UAS Pilot Engineer

Nokturnal AI; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nokturnal AI is seeking a highly motivated UAS Pilot to test, operate, and deploy autonomous aircraft across the United States. You will work with engineers, technicians, and program managers to validate systems, support demonstrations, and train end users in a hands-on role.

The position emphasizes flight testing, mission planning, data collection, and safety compliance, with frequent travel and strong collaboration across teams to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required.
• Experience operating both multirotor and fixed-wing UAS.
• Proficient in Mission Planner for mission planning, configuration and setup.
• Experience with autopilot programming and flight controller configuration.
• Ability to perform flight log review and analysis to troubleshoot and improve systems.
• Experience configuring UAS from ground up including avionics, controllers, communications, payloads, and support systems.
• Experience with gas-powered UAS engine setup, tuning, operation, and maintenance.
• VLOS piloting with safe operation in varied environments.
• Strong troubleshooting across electrical, mechanical, avionics, software, propulsion, and flight control systems.
• Experience performing routine inspections, maintenance, and component replacement.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve issues in lab and field with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of mission planning, risk assessment, and flight safety.
• Willingness to travel frequently for customer demos, flight testing, and deployments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication to engineers, technicians, leadership, and customers.
• Proven ability to give constructive feedback and participate in technical discussions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct flight testing of prototype and production unmanned aircraft.
• Operate as Pilot in Command or Visual Observer during flight operations.
• Plan missions and perform pre-, in-, and post-flight inspections.
• Collect and document flight test data for engineering analysis.
• Support system validation and troubleshooting with engineering teams.
• Assist with aircraft assembly, configuration, maintenance, and field repairs.
• Conduct customer demonstrations and acceptance flights.
• Train customers and internal personnel on operation and safety procedures.
• Support field deployments and operational exercises nationwide.
• Maintain FAA compliance and adherence to flight procedures and customer requirements.
• Promote a culture of safety and operational excellence.

Skills

Remote piloting

Mission Planner

Autopilot programming

Flight log analysis

UAS configuration

Gas-powered UAS engines

VLOS piloting

Troubleshooting

Maintenance & repairs

Flight safety

Travel readiness

Technical communication

Documentation of findings

Organization

Driver's license

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Tools

Mission Planner

Job description

Nokturnal Ai is looking for a highly motivated UAS Pilot who thrives in a hands‑on environment and is excited to help test, operate, and deploy cutting‑edge autonomous aircraft.

This role is much more than flying drones. You'll work directly with engineers, technicians, and program managers to test new aircraft, validate system performance, support customer demonstrations, train end users, and contribute to the continued development of next‑generation autonomous systems.

If you enjoy solving technical challenges, operating sophisticated aircraft, and seeing your work directly impact mission success, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Conducting flight testing of prototype and production unmanned aircraft.
• Operating as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Visual Observer (VO) during flight operations.
• Planning missions and performing pre‑flight, in‑flight, and post‑flight inspections.
• Collecting and documenting flight test data for engineering analysis.
• Supporting system validation and troubleshooting alongside engineering teams.
• Assisting with aircraft assembly, configuration, maintenance, and field repairs.
• Conducting customer demonstrations and acceptance flights.
• Training customers and internal personnel on aircraft operation and safety procedures.
• Supporting field deployments and operational exercises throughout the United States.
• Maintaining compliance with FAA regulations, company flight procedures, and customer requirements.
• Promoting a strong culture of safety and operational excellence.

What We're Looking For:

Required Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Demonstrated experience operating both multirotor and fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems.
• Highly proficient in Mission Planner, including mission planning, aircraft configuration, parameter management, and system setup.
• Experience with autopilot programming, parameter tuning, and flight controller configuration.
• Ability to perform flight log review and analysis to identify performance issues, troubleshoot issues, and recommend system improvements.
• Experience configuring and setting up unmanned aircraft systems from the ground up, including avionics, flight controllers, communications equipment, payload integration, and support systems.
• Experience with gas-powered UAS engine setup, tuning, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Skilled Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) pilot with experience operating both multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft safely in a variety of operational environments.
• Strong troubleshooting skills involving electrical, mechanical, avionics, software, propulsion, and flight control systems.
• Experience performing routine inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs, and component replacement to ensure aircraft mission readiness.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues in both laboratory and field environments with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of mission planning, operational risk assessment, and flight safety best practices.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently in support of customer demonstrations, flight testing, training events, and operational deployments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information clearly and professionally to engineers, technicians, leadership, and customers.
• Demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback, actively participate in technical discussions, and foster open, respectful communication within a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to document test results, flight observations, maintenance activities, and technical findings accurately and communicate recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to lift and transport aircraft, ground control stations, batteries, and support equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicates clearly and professionally with cross-functional teams and customers.
• Provides timely, constructive, and solution-oriented feedback.
• Actively contributes to a collaborative, safety-focused culture.
• Shares technical knowledge effectively a