UAS - Field Service Representative III

AeroVironment, Inc.; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K matching

9/80 schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Field Support Representative III to operate and instruct on Unmanned Aerial Systems in field settings. You will collaborate with engineering, support, and manufacturing to ensure current product features are reflected in training materials.

The role requires travel across CONUS/OCONUS, deployments, and strong ability to work independently while maintaining safety and documentation standards.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience.
• Prior military experience or equivalent training in an aircraft/aerospace manufacturing firm.
• Prior military instructor experience highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel regularly within CONUS and OCONUS; cumulative travel 8–9 months per year.
• Must be available for deployments.
• Frequent travel 2–3 weeks; occasional 4–6 weeks; rare 90+ days.

Responsibilities

• Operates and instructs on Unmanned Air Systems (UAS).
• Participates in the AeroVironment Master Trainer Training Program (MTTP).
• Ensures field operations follow established procedures and are conducted safely.
• Maintains UAS and supporting operational systems; inventories equipment and materials.
• Completes documentation for field operations, equipment status, data collection, and post-flight procedures.
• Captures critical information for after-action reports and lessons learned databases.
• Applies company policies to resolve routine issues; works on problems of diverse scope.
• Leads and mentors small groups of students to meet course objectives.

Skills

Field operations

Safety compliance

Training/instruction

Travel readiness

Office software

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

US Regional

Full time

8693

Job Description

Summary

The Field Support Representative III (FSR) operates and provides instruction on Unmanned Air Systems (UAS), in the field. In this role, one ensures all field operations follow established procedures and are conducted safely. The FSR works with engineering, technical support, and manufacturing to ensure that course material reflects current product features.

Duties

• Operates and instructs on Unmanned Air Systems (UAS)
• Participates in the AeroVironment Master Trainer Training Program (MTTP) in accordance with the Master Trainer Training Manual (MTTM)
• Ensures all field operations follow established procedures and are conducted safely
• Conducts all necessary UAS equipment, and material inventories
• Immediately advises Master Commanders (MCs), customer representatives, and controlling authorities of any changes affecting planned training field operations
• Maintains proper operational status of UAS and supporting operational systems
• Maintains situational awareness of the air vehicle's location, in-flight status, and threats to the aircraft or vehicle from the air and ground
• Constantly monitors whether on-site and along intended flight paths
• Continually re-evaluates risk assessments & takes appropriate actions to mitigate any elevated risk levels
• Completes all documentation required for field operations, equipment operational status, data collection, and post-flight procedures
• Captures critical information for input into after-action reports and lessons learned databases
• Applies company policies and procedures to resolve routine issues
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations
• Other duties as assigned

Experience

• High School diploma or GED equivalent; Bachelor’s degree is preferred or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 5 – 8 years of relevant experience
• Prior military experience or equivalent training experience in an aircraft / aerospace manufacturing firm
• Prior military instructor experience highly desirable
• Prior hobby experience with Remote Controlled (RC) aircraft helpful but not required
• Willingness to travel regularly and for extended periods within continental United States (CONUS)
• Willingness to travel regularly and for extended periods to outside continental United States (OCONUS)
• Cumulative travel 8 to 9 months per year
• Must be available for deployments
• 2 -3 weeks (Frequently)
• 4 – 6 weeks (Occasionally)
• 90+ days (Rarely)

Additional Requirements

• Solid understanding of military tactics, operations, GPS and Navigation utilizing maps and compass
• Must have strong analytical skills with which to solve various degrees of complex problems
• Must have the ability to work with little or no supervision and exercise independent judgment on a regular basis.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or sketches
• Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Demonstrates basic computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools
• Effectively lead, train and mentor small groups of students in meeting course objectives
• Has strong 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
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

Physical Demands

• Lift and/or move between 11-100 lbs. of cases of varying size (Frequent)
• Lift up to 55 pounds as well as objects of varying sizes for shipment to & set up at various customer training sites (Occasional)
• Able to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions and traverse across uneven ground and varying terrain (Constant)
• Stand and/or sit for long periods of time (Frequent)
• Balancing, handling, fine manipulation and grasping (Frequent)Repeatedly throw objects up to 25 lbs. over shoulder (Frequent)
• Good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble product (Frequent)
• Climbing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, sense of touch, overhead lifting (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Must have the capability to obtain a U.S. passport
• Must have a clean driving record to drive company vehicles
• Will be required to pass FAA Part 107 training
• Must pass and maintain a medical and dental exam for deployment(s)
• Should be accustomed to isolation and expect to work long irregular hours, weekends and holidays and in difficult situations, and environments
• Because of various out-of-area training/maintenance requirements, must be available on both short (14-60 days) and long-term (90+ days) deployments away from home, both CONUS and OCONUS consisting of up to 75% travel

Clearance Level

Secret

The salary range for this role is:

$25 - $38

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

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

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. 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.

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.

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 is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.

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.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)