Work Setting: 100% onsite with a four-day, 10-hour workweek (Monday–Thursday)

Travel: Domestic and international travel required to support flight testing and operational deployments

Compensation: $85,041 – $108,071.70 base salary (actual annual earnings are expected to be significantly higher due to field deployment pay and overtime opportunities).

Benefits: Company-paid employee medical insurance, low-cost family coverage, retirement plan, paid time off, and comprehensive benefits package

A rapidly growing aerospace and defense technology company is seeking an External UAS Test Pilot to conduct manual, line-of-sight (LOS) flight operations for Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aircraft systems in both developmental testing and operational environments.

Unlike traditional drone pilot roles that rely primarily on autonomous flight, this position is focused on hands-on flying. The successful candidate will manually launch, fly, and recover fixed-wing and multirotor aircraft using RC-style transmitters and external flight controls while serving as the safety pilot responsible for protecting valuable prototype aircraft during testing.

This role is ideal for highly skilled RC pilots, external UAS pilots, or experienced flight test professionals who have developed exceptional stick-and-rudder flying skills through years of competition, military service, or professional UAS flight operations.

Why This Opportunity