Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator

Stealth Mode; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A stealth-mode startup headquartered in California is seeking an experienced Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator to conduct flight tests on high-speed aerial targets. Responsibilities include piloting a variety of remotely-piloted vehicles and supporting software integration efforts. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of flying experience, a strong safety mindset, and a familiarity with autopilot systems. This hands-on, mission-critical role involves travel between El Segundo and testing locations in the Mojave desert.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience flying RC aircraft, drones, or UAS.
• Demonstrated skill flying high-performance or high-speed aircraft.
• Familiarity with ArduPilot and standard radio protocols.

Responsibilities

• Pilot high-performance RC jets and multirotor systems during testing.
• Maintain positive control of aircraft during flight.
• Support flight software engineers with autopilot integrations.

Skills

Flying high-performance aircraft

Situational awareness

Safety mindset

RC aircraft operation

Tools

ArduPilot

Mission Planner

QGroundControl

Job description

About The Company

We are a stealth‑mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in El Segundo, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop, ABL and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff‑level military leadership and top‑tier Silicon Valley rms. We're assembling a high‑agency team committed to moving fast, solving hard problems, and defending what matters most. With a world‑class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator to support the flying, development, testing, and evaluation of next‑generation high‑speed aerial targets and autonomous flight systems. You will fly a wide range of remotely‑piloted vehicles—from high‑speed RC jets to low‑speed target drones, heavy‑lift quadcopters, and custom R&D platforms. This role is hands‑on and mission‑critical; you will be directly involved in preparing aircraft, executing flight operations, and supporting autopilot tuning and integration efforts (ArduPilot/ArduPlane/ArduCopter).

You will work closely with flight software, GNC, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure safe and reliable flight test execution across multiple development programs.

Responsibilities

Travel

• The role will be split between El Segundo and trips to the Mojave desert for testing.

Flight Operations

• Pilot high‑performance RC jets, fixed‑wing target drones, and multirotor systems during ground and flight testing.
• Execute pre‑flight, post‑flight, and safety checklists with discipline.
• Maintain positive control of aircraft during nominal flights and during upset or emergency scenarios.
• Provide real‑time feedback to engineering teams regarding aircraft behavior, anomalies, or flight envelope limitations.

Aircraft Preparation & Maintenance

• Assist with aircraft assembly, configuration, repair, and rapid turnaround.
• Set up radios, transmitters, telemetry, FPV links, batteries, propulsion systems, and safety systems.
• Ensure airframes and propulsion systems are field‑ready and meet test requirements.

Autopilot Development Support

• Support flight software and GNC engineers with ArduPilot‑based integrations (ArduPlane, ArduCopter, Mission Planner, QGC, etc.).
• Perform manual flight testing to characterise aircraft dynamics prior to autopilot engagement.
• Assist with tuning PID loops, navigation parameters, launch parameters, and failsafes.
• Help review logs and flight data to identify tuning needs or hardware issues.

Test & Operations Support

• Contribute to test card creation, range coordination, and safe test execution.
• Operate ground control stations, RF links, and telemetry systems during tests.
• Participate in risk reviews, safety briefings, and incident analysis.
• Support field operations including set‑up, teardown, and transportation of equipment.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years experience flying RC aircraft, drones, or UAS (fixed‑wing + multirotor).
• Demonstrated skill flying high‑performance or high‑speed aircraft (EDF jets, turbine jets, or equivalent).
• Experience with RC transmitters, flight modes, failsafes, and standard radio protocols.
• Ability to diagnose and repair basic airframe, propulsion, and avionics issues under time pressure.Familiarity with ArduPilot, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar autopilot ecosystems.
• Strong situational awareness and disciplined safety mindset.
• Ability to travel for flight tests and work in outdoor environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience flying large/heavy‑lift multi‑rotors or hybrid VTOL systems.
• Experience tuning ArduPilot, PX4, Betaflight, or other autopilot systems.
• Familiarity with autonomous flight testing and data review (logs, telemetry, onboard captures).
• Experience with high‑speed FPV, long‑range links, or high‑G manoeuvring aircraft.
• FAA Part 107 certification.
• Background in aerospace, robotics, or mechanical/electrical engineering.