Full-Time

Unmanned Aircraft System Instructor Operator

Flight Instructor, Gray Eagle

Deadline 6/8/27
Akima

Akima

1,001-5,000 employees

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

No salary listed

Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

In Person

Category
Training (1)

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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.
  • Must have 200 hours on the Gray Eagle.
  • Must have 20 hours as an aircraft Commander; 20 hours of Instructor Operator may substitute for Aircraft Commander hours, but the candidate must have an Aircraft Commander designation in records.
  • Must have system qualification or verification documented by Army Qualification Certificates, DD214, DA 7122, or OEM qualification documentation such as DCMA forms 1821 or 2628 stating qualifications.
  • Must have been Aircraft Commander designated or verified via DD Form 759 or DCMA/OEM documentation.
  • 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 evaluations, Proficiency Flight Evaluations, and Standardization Flight Evaluations.
Responsibilities
  • Provide instruction in academics, flight simulators, and live flight operations to train personnel in the operation of the Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system.
  • Perform as Instructor Operators in support of unmanned aircraft system flight operations for the 2-13th Aviation Regiment at Fort Huachuca.
  • Provide instruction on procedures for takeoff, landing, and tactical employment of the Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system.
  • Teach the fundamentals and application of air crew coordination.
  • Teach the capabilities, emergency procedures, limitations, and system logic of the Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system and its payloads.
  • Teach the fundamentals and conduct of Gray Eagle missions, including route, zone, and area reconnaissance; aerial surveillance; security operations; and attack missions.
  • Teach mission planning and approval processes, including METT-TC, risk assessment, and performance planning.
  • Teach Army reporting formats, including SALUTE, SALTW, and BDA reports, as well as national airspace restrictions, Class D airspace, and air traffic control phraseology.
  • Teach configuration of system radios for flight operations and communications relay, and application of map-reading techniques for unmanned aircraft system operations.
  • Teach laser safety, laser types on unmanned aircraft system payloads, employment, capabilities, detractors, and effective utilization during missions.
  • Teach combat vehicle identification and recognition of major United States, allied, and threat equipment.
  • Teach military symbology.
  • Teach fratricide prevention through positive identification of targets and situational awareness.
  • Teach joint procedures for calls for indirect fire and laser designation for a Hellfire missile.
  • Teach the application of AR 95-1, TC 3-04.11, TC 3-04.3, AR 40-8, and TC 3-04.93.
  • Teach the application of DA PAM 738-751, TAMMS, and maintenance logbook software.
  • Teach decisive action concepts and how an unmanned aircraft system operates in offensive, defensive, stability, and defense support of civil authorities’ operations.
  • Teach concepts and participants in the operational environment.
  • Teach the fundamentals of the intelligence preparation of the battlefield process and how an unmanned aircraft system operator supports tactical decision-making by providing information that enhances situational awareness of the operational environment.
  • Teach basic aviation instrument flight rules topics, including national airspace regulations, flight instruments and systems, weather, instrument flight rules flight planning, instrument flight rules approach and departure procedures, DOD Flight Information Publications, and airspace management.
Desired Qualifications
  • IO course graduate.
  • Recency of flight: 12 hours as Aircraft Commander 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

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Akima subsidiaries won MDA SHIELD positions on March 16, 2026.
  • Akima Data Management won FDA DevSecOps support worth $4.6 million in April 2026.
  • Akima’s 2025 Washington Technology rank improved to 31, signaling stronger scale.

What critics are saying

  • Akima faces dependence on federal spending and procurement timing across U.S. agencies.
  • Arevalo v. Akima, LLC reached the Fourth Circuit in July 2026.
  • Pinnacle Solutions' GSA schedule ends August 8, 2026, threatening recompete disruption.

What makes Akima unique

  • NANA-owned Alaska Native Corporation status helps Akima win set-aside federal work.
  • Akima spans facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, and construction.
  • Pinnacle Solutions adds Air Force training and sustainment depth after April 2023 acquisition.

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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