Director of UAS Services

First Coast Security Services, Inc.

$100K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in UAS/drone operations with a focus on program ownership
  • Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • Demonstrated success in revenue growth and business development
  • Experience in direct sales, scoping, proposals, and closing projects
  • Operational experience in planning and executing drone missions
  • Proficient in authoring SOPs and operational documentation
  • Working knowledge of scripting or programming for automation and data processing
  • Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences

Responsibilities

  • Own and manage the entire UAS vertical including revenue and budgeting
  • Lead daily flight operations and crew management
  • Drive sales and business development from prospecting to closing
  • Manage multiple concurrent client projects and ensure satisfaction
  • Ensure all regulatory and licensing compliance with the FAA
  • Author and enforce standard operating procedures for operations
  • Establish and develop the emerging counter-UAS detection capability
  • Develop software and automation to support mission operations
  • Recruit and train pilots and technicians as the team scales
  • Build relationships with vendors and regulatory contacts

Benefits

  • Medical Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • 401K/403b Plan
  • Paid Holidays
  • Short Term and Long Term Disability
  • Weekly Pay
Full Job Description
Job Skills / Requirements

The Role:

We're looking for a Director of UAS Services to own and grow our unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) vertical end to end. This is a full ownership role: you'll run operations, drive revenue, manage projects and programs, own regulatory and licensing compliance, author the SOPs that govern how we fly, and stand up our emerging counter-UAS (detection) capability.

This is not a chief-pilot seat. You'll set the strategy and own the number, then execute against it hands-on. You'll build and lead the pilot and program teams, sell the service to commercial and government clients, keep us clean with the FAA, and shape a new line of business as it scales. If you've run a drone program as a business and want the mandate to build one from the ground up, this is the seat.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Own the UAS vertical end to end, including revenue targets, budgeting, and business planning across both commercial and government client segments
  • Lead day-to-day flight operations, including crew scheduling, mission planning, safety oversight, equipment readiness, and field execution
  • Drive sales and business development, from prospecting and scoping through proposal, pricing, and close, and serve as the senior technical voice in client conversations
  • Manage projects and programs across multiple concurrent client engagements, owning scope, timeline, deliverables, and client satisfaction
  • Own all UAS regulatory and licensing compliance, including FAA Part 107 certification, waiver and airspace authorization submissions, and maintenance of currency and documentation across the pilot team
  • Author, maintain, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing flight operations, safety, maintenance, data handling, and client delivery
  • Stand up and grow FCS's emerging counter-UAS capability, focused on drone detection and airspace awareness (detection only; no active mitigation)
  • Develop and maintain the software, scripting, and automation that support mission planning, data processing, and reporting workflows
  • Recruit, train, and lead pilots, technicians, and program staff as the vertical scales
  • Build relationships with equipment vendors, technology partners, and regulatory contacts

REQUIREMENTS

  • 5+ years of progressive experience in UAS/drone operations, with demonstrated ownership of a program, service line, or business unit
  • Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with demonstrated experience obtaining Part 107 waivers and airspace authorizations
  • Proven revenue or business-ownership experience, with a track record of growing a book of business or service line
  • Direct sales or business development experience, including client-facing scoping, proposals, and closing
  • Hands-on operational experience planning and executing drone missions in real-world conditions
  • Experience authoring SOPs, safety programs, or operational documentation
  • Working proficiency in scripting or programming (e.g., Python) for automation, data processing, or mission workflows
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to move between highly technical teams and non-technical executives and clients
  • Willingness to travel up to 50% and a valid driver's license


Additional Information / Benefits

  • Paid Holidays
  • Weekly Pay
  • 401K/403b Plan
  • Short Term Disability
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Long Term Disability
  • Vision Insurance
  • Medical Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • The following screenings are required:

    • Drug Screen
    • Criminal Background Check
    • Motor Vehicle
    • Education Verification
    • Employment Verification

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, 401K/403b Plan

This job reports to the Lori Poole

This is a Full-Time position1st Shift, Remote.

Travel is required frequently

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