UAS Chief Pilot - Internal Only

University of North Dakota; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks seeks a UAS Chief Pilot to lead safe, compliant flight operations for NPUASTS projects. You will direct crews, ensure airworthiness, maintain FAA alignment, and oversee training and performance within a high‑safety culture.

Responsibilities include program development, regulatory liaison, data reporting, and strategic leadership of the Operations Division to deliver mission objectives on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• RPIC License or manned aircraft license required.
• Four years of UAS operations experience.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing operations under FAA waivers.
• Experience developing UAS training curricula and SOPs.
• Proficiency with Office365 applications.
• Must be eligible for U.S. export control compliance and background checks.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all NPUASTS flight operations, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
• Lead UAS Operations Support staff, provide coaching and performance feedback.
• Develop and maintain operational programs, procedures, manuals, and training outlines.
• Coordinate with project managers, clients, and regulators; manage data reporting.
• Ensure airspace approvals, airworthiness certification, crew qualifications, and incident investigations.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate training and development for Operations Division personnel.

Skills

UAS Operations

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Safety Management

FAA Regulations

Communication

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Office365

Job description

This position is open to internal candidates only. External candidates will not be reviewed or considered.

Salary/Position Classification

• $90,000+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

The UAS Chief Pilot leads the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of all NPUASTS flight operations. This position provides direction and oversight for flight and operations personnel, ensuring aircraft airworthiness, crew qualification, and operational readiness in alignment with FAA regulations, organizational procedures, and project requirements. The Chief Pilot applies intermediate planning, organizing, and directing skills across multiple operational programs, exercising autonomy and discretion in managing flight operations, coordinating regulatory approvals, and ensuring safety and performance outcomes. The Chief Pilot supervises UAS Operations Support personnel, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance feedback to promote a high-performance and safety-driven work culture.

Duties & Responsibilities

• UAS Flight Operations Management: Direct and oversee all NPUASTS flight operations, ensuring the safe execution of missions, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Plan, direct, manage, and coordinate flight operations: -Establish and verify crew qualifications -Ensure aircraft airworthiness -Review Concept of Operations and Safety Risk Assessments -Coordinate associated regulatory approvals Exercise discretion and independent judgment to terminate or suspend flight activities should unsafe conditions arise. Oversee flight planning, preflight, and maintenance processes; ensure risk mitigations are implemented. Collect, validate, and report safety and operational data in compliance with internal and FAA reporting requirements. Collaborate with internal and external teams, stakeholders and clients to align flight operations with test objectives and project requirements. Ensure data collection is conducted in a timely and accurate fashion and in accordance with data reporting requirements. Operate NPUASTS aircraft and/or fulfill crewmember roles, as required.
• Division Leadership and Team Management: Provide strategic and tactical leadership to the operations team, supervising staff, guiding priorities, and developing personnel capabilities to meet organizational objectives that conveys NPUASTS commitment to highest levels of aviation and safety standards for administration, management, employees, and users of the NPUASTS. Lead, mentor, and evaluate UAS Operations Support personnel, providing coaching and performance feedback. Identify professional development and training needs to advance technical and leadership proficiency. Plan, direct, organize, and manage operations and project tasks of Operations Division to ensure tasks are accomplished in a timely and consistent manner with organizational or project requirements. Foster collaboration, accountability, and safety-driven culture within the Operations Division. Resolve conflicts, address performance issues, and apply institutional policies to maintain effective team operations.
• Operational Program and System Development: Develop, implement, and maintain operational programs, procedures, and systems supporting safe, efficient, and scalable UAS operations. Coordinate with project managers on spending to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets. Coordinate operational personnel, field services, and logistics support for all flight operations. Responsible for facilitating all matters related to the safe conduct of operation such as airspace approval, airworthiness certification, and crew qualifications. Manage flight operation daily processes such as flight planning, preflight, and maintenance. Develop and maintain operation division documents, such as crewmember training outlines, operations manuals, and procedure manuals. Support technical writing including, operational proposal documents, periodic reports, final project reports, and client/research proposals. Responsible for compliance with Emergency Response Plan. Coordinate, as required, incident, accident and occurrence event investigations. Ensure that Operations Division personnel have the necessary resources to perform the functions of their positions in compliance with applicable regulations. Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities of Operations Division personnel.
• Stakeholder and Client Engagement/Additional Responsibilities: Represent NPUASTS operations in coordination with clients, partners, and regulatory stakeholders to support organizational goals and maintain strong relationships. Communicate operational requirements and safety expectations with clients and internal stakeholders. Serve as liaison between NPUASTS Operations and external partners, coordinating regulatory and technical matters. Provide high‑quality customer service to a wide variety of clients. Support potential client calls via email and teleconferences, as required. Support local, regional and state meetings and conferences, as required. Stay up to date and incorporate on FAA guidance on Unmanned Aircraft. Stay up to date on industry standards and other industry best practices. Other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

• Aviation and UAS Operations Expertise – Demonstrated knowledge of flight operations, aircraft systems, and FAA regulatory requirements for UAS.
• Safety and Risk Management – Strong commitment to operational safety, applying proactive risk assessment and mitigation practices.
• Leadership and Team Development – Proven ability to lead, mentor, and evaluate professional staff to achieve operational excellence.
• Regulatory and Compliance Acumen – Skilled in interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with FAA and institutional policies.
• Operational Decision-Making – Exercises sound judgment and situational awareness in dynamic or high-risk environments.
• Communication and Collaboration – Effectively communicates with internal teams, leadership, clients, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Technical Problem-Solving – Diagnoses and resolves operational and procedural challenges with analytical and adaptive approaches.
• Integrity and Professionalism – Models accountability, ethical behavior, and professionalism in all operational and organizational interactions.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) License and/or manned aircraft license
• Four years of UAS operations experience
• Two years of supervisory experience
• Experience managing operations under FAA waivers
• Experience developing UAS training curriculums, maintenance programs, operations manuals, andStandard Operating Procedures
• Experience with Office365 applications
• Currently hold or have the ability to obtain Public Trust Certification within 120 days of hire
• Willingness and ability to travel, as required
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, as required
• Export Control Compliance:
  This position requires compliance with U.S. government export control laws and regulations. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a “U.S. Person” (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b (a)(3)). UND will not sponsor applicants for employment authorization for this position. Information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and will be used in compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identityand eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of UAS experience
• 100 hours of UAS flight experience
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Experience building or configuring UAS including Pixhawk and Ardupilot