Mission Operations Specialist

About the role

You will serve as the primary Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) for our developmental eVTOL unmanned aerial vehicle platforms during live test events, piloting complex novel aircraft from the ground control station. You own the operational and regulatory groundwork that makes each flight possible integrating the GCS drafting concepts of operations securing flight authorizations and partnering with engineering to translate test objectives into safe executable mission profiles. You will leverage your flight test background and deep knowledge of EASA JARUS SORA and FAA Part 107 108 regulations to safely advance our aircraft from early R&D testing through to commercial certification. You will translate engineering objectives into safe executable flight test plans and pilot them dynamically within a rapid prototyping and testing environment while managing the integration testing and troubleshooting of the ground control station. You will collaborate closely with R&D engineering teams to analyze post flight telemetry evaluate handling qualities validate C2 link robustness and refine vehicle design based on real world flight execution.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Serve as the primary pilot at the ground control station during live experimental flight tests safely executing mission profiles on complex novel eVTOL unmanned aerial vehicle architectures.
• Translate engineering objectives into safe executable flight test plans and pilot them dynamically within a rapid prototyping and testing environment.
• Lead the development of concepts of operations and operational risk assessments secure flight authorizations and waivers by applying the EASA JARUS SORA framework alongside FAA Part 107 and FAA Part 108 BVLOS regulations.
• Take ownership of the integration testing and troubleshooting of ground control stations ensuring seamless command control and telemetry flow between the GCS and aircraft via C2 links and high bandwidth datalinks.
• Manage the integration functional testing and operational deployment of various R&D flight test payloads such as telemetry equipment optical sensors and ballast systems.
• Apply established UAS flight test methodologies to optimize test efficiency safety and operational procedures for our autonomous eVTOL unmanned aerial vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate closely with R&D engineering teams to analyze post flight telemetry evaluate handling qualities validate C2 link robustness and refine vehicle design based on real world flight execution.
• Coordinate with certification and regulatory teams to ensure flight test activities remain compliant with evolving regulatory expectations and internal safety standards.
• Support the planning documentation and execution of test campaigns that directly inform aircraft performance envelope expansion and system reliability improvements.
• Act as a technical liaison between flight operations engineering and test teams to ensure alignment on objectives risks and mitigation strategies.
• Drive iterative improvements to mission profiles based on observed flight performance data and emerging best practices in unmanned systems testing.
• Maintain detailed flight logs test reports and operational records to support audit readiness and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor junior operations staff on safe UAS piloting practices GCS procedures and regulatory compliance within the context of ongoing test programs.
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and best practice documentation for unmanned flight test activities.
• Participate in readiness reviews and pre test checks to confirm that all operational technical and regulatory prerequisites are satisfied before flight execution.
• Support the evaluation and integration of third party payloads and avionics into the existing GCS and data infrastructure.
• Assist in the validation of command and control link performance under varied environmental and operational conditions.

Requirements

• Hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with a proven logbook demonstrating significant flight hours as an RPIC on complex UAS or developmental eVTOL unmanned aerial vehicle platforms.
• Demonstrate hands on experience piloting complex multi rotor or thrust vectored vertical lift unmanned aerial vehicles in an R&D experimental or operational test environment.
• Earn a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering Systems Engineering Aviation or a related technical field.
• Possess professional experience in experimental R&D or certification flight test programs whether as a UAV operator pilot Flight Test Engineer or both.
• Show practical experience executing the EASA JARUS SORA process coupled with deep expertise in the FAA Part 107 and FAA Part 108 frameworks for complex or beyond visual line of sight BVLOS operations.
• Have hands on experience with ground control station integration specifically focusing on command and control C2 link architecture and performance validation.
• Have hands on experience with datalink integration including telemetry video and command link verification in complex UAS configurations.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of safety critical systems and risk management practices applicable to unmanned aerial vehicle operations in regulated environments.