Technical Integrator / Senior FPV and Autonomy Test Operator

LMI Government Consulting; Fort Bragg (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

LMI Government Consulting is seeking a Technical Integrator / Senior FPV and Autonomy Test Operator to support a DoW mission partner at Fort Bragg, NC. The role blends hands-on FPV/UAS flight operations with technical integration to drive requirements for engineers and program staff.

The ideal candidate has advanced FPV skills, deep autonomy understanding, and the ability to influence across operators, engineers, and leadership. Travel to test ranges is required.

Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret.
• Seven+ years in UAS/autonomy ops, systems integration, or TE.
• Five+ years in operational UAS/FPV in defense contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead flight operations and test execution across manual, assisted, and autonomous modes.
• Translate test data into actionable technical requirements for engineers and stakeholders.
• Manage vendor relationships and integrated schedules for the program.

Skills

Security clearance

UAS operations

Autonomy integration

Program management

Stakeholder communication

Jira/Confluence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft 365

Job description

Overview

LMI is seeking a Technical Integrator / Senior FPV and Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War mission partner at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This role operates at the intersection of tactical UAS flight operations, autonomy test and evaluation, and rapid capability development. The selected candidate will serve as both a hands‑on operational test asset and the technical integrator who converts what happens in the air into requirements, priorities, and decisions for engineers, developers, program staff, and government stakeholders.

This is not a conventional UAS pilot role, and it is not a conventional program support role. The ideal candidate flies at an advanced level, understands autonomy and system integration at depth, and can lead through influence across operators, engineers, vendors, and senior leaders. This position directly contributes to accelerating the fielding of autonomous and semi‑autonomous unmanned systems across the Department of War.

LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial‑grade platforms and mission‑ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed.

Leveraging our mission‑ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors, helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value.

This position is in‑office at or near Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Flight operations, test events, client engagements, and hands‑on integration work are performed on‑site or at range and field locations. This position requires an active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Travel to test ranges, demonstrations, and supported unit locations is required.

Responsibilities

Flight Operations and Test Execution

• Conduct advanced FPV and Group 1 to 2 UAS flight operations across manual, assisted, and autonomous control modes in dynamic, contested, and GPS‑denied environments.
• Plan and execute flight test events end to end, including test plan development, pre‑flight, execution, operational data capture, post‑flight analysis, and formal test reporting.
• Execute test scenarios, mission profiles, and evaluation events in support of autonomy development and human‑machine teaming.
• Maintain safe multi‑vehicle operations in complex airspace and RF environments, applying sound aeronautical decision‑making and UAS risk management.
• Configure, troubleshoot, repair, and modify FPV and UAS systems, to include integration of payloads, communications systems, and mission‑specific components, and optimize system performance for operational use.

Technical Integration and Solution Architecture

• Serve as a solutions architect and technical thought leader, combining multiple software, autonomy, and hardware platforms into a coherent system.
• Manage a product backlog and develop features and user stories that drive development, delivering a right‑sized MVP while preserving a path to future scalability and extensibility.
• Translate operator feedback, mission threads, and test observations into clear technical requirements, priorities, actions, and decision points for engineering and program teams.
• Translate technical constraints, integration dependencies, risk, readiness, and test results into language accessible to operators, requirements leads, and senior decision‑makers.
• Coordinate integration across air vehicles, payloads and effects, autonomy, navigation, command and control and datalinks, mission planning software, ground control systems, telemetry, and test infrastructure.
• Apply working knowledge of Department of War networking, communications, data architectures, and the software development lifecycle to integration decisions.

Program Delivery and Vendor Management

• Assist in the delivery of high‑quality deliverables on time and within budget, establishing project efficiencies and managing key client relationships to ensure client satisfaction.
• Advise the client on the appropriate mix of capabilities, solutions, tools, and approaches to address stated requirements.
• Work with and manage multiple vendors providing individual solutions within a larger solution ecosystem; manage conflict and ensure cohesion across the team of teams.
• Develop and maintain integrated schedules, action trackers, decision logs, risk and issue registers, and concise status reporting.
• Plan and facilitate integrated product teams, technical interchange meetings, working groups, test planning events, test readiness reviews, demonstrations, and after‑action reviews.
• Proactively identify and resolve strategic issues, drive closure of cross‑organizational actions by naming owners and deadlines, elevate blockers early, and recommend practical paths forward.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Build and maintain trusted working relationships with USASOC headquarters and subordinate units, operators, test organizations, engineers, acquisition personnel, program offices, and industry partners.
• Brief program status, risks, decisions, and recommended actions to LMI and government leaders with clarity, candor, and the appropriate level of technical depth.
• Capture user feedback and lessons learned and convert findings into prioritized technical, process, training, and operational improvements.
• Operate effectively in a high‑tempo, ambiguous environment where success depends on initiative, judgment, diplomacy, follow‑through, and the ability to lead without formal authority.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aviation, systems integration, program or project management, operations, or a related field, or equivalent operational experience.
• Seven or more years of combined experience across UAS or autonomous systems operations, systems integration, test and evaluation, or technical program execution within or around government technology.
• Five or more years of operational UAS or FPV experience in military, government, or defense industry environments.
• Advanced FPV flight proficiency, to include acro mode and precision maneuvering, with demonstrated experience conducting operations in dynamic or contested environments.
• Strong understanding of aeronautical decision‑making and UAS risk management.
• Demonstrated experience with UAS system integration, testing, or evaluation.
• Understanding of Department of War software development, networking, cybersecurity frameworks, and best practices.
• Ability to communicate credibly with both technical and non‑technical audiences, and to own and drive client engagement and stakeholder management.
• Skilled in the use of project management techniques and best practices, with proficiency in Microsoft 365 and work management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or comparable platforms.
• Ability to operate in high‑tempo, ambiguous environments and outdoors in austere conditions for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in person, full time, at or near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and to travel 0 to 25 percent to test ranges, demonstrations, and supported unit locations.

Desired Qualifications

• Active Department of Defense Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
• SOF or tactical military experience with UAS integration.
• Instructor or evaluator experience in UAS operations.
• Experience with FPV system builds, soldering, and fabrication.
• Familiarity with Betaflight, PX4, ArduPilot, and RF control link systems such as Crossfire and ELRS.
• Experience operating in GPS‑denied or EW‑contested environments.
• Knowledge of Department of Defense test and evaluation processes, rapid acquisition, requirements development, systems engineering, range safety, and spectrum management.
• Previous product management experience defining an MVP and leading engineering teams to drive delivery.
• Project or product management certification such as PMP, CSPO, DAWIA, CSEP, or Agile.
• CompTIA Security+ or Network+.
• FAA Part 107 certificate.
• AutoCAD or comparable CAD and 3D modeling experience.

The target salary range for this position goes up to $200,000.

The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation. Individual salaries are determined by various factors including, but not limited to location, internal equity, business considerations, client contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and security clearances.

Job Locations

US-NC-Fort Bragg