Full-Time

Unmanned Aircraft System Flight Instructor

Flight Instructor

Deadline 6/8/27
Akima

Akima

1,001-5,000 employees

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

Compensation Overview

$50.01/hr

Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

In Person

Category
Training (1)

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Requirements
  • Documented graduation from a U.S. Military UAS qualification course, qualified in Groups 3-5; Remote Pilot Certificates are not accepted as SUAS operator qualification.
  • Aircraft Commander designation with 50 hours as Aircraft Commander or 25 sorties.
  • Ability to obtain Public Trust Clearance.
  • Ability to satisfactorily complete all evaluations per AR 95-20, including instructor evaluations, oral academic evaluations, no-notice evaluations, Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization evaluations, Proficiency Flight Evaluations, and Standardization Flight Evaluations.
Responsibilities
  • Teach procedures for takeoff, landing, and tactical employment of Group 1-3 UAS.
  • Teach the fundamentals and application of Army Air Crew Coordination.
  • Teach the capabilities, emergency procedures, limitations, and system logic of the TUAS/sUAS and its payloads.
  • Teach the fundamentals and conduct of TUAS/sUAS missions, emphasizing route, zone, and area reconnaissance; aerial surveillance; security operations; and employment of the TUAS/sUAS in attack missions.
  • Teach mission planning and approval processes, including METT-TC, risk assessment, and performance planning.
  • Teach the concepts and application of Army reporting formats, including SALUTE, SALTW, and BDA reports.
  • Teach national airspace concepts, including restricted areas and Class D airspace, and Air Traffic Control phraseology.
  • Teach configuration of system radios for flight operations and communications relay.
  • Teach map-reading techniques for UAS operations.
  • Teach laser safety, types of lasers on UAS, employment, capabilities, detractors, and effective utilization during UAS missions.
  • Teach combat vehicle identification and familiarity with major U.S., allied, and threat equipment.
  • Teach military symbology.
  • Teach fratricide prevention for UAS operators 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 3-04.61, TC 3-04.3, AR 40-8, and TC 3-04.93.
  • Teach the application of DA PAM 738-751 and maintenance logbook software.
  • Teach decisive action and how a UAS operates in offensive, defensive, stability, and defense support of civil authorities’ operations.
  • Teach the operational environment and its eight operational variables.
  • Teach the Intelligence Preparation for the Battlefield process as a UAS operator.
  • Support the commander’s tactical decision-making by providing information that enhances situational awareness of the operational environment.
Desired Qualifications
  • Four years of operational flying experience in Groups 3-5 UAS.
  • 200 hours of cumulative live flight and simulator experience on Groups 3-5 UAS.
  • Graduation from an IO/IP Course for UAS and/or manned aircraft.
  • Additional SUAS qualifications or experience.
  • An FAA Class II or Class III Medical Certificate is preferred.

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