training resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Skills

Remote Pilot Certificate

Private Pilot Certificate

Commercial Pilot Certificate

Instrument Rating

Flight Instructor Certificates

FAA Second Class Medical

UAS/AAM experience

Project management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA)

Private Pilot Certificate (FAA)

Commercial Pilot Certificate (FAA)

Instrument Rating (FAA)

Flight Instructor Certificates (FAA)

FAA Second Class Medical

Tools

Industry-specific software packages

Job description

Position Information

Job Title: Chief Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Systems

Location: National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE)

Job Number: 05511

Department: Unmanned Aerial Systems

Job Category: Professional

Job Type: Full-Time

Status: Regular

Job Open Date: 08/07/2026

Resume Review Date: 08/24/2026

Closing Date: 08/23/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Position Summary

The Chief Pilot position exists to manage and execute the vision of the National UAS Training and Certification Center, with a focus on Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), electric Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing (eVTOL), traditional aircraft flight operations, as well as client and partner collaborations and support. The Chief Pilot leads a team of technical experts and UAS and traditional aircraft crew members to conduct training and education, applied research and development, services, crew currency and compliance, and other operational tasks for internal and external stakeholders. The position supports revenue generation goals working with other senior personnel in the UAS department.

The potential minimum compensation for this position begins at $59,661.00 and is commensurate with education and experience.

Why work for Sinclair College?

• Tuition waiver for employee and dependents for all Sinclair courses and programs
• Support for continued training and education, including tuition reimbursement for other universities and colleges.
• OPERS pension participation, with 14% employer contribution
• 4+ weeks of personal and vacation leave, 3+ weeks of sick leave annually
• 14 days of annually observed company holidays
• Expansive and competitive insurance programs, including an HSA with annual employer contribution available
• High quality programs for work-life balance

*SCC has the right to revise this position description at anytime. This position description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

Principal Accountabilities

• Organize and execute UAS, AAM Conventional-Take-Off-and-Landing (CTOL) and Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing (VTOL), and traditional aircraft flight operations, lab activities, and customer and partner engagements leading a team of technical experts and UAS, AAM CTOL and VTOL, and traditional aircraft crewmembers
• Advance revenue generation opportunities including meetings with current or potential clients and support of proposal development
• Support public awareness of UAS and AAM and advance the Sinclair brand nationally and internationally through demonstrations, speaking engagements, and other outreach activities
• Manage condition and readiness of UAS facilities, equipment, vehicles, crew qualifications/currency, and training and other resources including those associated with AAM CTOL and VTOL and traditional aircraft to ensure ability to support standard and potential emergency aircraft operations and client support
• Perform other duties assigned by the Chief Research Officer or Deputy Director for Unmanned Aerial Systems

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related topic required; master’s degree in a related topic preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of related aviation, UAS, or AAM industry work experience required
• Background in aviation with traditional aircraft, AAM, and UAS related experience required
• Current Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required
• Current Private Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA required
• Current Commercial Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA required
• Current Instrument Rating issued by the FAA required
• Current Certified Flight Instructor and Flight Instructor — Instrument Ratings issued by the FAA required
• Current or ability to obtain an FAA Second Class Medical required
• Proven prior strategic planning and project management experience preferred
• Strong personnel management, team building, team interaction and conflict resolution skills required
• Strong organizational and analytical skills required
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships withinternal and external customers and partners required
• Strong PC skills, including standard office tools and industry-specific software packages required
• UAS operational flight experience on a variety of small UAS required
• Certification through UAS, AAM, or traditional aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorized training program is preferred
• Traditional aircraft fixed-wing flight experience required
• Traditional aircraft helicopter flight experience preferred
• Familiarity with and ability to instruct using UAS and AAM simulators preferred
• Familiarity with and ability to instruct using traditional aircraft simulators and flight training devices preferred
• Ability to create and use appropriate tools to manage people and tasks required
• Experience in building an internal/external team to execute tactical operations and advance strategic and business strategies required
• Excellent oral and written communication and listening skills, including experience in preparing and delivering proposals, reports and presentations required
• Demonstrated experience developing, packaging, and delivering educational/training content preferred
• Ability to read, research, and comprehend technical and regulatory documents required
• Demonstrated experience managing a wide variety of technical and operational projects required
• Proven ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships required
• U.S. Citizenship preferred
• U.S. Passport preferred

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you meet the education requirements for the position as listed in the job posting?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you meet the work experience requirements of this position as described?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Bachelor's Transcript

Optional Documents

1. Other