UAS Development Engineer & Pilot

OKSI; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision fully paid

Three weeks vacation

401(k) with 5% contribution

Educational assistance

Job summary

Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) seeks a UAS Development Engineer & Pilot to lead hands-on development, integration, and testing of unmanned aerial systems for defense and commercial use.

The role covers design, flight testing, payload integration, and real-world field operations with travel; compensation varies by experience and level. A fast-moving, collaborative team environment awaits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Software Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years engineering experience, incl 3+ years UAS or aircraft system development.
• FAA Part 107 certification (or obtained within 60 days of hire).
• Experience with ArduPilot piloting and integration.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and integrate developmental UAS platforms and ArduPilot configuration.
• Develop flight test plans and safety procedures with engineering and safety teams.
• Pilot aircraft in manual and autonomous modes; conduct flight tests and real-time troubleshooting.
• Analyze post-flight data logs to validate performance and root-cause anomalies.
• Integrate EO/IR, LiDAR, or RF payloads and validate ArduPilot compatibility.
• Maintain test fleet in airworthy condition and track logs.
• Support field tests, customer demos, and travel as required.

Skills

ArduPilot piloting

Flight test planning

Data analysis

Technical documentation

UAS development

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or related field

Tools

Mission Planner

QGroundControl

Lua scripting

Linux

Job description

About OKSI

Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) designs and builds EO/IR sensor systems, autonomous platforms, and modeling and simulation technology that give warfighters a decisive edge. We're a small, fast-moving team where your work reaches the field in months, not years.

Description

About OKSI

Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) designs and builds EO/IR sensor systems, autonomous platforms, and modeling and simulation technology that give warfighters a decisive edge. We're a small, fast-moving team where your work reaches the field in months, not years.

The Role

The UAS Development Engineer & Pilot leads hands-on development, integration, testing, and piloting of unmanned aerial systems, from design and fabrication through flight test and aircraft maintenance, in support of defense and commercial applications. Level is based on experience (see Compensation and Benefits).

What You'll Do

• Design, build, and integrate developmental UAS platforms, including frame construction, electronics, GCS setup, and ArduPilot configuration and tuning
• Develop flight test plans, aircraft limitations, and ground safety procedures with engineering and safety teams
• Pilot aircraft in manual and autonomous modes; execute flight tests with real-time troubleshooting, live tuning, and telemetry monitoring
• Analyze post-flight data logs to validate performance and root-cause anomalies
• Integrate third-party payloads (EO/IR, LiDAR, RF) and validate ArduPilot compatibility alongside software, mechanical, and systems engineers
• Maintain the test fleet in continuous airworthy condition; track maintenance, firmware, parameter sets, and system logs
• Execute engineering test procedures; contribute to test planning, configuration management, and formal reporting
• Maintain an open issue tracker for system-level problems
• Support field tests, customer demos, and off-site operations; domestic and international travel required

Requirements

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Software Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years engineering experience, including 3+ years in UAS or aircraft system development
• 3+ years ArduPilot piloting and integration experience: manual/autonomous flight, controller tuning (PID, failsafe logic, mission profiles), sensor/payload/GCS integration (Mission Planner, QGroundControl), log analysis and troubleshooting
• Hands-on experience in engineering test planning, aircraft development, and field testing
• FAA Part 107 (required, or obtained within 60 days of hire)
• Strong data analysis, telemetry review, and technical documentation skills
• Experience piloting UAS or manned aircraft in real-world conditions
• Familiarity with multirotor, fixed-wing, and VTOL platforms
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Preferred

• EO/IR, LiDAR, or RF payload integration
• Autonomous flight, GCS scripting, or swarm coordination
• Lua or MAVLink scripting for ArduPilot missions
• Linux systems and embedded software development
• Knowledge of FAA UAS regulations and airworthiness practices
• Prior DoD program or military flight test exposure

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision fully paid for employees
• Three weeks of vacation
• Company 401(k) contribution, 5% of earned wages (no match required)
• Educational assistance
• UAS Development Engineer & Pilot I: $100,000 - $150,000
• UAS Development Engineer & Pilot II: $114,999 - $172,500
• UAS Development Engineer & Pilot III: $132,249 - $198,374
• UAS Development Engineer & Pilot IV: $152,087 - $228,131
• UAS Development Engineer & Pilot V: $174,900 - $262,350

Why OKSI?

See your work fielded fast, not in years. Build next-generation defense technology that protects warfighters and safeguards civilians. Move with speed and agility from concept to deployment. Hybrid schedule for real work-life balance. Fast growth means fast career advancement.

ITAR Requirements

Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or higher clearance is required for portions of this role; specific programs may require U.S. Citizenship. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158), or be eligible to obtain the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State.

We are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process.

This employer participates in E-Verify.