UAS Operations Specialist - Pilot

About the Role

As a UAS Operations Specialist, you’ll join Flight Operations as a pilot supporting commercial drone delivery under Part 135. All hires complete the company’s FAA approved training, aircraft qualification, and checking requirements before serving as Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) and maintain required recurrent training, currency, and proficiency.

Qualified pilots may be selected as a Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, or Check Pilot based on experience, demonstrated proficiency, and program needs. These assignments require additional qualification, evaluation, company designation, and FAA approval where required.

You’ll also support Part 107 flight testing, developmental operations, and system validation as assigned, working alongside Flight Test and cross-functional teams within applicable FAA authorizations, operating limitations, and established safety controls.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a commercial UAS RPIC, once qualified and authorized, under the direction of the Flight Operations Lead, Assistant Chief Pilot, and Chief Pilot.
• Complete required initial ground and flight training, aircraft-specific qualification, and knowledge and competency checks, including supervised operating experience where required, before assuming assigned operational duties.
• Maintain applicable pilot certificates, qualifications, currency, recurrent training, required checks, and medical eligibility where required by the company’s operating authorizations.
• Conduct preflight planning, aircraft readiness verification, weather and airspace review, mission execution, aircraft monitoring, and post-flight activities in accordance with assigned pilot responsibilities.
• Apply company manuals, SOPs, checklists, Operations Specifications, exemptions, waivers, and other applicable FAA authorizations for the aircraft, mission, and operating framework involved.
• Exercise sound aeronautical decision-making and risk management, including delaying, discontinuing, or terminating flight activities when conditions exceed established limitations or safety controls.
• Support Part 107 operations as assigned, including developmental flight testing, validation, demonstrations, and other authorized program activities.
• Work with flight test personnel and cross-functional teams to execute approved test plans, flight test cards, procedures, and data collection objectives within the scope of assigned pilot duties to gain aircraft knowledge and experience.
• Provide structured feedback on aircraft behavior, system performance, pilot interfaces, procedures, and operational limitations observed during commercial and test operations.
• Identify, verify, and document delivery zones, operational areas, and mission constraints, and report hazards, aircraft discrepancies, abnormal conditions, and emerging risks through established channels.
• Maintain accurate flight, training, qualification, currency, and operational records, including test observations and reports required for assigned activities.
• Participate in standardization and safety reporting, and contribute operational expertise to SOPs, manuals, checklists, training materials, and flight procedures.
• When selected and qualified, perform assigned flight instruction, ground instruction, or checking duties only within the scope of the applicable designation and authorization.
• Support aircraft staging, equipment preparation, site setup, recovery, repositioning, and mission coordination as needed to conduct flight operations.
• Operate in outdoor environments involving extended standing, equipment handling, and varying weather conditions, while adhering to company safety practices and operating limits.
• Maintain schedule flexibility for commercial operations, training, and testing, including day, evening, and weekend shifts as required by program needs.
• Participate in the company’s FAA/DOT drug and alcohol testing program, including pre-employment drug screening and ongoing testing as required for assigned safety-sensitive duties under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40.

You’re Excited About This Opportunity Because You Will…

• Operate UAS in a commercial Part 135 delivery operation with defined pilot responsibilities and operational standards.
• Develop through a structured pilot training, qualification, checking, and standardization program.
• Apply aviation fundamentals across commercial operations and Part 107 flight testing.
• Work alongside flight test personnel and technical teams to evaluate aircraft systems, procedures, and future capabilities.
• Be considered for instructor or check-pilot responsibilities as you meet applicable qualifications and the needs of the program.
• Contribute directly to safe, scalable, and repeatable drone delivery operations.

We’re Excited About You Because…

• You’re Certified and Experienced:
  You hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, maintain the required Part 107 aeronautical knowledge currency, and meet the additional pilot certification and eligibility requirements applicable to the company’s Part 135 operation. You have relevant commercial UAS or aviation flight experience.

• You Have Strong Aviation Fundamentals:
  You understand FAA regulations, airspace, weather, aircraft limitations, risk management, and aeronautical decision-making, and can apply them during live operations.

• You Meet and Maintain Qualification Standards:
  You can successfully complete required training, knowledge and competency evaluations, recurrent checks, and standardization requirements and maintain eligibility for assigned pilot duties.
• You’re Procedurally Minded:
  You consistently apply manuals, checklists, SOPs, operating limitations, and flight test procedures, and exercise sound judgment when conditions change.
• You Can Support Flight Testing and Technical Collaboration:
  You can execute defined test objectives, communicate observations clearly, and work effectively with Flight Test and cross-functional teams while maintaining pilot responsibilities and established safety controls.
• You Document with Discipline:
  You maintain accurate flight, training, qualification, and operational records and provide clear reporting that supports traceability, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• You’re Prepared for Additional Responsibility:
  You understand that Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and Check Pilot assignments require role-specific qualification and authorization. Selection depends on experience, demonstrated performance, regulatory eligibility, and program needs.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be on the front lines of aerial innovation, directly contributing to the development, validation, and scaling of commercial drone delivery systems. This is a high-impact, hands-on role where your aviation judgment, technical skills, and procedural discipline help define how autonomous delivery operates in the real world.

The national base pay range for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado. 28.4 - 41.8 USD