Full-Time

UAS – Unmanned Aircraft System

Posted on 1/8/2026

Deadline 1/8/27
Akima

Akima

1,001-5,000 employees

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

No salary listed

Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

In Person

Category
Aerospace Engineering (1)
Requirements
  • Qualification in Gray Eagle MQ-1C UAS.
  • Must have at least four years’ operational flying (post initial qualification) experience within the last five years.
  • 200 hours on the Gray Eagle.
  • 20 hours as an aircraft Commander (AC) (Can substitute 20 hours of IO for AC but must have AC designation in records).
  • Must have System qualification/ verification: Army Qualification Certificates, DD214, DA 7122).
  • OEM qualified. For OEM: DCMA (1821, 2628 stating qualifications.
  • Must have been AC designated/verified via DD form 759, or DCMA/OEM.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a flight physical per AR 95-20.
  • Must be able to satisfactorily complete all evaluations per AR 95-20 including: TRADOC instructor evaluations.
  • Oral academic evaluations.
  • No-notice evaluations.
  • Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization (DES) evaluations.
  • Proficiency Flight evaluations (PFEs).
  • Standardization Flight Evaluations (SFE).
Responsibilities
  • Procedures for takeoff, landing, and tactical employment of the Gray Eagle UAS.
  • Fundamentals and application of Air Crew Coordination.
  • Capabilities, emergency procedures, limitations, and system logic of the Gray Eagle UAS System and its payloads.
  • Fundamentals and conduct of Gray Eagle UAS Missions with emphasis on route, zone, and area reconnaissance; aerial surveillance; security operations; and employment of the Gray Eagle UAS in attack missions.
  • Fundamentals of Mission Planning and approval Process to include the METTTC; Risk Assessment; and Performance Planning.
  • Concepts and application of Army reporting formats to include SALUTE, SALTW, and BDA reports. Familiarity with National Airspace-- restricted areas and class D airspace-- and ATC phraseology.
  • Configuration of system radios for flight operations and communications relay. Application of map reading techniques for UAS Operations.
  • Fundamentals of laser safety, different types of lasers on UAS payloads, employment, capabilities, detractors, and effective utilization of lasers during UAS missions.
  • Fundamentals of Combat Vehicle Identification and familiarity with major US, Allied, and Threat equipment.
  • Concepts and application of military Symbology.
  • Fratricide and how to prevent it as a UAS operator through positive identification of targets and situational awareness.
  • Familiarity with Joint procedures for Call for Indirect Fire and Laser Designation for a Hellfire missile.
  • Familiarity and application of AR 95-1 (Flight Regulations), TC 3-04.11 (Commander's Aviation Training and Standardization Program), TC 3-04.3 (Aviation Gunnery), AR 40-8 (Exogenous Factors), and TC 3-04.93 (Aeromedical Training).
  • Familiarity and application with of DA PAM 738-751 (TAMMS) and maintenance logbook software.
  • Concepts of Decisive Action and how a UAS operates in offensive, defensive, stability, and defense support of civil authorities’ operations.
  • Concepts and participants in the OE.
  • Fundamentals of the IPB process as an UAS operator will support the commander’s tactical decision-making by providing information that enhances situational awareness of the operational environment.
  • Basic aviation Instrument Flight Rules School topics include but are not limited to: National Airspace Regulations, Flight Instruments and Systems, Weather, IFR flight planning, IFR approach/departure procedures, DOD Flight Information Publications (FLIP) and Airspace Management.
Desired Qualifications
  • IO course graduate.
  • Recency of flight: 12 hours as AC within the last 12 months.

Akima provides services to the U.S. federal government across facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, mission support, FF&E, and construction. It delivers contracted, integrated services to help government missions succeed. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, Akima aims to create long-term value for its parent while achieving superior outcomes for customers, guided by Iñupiat values. Its differentiators include Alaska Native ownership, a broad multi-domain service footprint, and a focus on federal missions; its goal is to support customer missions and sustain value for NANA and the Iñupiat community.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Founded

1995

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Acquired Pinnacle Solutions, enhancing defense training and sustainment capabilities.
  • Appointed Lauren Cates as VP for Emerging Markets Group to expand mission-critical tech.
  • Appointed Marcus Lopez as COO with 30 years experience to drive operational excellence.

What critics are saying

  • 8(a) subsidiaries graduate, losing sole-source edges to General Dynamics and CACI.
  • FY2026 NDAA shifts DoD cloud contracts to AWS and Azure, crushing Akima's IT revenue.
  • NANA shareholder lawsuits over fund mismanagement halt $500M+ pipelines via audits.

What makes Akima unique

  • Akima delivers agile solutions in facilities, IT, logistics, and construction as NANA subsidiary.
  • Ranked #31 on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.
  • Provides mission support to Sandia National Laboratories in high-security environments.

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Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Company News

PR Newswire
Feb 19th, 2026
Akima appoints Lauren Cates as VP of business development for Emerging Markets Group

Akima, a federal government solutions provider, has appointed Lauren Cates as vice president of business development for its Emerging Markets Group. Cates will lead growth strategy and expand the company's presence in delivering mission-critical technologies to government and military customers. Cates brings over 15 years of federal contracting experience. She previously led Indigo IT's growth team, securing major contracts in cybersecurity, cloud and enterprise IT services, and spent more than a decade with Bowhead Family of Companies managing billion-dollar pipelines. Akima, a subsidiary of Alaska Native Corporation NANA, employs over 11,000 people and delivers solutions across IT, logistics, aerospace and construction. The company ranked #31 on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

PR Newswire
Feb 12th, 2026
Akima appoints Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer to drive operational excellence

Akima, a federal government contractor, has appointed Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer. Lopez will report to president and CEO Bill Monet and oversee operational excellence and customer delivery. Lopez brings over 30 years of experience in government and commercial sectors. Most recently, he served as president and chief growth officer at Belcan, a Cognizant company, where he led the integration of a $20 billion enterprise. Previously, he headed ManTech's Advanced Research Technology Business Unit. A former US Navy officer and pilot, Lopez commanded an elite strike/fighter squadron. Akima is a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, employing 11,000 people and delivering solutions in IT, aerospace, construction and other areas. The company ranked 31st on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

WashingtonExec
Apr 12th, 2023
Akima Buys Pinnacle Solutions | WashingtonExec

Akima has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a provider of training and sustainment products and services to defense

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