Senior Technician, Unmanned System Test Operator (R5413)

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an HMS UAS Operations Technician to execute surrogate flight tests, prep aircraft, configure systems, and support autonomy testing across laboratory, ground, and flight environments.

You will lead operations for Group 1/2 UAS platforms, ensuring aircraft readiness, complying with safety standards, and coordinating with software, safety, and flight teams. U.S. citizenship and SECRET clearance are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience operating and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms in test, military, commercial, or operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, ground control stations, communications systems, and payload integration.
• Experience developing, implementing, and executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational processes.
• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, NAS operations, airspace coordination, and flight authorization requirements.
• Experience conducting flight operations in dynamic and complex test environments.
• Strong organizational, communication, and mission planning skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with software, systems, safety, and flight operations personnel.
• FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAS operational experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Operate flight test platforms in support of daily fly-fix-fly verification activities.
• Serve as a primary operator for Group 1/2 UAS platforms during developmental and operational testing.
• Configure, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot aircraft, payloads, autopilot systems, and ground control stations.
• Coordinate aircraft readiness, pre-flight inspections, launch and recovery operations, and post-flight maintenance activities.
• Execute operational test procedures and mission plans while ensuring compliance with established safety and operational requirements.
• Support development, refinement, and enforcement of SOPs, checklists, and operational best practices.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, airspace requirements, range procedures, and company flight operations standards.
• Assist in flight planning, airspace coordination, mission scheduling, and operational risk assessments.

Skills

UAS operations

FAA Part 107

flight operations

safety procedures

team coordination

Tools

QGC

Mission Planner

ArduPilot

PX4

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

The HMS UAS Operations Technician is responsible for the execution of surrogate flight test operations supporting the Hivemind portfolio. This role conducts day-to-day flight activities, aircraft preparation, system configuration, field operations, and operational support for autonomy testing.

The HMS UAS Operations Technician serves as the primary operator and technical lead for Group 1/2 UAS test assets, ensuring aircraft, payloads, ground control systems, and supporting equipment are mission-ready and operated in accordance with established procedures, safety requirements, and operational standards.

This position works closely with software, systems, and flight operations teams to support the integration, validation, and operational assessment of autonomy capabilities in laboratory, ground, and flight environments.

What you’ll do:

• Operate flight test platforms in support of daily fly-fix-fly verification activities

• Serve as a primary operator for Group 1/2 UAS platforms during developmental and operational testing.

• Configure, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot aircraft, payloads, autopilot systems, and ground control stations.

• Coordinate aircraft readiness, pre-flight inspections, launch and recovery operations, and post-flight maintenance activities.

• Execute operational test procedures and mission plans while ensuring compliance with established safety and operational requirements.

• Support development, refinement, and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational best practices.

• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, airspace requirements, range procedures, and company flight operations standards.

• Assist in flight planning, airspace coordination, mission scheduling, and operational risk assessments.

Required qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience operating and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms in test, military, commercial, or operational environments.

• Strong knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, ground control stations, communications systems, and payload integration.

• Experience developing, implementing, and executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational processes.

• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, National Airspace System (NAS) operations, airspace coordination, and flight authorization requirements.

• Experience conducting flight operations in dynamic and complex test environments.

• Strong organizational, communication, and mission planning skills.

• Ability to coordinate effectively with software, systems, safety, and flight operations personnel.

• FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAS operational experience.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience supporting autonomy, AI-enabled systems, or developmental flight test programs, particularly with multi-aircraft or distributed UAS operations.

• Fabrication experience with design, build of mechanical and electrical systems

• Familiarity with standard control and autopilot elements such as QGC, Mission Planner, Ardupilot, Px4

• Military UAS operations or test experience.

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.