Operations Specialist - Unmanned Systems

Responsibilities

Be a Part of Critical Unmanned System Test and Evaluation: Join Noblis

Noblis is seeking talented professionals across multiple disciplines to support a growing federal unmanned systems (UXS) and counter-unmanned systems (CUXS) Test & Evaluation (T&E) program. This program will execute numerous verification and validation (V&V) test events annually across geographically dispersed sites, assessing UXS/CUXS modalities in collaboration with multiple federal agencies. This is a high-tempo, mission-driven environment requiring strong operational and test experience, technical depth, and the ability drive successful execution of complex T&E efforts in coordination with government stakeholders.

At Noblis and Noblis ESI, we have excellent teams of smart, collaborative, proactive experts and professionals. We are actively seeking personnel with experience, vision, commitment, and integrity to join our team and directly contribute to advancing the nation's counter-unmanned systems capabilities. At Noblis, we pride ourselves on our support of technology and operational solutions that enhance our nation's security and resilience.

Description

Noblis is seeking Operations Specialists to support unmanned systems (UXS) and counter-unmanned systems (CUXS) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) programs. These positions are hands-on, field-forward roles responsible for supporting T&E of diverse technologies across ground, maritime and aerial domains.

Operations Specialists support T&E events by ensuring systems are mission-ready, properly configured, and effectively employed to meet test objectives. They support the test planning including defining test objective and requirements, test cases and support test execution to ensure events validate claims and assess equipment capabilities to meet desired concepts of operations. They bring operational experience deploying technologies to help guide RDT&E efforts and support T&E, ensuring test events successfully validate technologies against requirements and field realities.  They provide program leadership with operator-level feedback that informs requirements and drives future capability development.

Role Focus: Operations Specialists thrive in dynamic, multi-system environments and can adapt quickly to evolving test conditions, emerging technologies, and compressed timelines.

This work is performed on client site in Washington, DC or at remote sites as required in accordance with the requirements of the contract. Applicants must be located within the National Capital Region. This position is expected to require up to 30% travel.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development of T&E event planning and requirements from customer test objectives for multiple overlapping test events. 
• Provide technical and operational expertise and coordinate test support requirements with the program manager, test director, site manager, and test teams.
• Support field operations and RDT&E of UXS and CUXS technologies including ground, maritime, aerial, and other operational settings.
• Coordinate with test directors, logistics specialists, and site managers to ensure equipment, personnel, and support are aligned for each test event.
• Document system performance, anomalies, and operator observations during test events to support post-test analysis and reporting.
• Provide operator-level input on mission requirements, system performance, and capability gaps, informing test design, capability development, and technology transition.
• Partner with Test Directors in ensuring safe and compliant operation of technologies during T&E events, including pre-mission checklists and troubleshooting.
• Support test events in denied environments (GPS-denied, communications-degraded, contested spectrum) as required.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, airspace requirements, and operational procedures during all test activities.
• Support equipment inventory, accountability, and transport between test sites in coordination with logistics staff.
• Design, prepare and implement standard operating procedures, checklists and policy updates that cover normal procedures and emerging requirements.
• Collaborate with program managers, test directors, project teams and site leads to ensure logistics align with each test events goals, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively track and alert Government stakeholders to potential issues.
• Offer technical leadership, advice, and guidance on field operations, operational usage, planning, and other areas to Program managers, test directors and other staff.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship is required.
• Successfully pass U.S. Government Agency background investigation/verification and receive a successful final suitability determination.
• Active TS clearance with ability to successfully obtain SCI access.
• Demostrated experience:
  • Field experience and/or test experience deploying UXS and/or CUXS technologies in at least one operational environment (ground, maritime, aerial).
  • Drafting or supporting requirements development at the federal government space.
  • Solving problems in advance of, and during, test and evaluation events, and the ability to troubleshoot systems in real-time.
  • Leading or supporting T&E events, including ensuring events are safe and compliant with airspace or other requirements and ensuring operational procedures are followed.
  • Experience identifying and discussing advantages and limitations of technologies, with experience describing impact of technologies (or the lack of technologies) to program and senior Leadership.
  • Test and evaluation, working with cross-functional teams to develop and ensure testing approaches, metrics, and techniques to evaluate technologies against concepts of operations and requirements.
  • Ensuring compliance of test articles
• Strong communication skills and the ability to clearly articulate system performance, issues, and recommendations to test directors and program leadership.
• Availability to travel up to 30%.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Field Mobility: Ability to walk and stand for extended periods (up to 4–8 hours) while conducting site assessments, inspections, or equipment evaluations on varied terrain including paved surfaces, gravel, and uneven ground.
• Lifting/Material Handling: Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds unassisted; occasionally required to move heavier items with assistance or mechanical aids.
• Driving: Requires a valid driver's license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle for travel to field locations.
• Physical Engagement: Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching overhead, and climbing stairs or ladders as required during site inspections and equipment evaluations. Requires sufficient manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment and hand tools.
• Travel: This position requires travel up to 25% of the time, including to remote or austere field locations with limited amenities. Work may occur in outdoor environments subject to varying weather conditions.
• Work Environment: May include exposure to outdoor elements, industrial or construction-adjacent settings, and environments with limited infrastructure.

Educational and Experience Requirements

Expert – level

• Advanced degree in engineering, aviation, robotics related technical field with 10+ years of relevant experience; OR more than 5 years of additional specialized experience in these fields (15+ years).
• Extensive multi-domain operational experience including leadership of field teams and managing multi-system, multi-operator test events and providing feedback to USG leadership.
• Salary: $132,900 - $207,750

Senior-level

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, aviation, robotics, related technical field with 10 years of relevant operational experience; OR Master's degree with 5 years of relevant experience; OR PhD in related field.
• Extensive single-domain operational experience including leadership of field teams and managing multi-system, multi-operator test events.
• Experience developing SOPs, managing property accountability, and leading logistics planning independently.
• Demonstrated experience providing operator-level feedback that informed requirements or capability development.
• Range: $109,800 - $171,525

Junior-level

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, aviation, robotics, or related technical field with 1–5 years of relevant operational experience.
• Hands-on experience deploying or operating unmanned or counter-unmanned systems.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new platforms quickly.
• Range: $90,700 - $141,775

Desired Qualifications

• Active TS//SCI clearance.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Familiarity with FAA Certificates of Authorization (COAs) or airspace coordination for UAS operations.
• Experience with multiple CUAS platforms (RF detection, radar, EO/IR, kinetic/non-kinetic effectors).
• Experience with Group 1–3 UAS platforms.
• Experience with unmanned ground, surface or underwater vehicle T&E.
• Experience operating multiple systems simultaneously in complex test or operational scenarios.
• Experience operating in GPS-denied, spectrum-contested, or communications-degraded environments.
• Experience supporting federal T&E programs (defense or homeland security).
• Experience with federal property accountability systems and unmanned aircraft usage policies.
• Experience conducting technical reviews of vendor test plans, technology reports and deliverables.
• Experience developing SOPs for field events.
• Experience providing operator feedback that informed requirements or capability development.
• Knowledge of airspace coordination, COAs, and range safety procedures.
• Military experience in UAS operations, electronic warfare, air defense, or related fields.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; proactive, solution-oriented, with exceptional time management skills.

Overview

Overview

Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI and Noblis MSD, take on some of the nation’s toughest challenges, delivering advanced solutions to our customers’ most critical missions. We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded in objectivity and collaboration, ensuring our work creates lasting impact across federal missions.

We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org

Why Work at Noblis

At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission‑driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.

Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well‑being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug‑free workplace.

Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.

EEO is the Law  |  E-Verify  |  Right to Work

Total Rewards

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.

Posted Salary Range

USD $90,700.00 - USD $207,750.00 /Yr.