UAS Pilot

Ideal Aerosmith; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Every other Friday off

Job summary

Ideal Aerosmith in Rockville, MD seeks an experienced UAS Pilot to join its flight operations team, supporting developmental flight testing, aircraft production, and customer demonstrations for Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS. You will use RC-style transmitters or equivalent controls with strong manual flight proficiency.

The role involves collaboration with engineering and production teams. Applicants must be able to travel domestically and internationally and must be a U.S.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional UAS/aviation/flight-test experience preferred.
• Demonstrated flight experience operating Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS.
• Proficiency manually flying Group 2 and 3 fixed-wing UAS with RC transmitters or equivalent controls.
• Experience with launch, recovery, and manual control of large fixed-wing UAS.
• Military UAS flight experience with direct manual control is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a UAS Pilot for Group 2/3 fixed-wing aircraft, supporting flights and demonstrations.
• Manually operate fixed-wing UAS during launch, recovery, and flight test.
• Support final aircraft assembly, integration, and flight-readiness verification.
• Conduct pre/post-flight inspections, discrepancies, and resolutions.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to troubleshoot and improve aircraft.

Skills

Fixed-wing piloting

Group 2 & 3 UAS

RC transmitter proficiency

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Travel readiness

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Aircraft assembly tools

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Operatives MD, US

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We're experts and we earn that title everyday with our customers through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world-class motion and electric test solutions and services.

Here, we don’t just solve complex problems - we redefine what’s possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement - ongoing, incremental enhancements to products, processes, or services aimed at reducing waste and boosting efficiency, customer service, and performance. With a team of skilled problem solvers and a culture that thrives on tackling challenges head-on, we are dedicated to our clients' success. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and every other Friday off to recharge.

The UAS Pilot will serve as a pilot and hands-on technical member of Ideal Aerosmith’s UAS flight operations team, supporting developmental flight testing, aircraft production, and customer operations. This position requires demonstrated flight experience with both Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS, including strong manual flight proficiency using RC-style transmitters or equivalent external flight controls.

The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight-readiness verification of aircraft and associated systems. Flight responsibilities will include functional check flights, internal research and development (R&D) sorties, developmental flight testing, and current and future customer demonstrations.

When not conducting flight operations, the UAS Pilot will work directly alongside engineering and production teams to assemble, inspect, troubleshoot, integrate, and prepare aircraft for flight. The ideal candidate combines professional aviation discipline, advanced fixed-wing UAS piloting skills, and the technical aptitude to contribute directly to aircraft development and production.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a UAS Pilot for Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft, supporting functional check flights, developmental flight testing, internal R&D sorties, and customer demonstrations.
• Manually operate fixed-wing UAS during launch, recovery, flight test, and abnormal or emergency situations as required.
• Support final aircraft assembly, system integration, functional checkout, and flight-readiness verification prior to aircraft release for flight operations.
• Conduct and support aircraft ground checks, pre-flight inspections, functional check flights, post-flight inspections, and discrepancy resolution.
• Work directly with engineering and production teams to troubleshoot aircraft and subsystem issues and support corrective actions and design improvements.
• Provide pilot and operational feedback to engineering during aircraft development, integration, and test.
• Assist with mechanical, electrical, avionics, payload, and flight-control system integration.
• Support aircraft maintenance, servicing, repairs, modifications, and configuration changes.
• Participate in flight planning, briefs, debriefs, test-card development, and flight-test documentation.
• Document discrepancies, maintenance actions, configuration changes, and flight-test observations.
• Assist with development and refinement of flight procedures, checklists, and operational documentation.
• Support customer demonstrations and field deployments, including aircraft preparation, transportation, setup, flight operations, and recovery.
• Maintain professional aviation discipline and comply with company flight operations procedures, safety requirements, and applicable regulatory guidance.

Qualification Requirements

• 3+ years of professional UAS, aviation, aerospace, flight-test, or closely related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated flight experience operating both Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS required.
• Demonstrated proficiency manually flying Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS using RC-style transmitters or equivalent external flight controls required.
• Experience with launch, recovery, and manual control of large fixed-wing UAS required.
• Military UAS flight experience involving direct manual control of fixed-wing aircraft using handheld transmitters or equivalent external pilot controls highly desired.
• Experience with high-performance RC aircraft, turbine-powered RC aircraft, aerial targets, developmental UAS, or similar platforms highly desired.
• Education or professional experience in an engineering discipline, including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, systems, avionics, or a related field, desired.
• Experience with aircraft assembly, integration, inspection, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, and functional checkout preferred.
• Experience supporting developmental flight test, functional check flights, or aircraft acceptance activities highly desired.
• Experience operating in a disciplined military, aviation, aerospace, or professional flight-test environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering, production, and flight operations teams.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally and obtain a passport.
• Due to federal contract requirements applicable to this position, candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Skill Requirements

• Advanced fixed-wing manual flight skills and strong understanding of fixed-wing aircraft handling and aerodynamics.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on technical skills.
• Ability to use common hand tools, power tools, and aircraft support equipment safely and effectively.
• Familiarity with aircraft systems, wiring, electronics, avionics, flight controls, or mechanical assemblies.
• Ability to follow technical instructions, assembly procedures, flight procedures, and operational checklists.
• Strong situational awareness, judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively in a developmental flight-test environment.
• Ability to identify, document, and communicate aircraft discrepancies and provide meaningful operational feedback to engineering teams.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office products.

PhysicalRequirements

• Must have the ability to lift and/or carry 45 lbs.
• Ability to work for extended periods at computer workstation/keyboard.
• Ability to type accurately and efficiently.
• The position will require walking, standing, squatting, crouching, stooping, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, sitting, repetitive motion and kneeling.

Ideal Aerosmith is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our goal is to create a work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion, where all employees feel respected and valued. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and strive to provide equal employment opportunities to everyone.