UAS Test Pilot
Location: Orange, FL
Required Clearance: None
Since 1999, ITEC has delivered mission-critical support to the DoD and Intelligence Community. Now part of ManpowerGroup Public Sector (MGPS), we continue that work with expanded capabilities. Employees hired through this process will join MGPS and receive a comprehensive benefits package and competitive pay.
Job Description:
The UAS Test Pilot is responsible for conducting flight testing, functional validation, and operational evaluation of Class 1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of production, quality, engineering, and customer requirements. This position operates and evaluates multiple UAS platforms of varying sizes and configurations, with a strong emphasis on First Person View (FPV) flight operations.
The UAS Test Pilot works closely with production, engineering, quality, and other technical personnel to verify aircraft performance, identify deficiencies, troubleshoot flight-related issues, and ensure UAS platforms meet established performance and quality requirements prior to acceptance or delivery.
This position requires extensive hands-on FPV flight experience and the ability to safely and consistently operate UAS platforms in an outdoor flight-test environment. Prior U.S. Military UAS experience, either as a Warfighter/operator or as a contractor supporting military UAS programs, is strongly preferred.
Job Responsibilities:
- Conduct production and functional flight testing of Class 1 UAS platforms of various sizes and configurations.
- Perform FPV flight operations to validate aircraft functionality, performance, handling characteristics, and overall flight readiness.
- Execute established flight profiles, test procedures, work instructions, and acceptance criteria.
- Conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections of aircraft, controllers, batteries, payloads, and associated equipment.
- Verify aircraft setup, controller binding, configuration, communications, video systems, and flight-control functionality prior to flight.
- Evaluate aircraft stability, responsiveness, propulsion performance, control, video feed, communications, and other flight characteristics.
- Identify abnormal flight characteristics, component failures, configuration issues, or other deficiencies discovered during testing.
- Accurately document flight-test results, failures, discrepancies, and other required production or quality information.
- Communicate flight test findings and technical issues to production, quality, engineering, and other appropriate personnel.
- Assist with troubleshooting UAS platforms that fail production or flight testing.
- Support re-testing and verification of aircraft following repair, adjustment, or corrective action.
- Maintain accountability and proper handling of aircraft, batteries, controllers, FPV equipment, tools, and test equipment.
- Follow established flight safety procedures, operating boundaries, test-range requirements, and applicable FAA regulations.
- Maintain situational awareness of aircraft, personnel, obstacles, environmental conditions, and other flight operations.
- Support high-volume production operations requiring the testing of multiple aircraft throughout the workday.
- Support developmental testing, operational evaluations, customer demonstrations, and other UAS flight activities as required.
- Maintain required FAA certification and recurrent training requirements necessary to perform assigned UAS flight operations.
- Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.
Required Skills:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Extensive hands-on FPV UAS flight experience and proficiency safely operating FPV UAS using manual flight controls.
- Experience operating and testing Class 1 UAS platforms of varying sizes and configurations.
- Working knowledge of UAS components and systems, including flight controllers, motors, ESCs, propellers, batteries, radio systems, antennas, controllers, and FPV/video systems.
- Ability to recognize abnormal aircraft behavior, flight characteristics, or system performance.
- Ability to follow written flight-test procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and acceptance criteria.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Strong situational awareness and sound judgment during flight operations.
- Ability to transition between different UAS platforms, configurations, and flight characteristics.
- Ability to accurately document and communicate flight-test results and technical issues.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume production and flight-test environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in both field and production environments, orally and in writing.
- Valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required, and ability to maintain certification.
- Must maintain a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and complete all required recurrent
- Training or other FAA requirements necessary to perform assigned flight operations throughout employment.
Desired Skills:
- Technical school or military technical training preferred.
- College-level education or degree in unmanned systems, aviation, engineering technology, electronics, or a related technical field.