UAS Test Operator - Group 1 & 2

iO Associates; Pismo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity opportunity

Healthcare coverage

Relocation assistance

National security mission work

Job summary

iO Associates seeks a UAS Test Engineer - Mission Operator to join a small, fast-moving team building autonomous technology and to directly influence product testing strategy and future directions.

You will plan and execute flight tests, evaluate system performance, and mature next-generation autonomous aircraft with engineers, operators, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Experience supporting flight test, UAS operations, autonomous systems, or aerospace development programs
• Experience programming, configuring, and tuning flight controllers for quadcopter/UAS platforms, including debugging flight characteristics

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute flight test activities for autonomous aircraft and mission systems
• Support aircraft operations, mission execution, and system validation efforts
• Conduct pre-flight inspections, operational checks, and flight readiness assessments
• Collect and analyze flight data to identify performance trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, communications, and sensor-related issues during test events
• Partner closely with engineering teams to validate new capabilities and support product development
• Assist with customer demonstrations, evaluations, and operational events
• Contribute to flight safety processes, operational procedures, and testing best practices
• Coordinate field logistics including aircraft, support equipment, batteries, ground stations, and test site readiness

Skills

Flight controllers

UAS operations

Test execution

Data interpretation

Field work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We're looking for someone who wants to be more than just another engineer on a large program. This is an opportunity to join a small, fast-moving team building autonomous technology and have a direct impact on the product, the testing strategy, and the future direction of the company.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being in the field, taking ownership, solving problems without waiting for instructions, and helping turn ambitious ideas into real-world capabilities. You'll work closely with engineers, operators, and leadership to plan and execute flight tests, evaluate system performance, and help mature next-generation autonomous aircraft.

UAS Test Engineer - Mission Operator

Location: CA (Relocation Available)

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute flight test activities for autonomous aircraft and mission systems
• Support aircraft operations, mission execution, and system validation efforts
• Conduct pre-flight inspections, operational checks, and flight readiness assessments
• Collect and analyze flight data to identify performance trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, communications, and sensor-related issues during test events
• Partner closely with engineering teams to validate new capabilities and support product development
• Assist with customer demonstrations, evaluations, and operational events
• Contribute to flight safety processes, operational procedures, and testing best practices
• Coordinate field logistics including aircraft, support equipment, batteries, ground stations, and test site readiness

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Experience supporting flight test, UAS operations, autonomous systems, or aerospace development programs
• Strong understanding of flight operations, system integration, and test execution
• Experience programming, configuring, and tuning flight controllers for quadcopter/UAS platforms, including debugging flight characteristics, troubleshooting control systems, and optimizing flight performance.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware and software systems
• Experience collecting, interpreting, and communicating technical test results
• Comfortable working in outdoor environments and traveling to support flight operations
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams

What's Offered

• Competitive compensation
• Equity opportunity
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage
• Relocation assistance
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems supporting national security missions