A

Akima

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

Unmanned Aircraft System Flight Instructor

Full-TimeDeadline 6/8/27
$50.01/hr
Mid
Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
In Person
TrainingCorporate & Technical Training

About the job

Requirements
  • Be a documented graduate of a U.S. military UAS qualification course and qualified in Groups 3–5; Remote Pilot Certificates are not accepted as sUAS operator qualification.
  • Have an Aircraft Commander designation with 50 hours as Aircraft Commander or 25 sorties.
  • Be able to obtain Public Trust clearance.
  • Be able to satisfactorily complete instructor, oral academic, no-notice, Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization, Proficiency Flight, and Standardization Flight evaluations.
Responsibilities
  • Provide instruction and train Army personnel in the operation of Army sUAS and future TUAS Army aircraft.
  • Teach aviation academics, flight simulation, live flight operations, and maintenance fundamentals.
  • 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 TUAS/sUAS and its payloads.
  • Teach TUAS/sUAS mission fundamentals and conduct, emphasizing route, zone, and area reconnaissance; aerial surveillance; security operations; and employment in attack missions.
  • Teach mission planning and approval, including METT-TC, risk assessment, and performance planning.
  • Teach Army reporting formats, including SALUTE, SALTW, and BDA reports.
  • Teach National Airspace familiarity, 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, laser types on UAS, employment, capabilities, detractors, and effective use during UAS missions.
  • Teach combat vehicle identification and familiarity with major U.S., allied, and threat equipment.
  • Teach military symbology.
  • Teach fratricide prevention through positive target identification and situational awareness.
  • Teach joint procedures for calls for indirect fire and laser designation for a Hellfire missile.
  • Teach and apply AR 95-1, TC 3-04.61, TC 3-04.3, AR 40-8, and TC 3-04.93.
  • Teach and apply DA PAM 738-751 (TAMMS) and maintenance logbook software.
  • Teach decisive action and how a UAS operates in offensive, defensive, stability, and defense-support-of-civil-authorities operations.
  • Teach concepts and participants in the operational environment and its eight operational variables.
  • Teach the fundamentals of 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 cumulative hours of live flight and simulator time on Groups 3–5 UAS.
  • UAS and/or manned-aircraft IO/IP course graduate.
  • Additional sUAS qualifications or experience.
  • FAA Class II or Class III Medical Certificate.

About the company

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'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
Oct 8th, 2026
Akima appoints Michael Teegardin as VP of marketing and communications

Akima, a federal government solutions provider with over 11,000 employees, has appointed Michael Teegardin as Vice President of Marketing & Communications. Teegardin will lead the company's brand, marketing, and communications strategy across the enterprise. Teegardin brings more than 20 years of experience advising senior leadership in the defence, aerospace, and federal services sectors. He most recently served as Chief Communications Officer at ASRC Federal, where he established the enterprise marketing function and led the company's rebranding. Previously, Teegardin held communications positions at BAE Systems and Weber Shandwick. A US Army veteran, he served as an intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University. Akima is a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation.

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