Drone Operations Crew Member (Pilot in Training)

Pitch Aeronautics; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Short-term disability insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid holidays

Flexible work schedule

120 hrs of paid time off

Additional PTO benefits for field部署

Field deployment PTO accrual for field

Job summary

Pitch Aeronautics in Boise, ID is hiring a Drone Operations Crew Member (Pilot in Training). You will prepare aircraft, support ground operations, and assist the pilot during installs and test flights as you follow a training path toward piloting Astria.

This field role involves multi-day trips and long days when the weather window opens, with operations under FAA Part 107 rules and customer requirements. You’ll grow in a fast-moving startup environment, collaborating with a small, driven team.

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or ability to earn within 90 days.
• Willingness to travel for multi-day field deployments.
• Valid driver's license with clean record; comfortable towing a trailer.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to follow checklists precisely.
• Physically able to carry equipment and work outdoors.
• Clear, calm communication when plans change.

Responsibilities

• Serve as ground crew and visual observer during sensor installs and tests.
• Prepare aircraft, batteries, payloads, and sensors; inspect and log maintenance.
• Set up ground control station and related telemetry tools.
• Pull flight logs and upload for engineering review.
• Transport and set up field equipment and vehicle.
• Support site surveys, airspace checks, and weather go/no-go decisions.
• Assist test runs with aircraft and control software changes in Boise.
• Adhere to FAA Part 107 rules and customer requirements.
• Document field issues and relay feedback to engineering.
• Progress through pilot training toward pilot-in-command on Astria.

Skills

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Willing to travel frequently

Valid driver's license

Mechanical aptitude

Able to carry equipment outdoors

Clear communication

Job description

Drone Operations Crew Member (Pilot in Training)

Boise, ID

Full time

Pitch Aeronautics installs WireWarrior weather sensors on live utility transmission lines with Astria, our custom heavy-lift install drone. We are growing rapidly, and we need more people in the field. You'll join our Drone Ops team as a crew member: preparing aircraft and equipment, supporting ground operations, and supporting the pilot during installs and test flights. Along the way, you'll follow a training path toward flying Astria yourself. Field work is weather and customer driven, so expect multi-day trips and long days when the weather window is open.

About Pitch Aeronautics Inc.

Pitch Aeronautics (www.pitchaero.com) is a rapidly growing startup creating game-changing solutions for the utility industry. Pitch has developed a drone to install our line sensor, bird diverters, and other equipment on power lines. Our drone-deployable line sensors wirelessly transmit environmental and line characteristics to an online secure API to help utilities push more power through existing lines, prevent wildfires, and improve grid reliability.

At Pitch we’ve fostered a collaborative, fun, “get-stuff-done” working environment. We believe in moving fast and creating products and prototypes rapidly. If you’re looking for a place where you can make a difference on day one, be empowered to achieve, and love working in small teams, we want to meet you!

Responsibilities

• Serve as ground crew and visual observer during sensor installs and test flights: run checklists, manage comms, and keep the site safe.
• Prepare aircraft, batteries, payloads, and sensors before deployments, and inspect and log maintenance after flights.
• Set up and run the ground control station: QGroundControl, Mission Planner, telemetry radios, and GNSS tools.
• Pull flight logs after each flight and upload them for engineering review.
• Pack, transport, and set up field equipment, including the truck and trailer.
• Support site surveys, airspace checks, and weather go/no-go calls with the Drone Ops PM.
• Support test-stand runs and test flights in Boise as aircraft and control software change.
• Follow FAA Part 107 rules, Pitch’s internal safety rules, and each utility customer's UAS work requirements.
• Document field issues and feed them back to engineering quickly.
• Progress through our pilot training plan toward pilot-in-command on Astria.

Minimum Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or able to earn it within 90 days of hire.
• Willing and able to travel frequently for multi-day to multi-week field deployments, including long field days outdoors in variable weather.
• Valid driver's license and a clean driving record; comfortable towing a trailer.
• Mechanical aptitude and the discipline to follow checklists every time.
• Physically able to carry equipment and work outdoors on uneven terrain.
• Clear, calm communication, especially when things don't go to plan.

Desired Qualifications

• Drone flying experience: commercial, military UAS, or hobby FPV.
• Aviation background: pilot certificate, aircrew, or aircraft maintenance.
• Familiarity with PX4 or ArduPilot and QGroundControl or Mission Planner.
• Field experience around energized equipment: utility, lineman, or electrical construction.
• Basic electronics and soldering for field repairs.

Benefits

• 120 hrs of paid time off
• Additional PTO benefits for field deployments
• Field deployment PTO accrual for install travel
• Health Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule

In accordance with federal requirements and regulations, Pitch Aeronautics does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.