AEVEX
AEVEX seeks experienced unmanned aircraft operators to serve as Pilot in Command for high-endurance drone systems supporting Department of Defense missions at national and theater levels. The role centers on safe aircraft operation, mission planning and execution, crew coordination, and ground safety management across preflight through postflight phases. You'll maintain situational awareness of complex mission environments, understand defense industry protocols, and potentially relocate to a continental U.S. duty station. This position suits operators with substantial aviation backgrounds: a minimum of 500-1,000 manned flight hours plus 200-500 unmanned aircraft PIC hours, with at least 100+ total UAS hours as pilot in command. You must hold an FAA Private Pilot License with Instrument rating, maintain a Class II medical certificate, and possess an active DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher. Prior OCONUS deployment experience is essential, along with proficiency in beyond-line-of-sight aircraft control and autopilot systems like Piccolo PCC. Candidates should be U.S. citizens with valid passports, strong communication abilities, and willingness to work extended or shifted hours in a team environment. Computer competency in Office Suite, collaboration tools, and Adobe forms is required. The position involves developing training programs and instructing personnel on tactics and procedures, making subject matter expertise valuable. Located in Sierra Vista, Arizona, this full-time role demands meeting combat readiness requirements and theater entry standards for deployment locations.
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Job Overview
Position primarily functions as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Mission Commander on unmanned aircraft for a Department of Defense national, theater, operational or tactical level customer. The AVO is responsible for coordinating ground and flight operations efforts including mission planning, execution and briefing, debriefing, crew resource management, and ground & flight safety. The AVO is responsible for tasking of the aircraft from preflight, launch, mission, landing, and post flight operations and to monitoring all vital signs of the aircraft. The AVO is the PIC responsible for safe and legal flight of the air vehicle.
Essential Functions
Standard Essential Functions
Qualifications and Competencies
Education / Certifications
Experience
Minimum 2-4 years of relative experience and knowledge of basic UAS flight systems and operations.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:
Security Clearance
About AEVEX
AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
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