UAS Operational Pilot & Instructor-Rome, NY

At Firestorm Labs were shaping the future of autonomous systems for national security As a UAS Operational Pilot amp Instructor youll be a key member of our teamexecuting live demonstration amp field exercises instructing military civilian and international users Youll also apply established UAS tactics techniques and procedures and flag improvement opportunities to engineering Youll fly and instruct across two disciplines Group 23 fixedwing UAS operated via ground control station GCS and FPV aircraft from basic manual flight through advanced acro and precision maneuveringamp amp This is a handson dualrole position that blends operational flying with technical training and fieldlevel product feedback Supporting critical flight missions delivering highimpact training and enabling tactical integration across diverse operational environments Youll work shouldertoshoulder with engineering product and frontline operators to ensure missionready standards and safe effective and repeatable UAS operations Your work will directly shape how advanced drone technology is deployed and scaled amp There will be operational flight demonstrations and exercises at both CONUS and OCONUS locations that will require travel to support amp What Youll Do amp Execute UAS flight missions in support of RampD demos customer engagements exercises and operational deployments Operate Group 23 fixedwing UAS via ground control station GCS in tactical test and field environmentsincluding austere or remote locations Fly FPV aircraft across the full skill range from basic manual control through advanced acro and precision maneuvering Conduct mission planning airspace deconfliction and operational risk management ORM Deliver handson instruction in areas such as UAS mission planning execution emergency procedures and modular payload integration using established curricula Train US and International operators to meet mission readiness standards Teach safe Group 23 fixedwing GCS operations and aeronautical decisionmaking principles within established training frameworks Instruct FPV operators from basic through advanced flight skills within established training frameworks Ensure compliance with FAA regulations internal safety protocols and risk mitigation procedures Serve as a knowledgeable resource on Group 23 fixedwing and FPV operational use cases and testevaluation activities within your team Provide field feedback to engineering on UAS performance and payload integration Support the creation of training syllabi courseware and mission brief materials for your assigned programs Develop training content afteraction reviews AARs and technical documentation Lead structured postflight debriefs to capture lessons learned and inform future mission planning Report field observations and operator feedback to engineering and product teams amp Required Qualifications amp High School Diploma GED or equivalent education US Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance 4 years of experience operating Group 23 fixedwing UAS via ground control station GCS in military commercial or public safety settings 2 years of remotecontrol pilot experience FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required in order to fly must obtain in first 30 days of employment FPV flying proficiency from basic manual control through advanced acro and precision maneuvering experience Handson experience with FPV systems including RC flight controllers cameras motors propellers and peripherals Basic drone maintenance experience Experience flying with precise control and advanced maneuvering Experience with mission planning radio communications and flight safety procedures amp Preferred Qualifications amp Prior military service specifically with Group 23 fixedwing UAS or tactical drone operations experience Experience with FPV drone systems drone racing and aerial videography techniques Strong knowledge of FPV components and systems including RC RXTX flight controllers video transmitters VTX and supporting peripherals Ability to effectively teach and communicate FPV flight theory and safe operational practices Familiarity with EOIR LiDAR or multispectral payloads Knowledge of JADC2 environments and tactical network integration Certified instructor or evaluator civilian or DoD Experience developing training pipelines SOPs or certification standards Technical experience with UAS hardwaresoftware integration telemetry or mission planning tools amp Who We Are amp At Firestorm were on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered Our goal is to empower US ally nations to effectively deter aggressorsregardless of their defense budgetthrough innovative costefficient technologies We call this vision democratized deterrence As a VCbacked company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley were pioneering the development of missionadaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators By prioritizing operator effectiveness were pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering worldclass capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement making cuttingedge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the costamp amp Work Environment amp Based at our Headquarters in San Diego CAamp We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate There will be training and flight demonstration events both CONUS and OCONUS which will require travel to support up to 25 of the time Will include working in outdoor environments under various weather conditions Ability to withstand environmental conditions eg extreme heat or cold grass wind sand fumes odors gases extreme noise etc amp Compensation amp Base salary 110000 125000 base commensurate with experience Equity Meaningful equity grant in a growthstage defense technology company amp The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors including but not limited to relevant experience education certifications specialized skills geographic location and business needs Actual compensation may vary and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve amp Benefits amp Perks amp Our culture fosters collaboration respect and trust empowering passionate people to do their best work We offer a competitive salary comprehensive benefits and opportunities for career growth In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative collaborative and fastgrowing business with a highly motivated and skilled team we also take pride in taking care of our employees Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation amp We offer comprehensive medical dental and visions plans 401k Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your longterm retirement goals Equity grants for new hires Unlimited PTO Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in July amp December Generous Parental Leaveamp Lifestyle Spending Account FSAamp DCFSA HSA Hospital Indemnity insuranceamp Critical Illness insuranceamp Accident insuranceamp Basic LifeADampD shortterm and longterm disability insurance 100 covered by Firestorm Plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family Mental Health Resources We provide free mental health resources 247 including therapy and more Additional worklife services such as free legal and financial support are available to you as well amp Export Control Compliance amp To conform to US government export control regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR and Export Administration Regulations EAR you must be a US citizen lawful permanent resident of the US protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324ba3 or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the US Department of State or US Department of Commerce amp Equal Opportunity Statement amp Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and upholding equitable hiring practices All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability protected veteran status or any other characteristic under federal state or local law including those with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance We actively encourage members of recognized minorities women Veterans and those with disabilities to apply and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process amp Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process please dont hesitate to reach out to us at careerslaunchfirestormcom so we can provide the support you need amp amp amp




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