External Pilot

Cessna Aircraft Company; Cockeysville (MD); On-site; USD 42,705 - 63,769; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid time-off

Job summary

Cessna Aircraft Company is looking for an External Pilot to provide support for Uncrewed Land and Air Systems initiatives. You will operate various aircraft and engage in research and development activities.

The ideal candidate will have two years of Aerosonde experience or five years of R/C aircraft expertise. Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, flight testing, and liaising with engineering teams. Competitive pay and benefits are offered for this role.

Qualifications

• Two years of Aerosonde/UAS experience or 5 years of competition-level R/C experience.
• Desirable FAA licenses or certificates such as Part 107.
• Experience with radio datalinks and mesh networks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an Aerosonde External Pilot for demo and research operations.
• Perform integration and inspection of UAS equipment.
• Maintain logs and flight records.

Skills

Aerosonde/UAS experience

FAA licenses or certificates

Effective communication skills

Knowledge of GPS systems

Mechanical or electrical aptitude

Job description

Job Description - External Pilot (342357)

Job Number: 342357

Who We Are

We are Textron Systems, best known for innovative defense technologies and services. We make things that fly, hover, zoom and launch—things that move people, protect soldiers, and power industries. We serve customers in aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care, and fuel systems. Textron Inc is a world‑leading multi‑industry company with powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, E‑Z‑GO and many more.

About This Role

This role provides external pilot support to the Uncrewed Land and Air Systems initiatives. In this capacity you will fly various aircraft, from Group 1 to Group 3 UAS, in both fixed‑wing and VTOL platforms. The position focuses on research and development activities including new product integration, implementation and testing on the ground and in flight, system capability demonstration flights, and New Aircraft Check‑Out (NACO) of production UAS platforms worldwide. Additional duties include emplacement, displacement, inspection, maintenance and replenishment of ground equipment, logbook recording, and travel both domestic and international.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an Aerosonde External Pilot supporting training, demonstration, and research/development operations.
• Represent the Aerosonde R&D team in coordinating local flight test needs.
• Perform integration, troubleshooting, emplacement, displacement, inspection, disposition, repair, and replenishment of associated equipment.
• Maintain accurate logbooks, flight records, and COLTS documentation.
• Manage frequency deconfliction, airspace reservations, and test site preparation, including requisitioning supplemental ground support equipment.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert for operator and maintenance issues.
• Assist multiple engineering disciplines with integration and product improvement testing.
• Prepare test engineering work products, including plans, procedures, and reports, for internal review teams and external customers.
• Support off‑site testing and demonstrations.
• Perform lab maintenance, safety audits, and material tracking.
• Act as liaison between engineering, training, and publications teams and other users.
• Use hand tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, taps, and drills.
• Operate electronic and mechanical test equipment.

Qualifications

• Two years of Aerosonde/UAS experience is highly desirable; otherwise, 5 years of competition‑level R/C airplane experience and proficiency as an R/C helicopter pilot.
• FAA licenses or certificates such as Part 107 are desirable.
• Experience with radio datalinks, mesh networks, and frequency bands.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 50 % domestically, with international travel possible.
• Knowledge of GPS systems, electronic speed controllers, and small electronic devices.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks.
• Capability to work in extreme weather conditions.
• Team‑player orientation with minimal supervision.
• General mechanical or electrical aptitude.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Availability for extended hours to meet program goals.
• Working knowledge of UAS and military hardware is a plus.
• Ability to work in tight quarters and confined spaces.

Eligible to obtain and maintain a US Government SECRET security clearance and an FAA Class II medical certificate.

Textron’s compensation package includes competitive base pay and a range of benefit programs such as health, prescription, dental, family building, vision, mental health resources, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement planning, life and disability insurance, and paid time‑off. The pay range is $31.00–$46.29 per hour.

EEO Statement

Textron is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.