UAS Test Pilot & Emergency Flight Lead

All Aviation Jobs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) retirement plan

Equity grants

Unlimited PTO

Holiday calendar & time off

Parental Leave

Job summary

Firestorm Labs is seeking a driven UAS Test Pilot, Emergency Pilot to join our Flight Test Team in San Diego, CA. You will support flight operations across the UAV lifecycle, focusing on readiness, safe execution, and reliability, piloting UAVs and aiding in test event planning.

You’ll collaborate with engineering and operations to ensure fleet readiness, safety, and regulatory compliance, enabling field demonstrations and customer support across a fast-paced, high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; hands-on experience may substitute for degree.
• Minimum 5 years piloting fixed-wing Group 1-3 UAS, including autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Pilot fixed-wing UAVs in flight testing, training, and operations.
• Perform Safety Pilot duties during test and evaluation of UAS platforms.
• Ensure aircraft are flight-ready via pre-flight checks and configuration verification.
• Conduct Functional Check Flights to validate readiness.
• Support flight test planning with engineers and test teams.
• Maintain fleet readiness and operational readiness for flight tests.
• Coordinate logistics for demos, deployments, and field exercises.
• Track aircraft status, maintenance, and configuration control.
• Troubleshoot and coordinate basic repairs to ensure availability.
• Ensure FAA regulations and internal safety standards are met.
• Collaborate with ranges and stakeholders for safe operations.
• Collect flight data and report discrepancies for engineering feedback.
• Maintain records of operations, maintenance, and training.
• Assist in training pilots and operators on procedures.
• Respond to dynamic operational needs to ensure mission success.

Skills

Fixed-wing UAS piloting

RPIC & Safety Pilot

FAA Part 107

Cross-functional collaboration

Flight data documentation

Technical writing

Microsoft Office

US citizenship with clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Hands-on flight experience

Job description

Firestorm Labs is seeking a driven UAS Test Pilot, Emergency Pilot to join our Flight Test Team in San Diego, CA. You will support flight operations across the UAV lifecycle, focusing on readiness, safe execution, and reliability, piloting UAVs and aiding in test event planning.

You’ll collaborate with engineering and operations to ensure fleet readiness, safety, and regulatory compliance, enabling field demonstrations and customer support across a fast-paced, high-impact environment.