Field Service Representative Instructor II

AeroVironment, Inc.; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental Vision

401K matching

9/80 schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Field Service Representative Instructor II to operate and instruct Unmanned Aircraft Systems in field settings, ensuring safety and adherence to procedures.

You will oversee flight demonstrations and coordinate with customers and internal teams to support demonstrations and training events. The role involves on-site customer support, updates to equipment and software, and mentoring small groups of students and instructors to meet course objectives.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Prior military experience or equivalent training in aircraft/aerospace manufacturing.
• Demonstrated understanding of military tactics, operations, GPS and navigation.
• Proficient with common office productivity tools.

Responsibilities

• Operates, instructs, and evaluates UAS in the field.
• Performs and oversees flight demonstrations in support of AV product line & BD.
• Coordinates with agencies and customers to plan personnel/equipment for Flight Demo Events.
• Provides on-site software/hardware upgrades & refresher training; supports equipment deliveries.

Skills

UAS operations

Flight demonstrations

Safety procedures

Customer coordination

Microsoft Office

Education

High School diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The Field Service Representative (FSR) Instructor II operates and provides instruction and evaluation on Medium UAS (MUAS), specifically the Jump20 platform, in the field. In this role, one ensures all MUAS flight and ground operations follow established procedures and are conducted safely. Additionally, the FSR Instructor II is responsible for the oversight of execution of flight demonstrations and conducting health and well-being checks of customer systems to include assisting in the development of methods, guidelines and policies to facilitate efficient service delivery. This role assists Business Development, Product Line Managers, Program Managers, Customer Service and Marketing. The Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) and Mechanic (Mech) FSR II works with engineering, technical support and manufacturing to ensure that course material reflects current product features.

Position Responsibilities

• Operates, instructs, and evaluates on Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) in the field
• Performs and oversees flight demonstrations in Support of AV product line & Business Development
• Coordinates directly with all agencies and customers, internal & external, to plan and coordinate personnel/equipment in support of Flight Demo Events
• As required, provides customer on-site software/hardware upgrades & repairs, refresher training, assists with new equipment deliveries/inventory and conducts periodic customer site visits to assess customer mission readiness
• Represents AV's products and services as a subject matter expert, attending periodic DOD & International UAS user meetings at conferences, exhibitions and symposiums
• Works with customers to understand CONOPS and shape how AV's products provide solutions to customers
• Assists BD in capturing new business leads and follow-on orders
• Ensures all system flight and ground operations follow established procedures and are conducted safely
• Conducts all necessary UAS equipment, and material inventories
• Immediately advise Flight Training Manager, customer representatives, and controlling authorities of any changes affecting the planned MUAS training flight operations
• Maintains proper operational status of MUAS and supporting operational systems
• Maintains situational awareness of the air vehicle's location, in-flight status, and threats to the aircraft from the air and ground
• Constantly monitors whether on-site and along intended flight paths
• Continually re-evaluates risk assessments & take appropriate actions to mitigate any elevated risk levels
• Completes all documentation required for flight operations, equipment operational status, data collection, and post-flight procedures
• Captures critical information for input into after-action reports and lessons learned databases
• Effectively leads, trains and mentors small groups of students and Instructors in meeting course objectives
• Applies company policies and procedures to resolve complex issues
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and supervises & coordinates activities of others
• Conducts Flight Evaluations and is qualified as an Evaluator in their respective specialty (AVO or Mech).
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• High School diploma or GED equivalent is required
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of experience and education
• Prior military experience or equivalent training experience in an aircraft / aerospace manufacturing firm
• Demonstrated understanding of military tactics, operations, GPS and Navigation utilizing map and compass
• Experienced interpreting a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, blueprint or sketches
• Demonstrated basic computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Clean driving record required in order to drive company vehicles
• Must pass and maintain a medical and dental exam for deployment(s)
• Because of various out-of-area training/maintenance requirements, must be available on both short and long-term deployments away from home, both CONUS and OCONUS consisting of up to 80% travel.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree is highly preferred
• Prior military instructor/Special Operations experience highly desirable
• Prefer Special Forces, SEAL, Special Tactics, Ranger, Force Recon / MARSOC, Scout, Forward Observer, TACP, or Aviation backgrounds
• Prior hobby experience with Remote Controlled (RC) aircraft helpful but not required
• Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
• Demonstrates communication skills as well as interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with others across disciplines
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products

Physical Demands

• Lift and/or move between 20-30 lbs. of cases of varying size (Frequent)
• Lift up to 50 pounds as well as objects of varying sizes for shipment to & set up at various training sites (Occasional)
• Able to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions and traverse across uneven ground and varying terrain (Frequent)
• Stand and/or sit for long periods of time (Constant)
• Balancing, handling, fine manipulation and grasping (Frequent)
• Good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble product (Frequent)
• Crouching, reaching and keying (Frequent)
• Climbing, stooping, kneeling, feeling, overhead lifting (Occasional)
• Should be accustomed to isolation and is expected to work long irregular hours, weekends and holidays and in difficult situations and environments.

Clearance Level

Secret

Salary Range

$34 - $53

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• medical
• dental vision
• 401K with company matching
• a 9/80 work schedule
• a paid holiday shutdown

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV

AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don't just build defense technology- we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian- but we're not building history, we're building what's next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there's no better place to do it than AV.

AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don't just build defense technology- we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian- but we're not building history, we're building what's next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there's no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us. Careers at AeroVironment