Job Title: UAS SYSTEM ENGINEER/ INSTRUCTOR
Department: FLIGHT OPERATIONS
Reports To: DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRAINING OPERATIONS
Classification: FULL-TIME
Clearance: ABILITY TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A SECRET CLEARANCE
Location: BLACKSTONE, VA
Job SummaryThe UAS Systems Engineer / Instructor supports the operation, sustainment, development, and training of Vanilla UAS. This role combines systems engineering expertise with instructor capabilities to deliver classroom, simulator, and live-flight instruction while supporting system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Duties/Responsibilities- Develop and deliver classroom, simulator, and live-flight instruction to UAS operators, maintainers, and support personnel.
- Support Vanilla UAS system integration, sustainment, and configuration management activities.
- Develop, manage, and trace system requirements, and support verification and validation efforts.
- Plan, support, and execute developmental and operational testing, including data collection and analysis.
- Troubleshoot system and ground control station issues, perform engineering analysis, and recommend corrective actions.
- Support flight operations and mission planning, ensuring safe and compliant operations in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance, training effectiveness, and mission readiness.
- Prepare technical documentation, reports, and briefings for leadership and customers.
- Perform other duties as are necessary and/or required.
Basic Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Management, or a related field.
- 5+ years of technical experience with UAS.
- 5+ years of experience in network and/or systems engineering.
- Experience operating, maintaining, or supporting Group 3 UAS platforms.
- Experience developing or delivering technical training programs.
- Working knowledge of:
- Systems engineering processes
- Requirements management
- Verification and validation
- Configuration management
- Flight operations
- Mission planning systems
- Ground control stations
- Ability to travel up to 50%.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Secret Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) UAS programs.
- Previous military instructor qualification, or instructor certification from a military, government, or industry training organization.
- Experience supporting developmental or operational testing.
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
- Experience using Cameo Systems Modeler, DOORS, Jira, Confluence, MATLAB, and/or Python.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and/or Private Pilot License (PPL).
Physical RequirementsMust be able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
- Prolonged standing, walking, bending, and kneeling.
- Perceiving differences in wire and indicator light colors.
- Operating hand and power tools.
- Lifting, carrying, and/or moving tools, equipment, and components weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Working in confined spaces and around aircraft.
- Ascending and descending ladders or stairs as required.
Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, education and training, job-related knowledge and skills, the scope and level of responsibility of the position, internal equity, and market/business considerations. The listed range is a general guideline and may vary based on the selected candidate's qualifications and work location, where applicable.
