Precise Systems

UAS Flight Operations Manager

Precise Systems • $90K — $120K *
Crane, IN 47522In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
  • 3+ years UxS work experience, or 11+ years with formal training.
  • Minimum 3 years piloting Groups I-III fixed-wing and multirotor UxS platforms.
  • Thorough knowledge of radio-controlled aircraft components and systems.
  • Experience managing UxS operations in Government and field-test environments.

Responsibilities

  • Establish and improve Flight Operations Centers (FOCs) for Counter-UxS activities.
  • Serve as the operational authority for flight-event execution and go/no-go recommendations.
  • Coordinate mission requirements with military and FAA air traffic authorities.
  • Obtain and manage flight waivers and operational clearances for regulated operations.
  • Conduct pre-mission planning, flight reviews, and evaluations for UxS pilots.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a mission-essential role supporting national defense.
  • Engagement in a rapidly evolving field of Counter-Unmanned Systems.
  • Chance to develop and lead training programs for flight operations.
  • Collaboration with a diverse range of personnel across different sectors.
Full Job Description
Job Description

We are seeking a UAS Flight Operations Manager to provide 100% support to MXQW in Crane, Indiana. This position is a mission-essential role supporting Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UxS) test and evaluation activities nationwide. The successful candidate will establish and operate permanent and temporary Flight Operations Centers (FOCs), coordinate complex UAS operations in regulated military and civil airspace, and enable safe, compliant, and effective execution of developmental and operationally relevant test events.

This role requires in-person support.

Duties:
  • Establish, operate, and continuously improve permanent and temporary Flight Operations Centers (FOCs) supporting Counter-UxS testing activities.
  • Serve as the central operational authority for flight-event execution and provide go/no-go recommendations for all flight operations.
  • Coordinate mission requirements with military and FAA air traffic controllers, range control personnel, and military airspace managers to ensure full compliance with airspace regulations, local restrictions, and mission approvals.
  • Obtain and manage required flight waivers, airspace approvals, and operational clearances for UAS operations in highly regulated environments.
  • Conduct pre-mission planning, flight reviews, mission evaluations, and post-mission debriefings for UxS pilots and supporting crewmembers.
  • Verify completion and quality of post-mission reports, logs, aircraft records, battery records, incident documentation, and operational data capture.
  • Develop, document, and maintain Ground Operations Procedures, Flight Operations Procedures, locality-based SOPs, and safety procedures supporting nationwide test events.
  • Develop and maintain a flight operations management system that tracks aircraft and battery logs, pilot credentials and currency, flight planning data, airspace restrictions, incidents, and training status.
  • Maintain pilot qualification and currency, identify training deficiencies, schedule recurring training, and develop a comprehensive UxS flight safety program.
  • Interpret Counter-UxS testing requirements, formulate testable criteria, and develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) that enable realistic, measurable, and mission-relevant test events.
  • Develop and deliver training curricula, operational briefings, and instructional material ranging from introductory UAS content to specialized flight operations topics.
  • Perform and instruct others in critical crewmember roles, including Pilot-in-Command, Visual Observer, and Aviation Safety Officer.
  • Coordinate with engineering and maintenance personnel to support payload integration, aircraft readiness, and safety-of-flight reviews.
  • Manage applicable Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) associated with flight operations and ensure proper accountability, readiness, and safe operational use.
  • Support field execution of test events, including scheduling, setup, coordination of facilities and ranges, event support, and after-action documentation.
  • Contribute to test plans, briefings, procedures, reports, and lessons learned supporting broader T&E objectives.

Desired Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.

Desired Experience:
  • 3+ years of UxS work experience; or high school diploma with formal UxS training and a minimum of 11 years of UxS work experience.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience piloting Groups I-III fixed-wing and multirotor UxS platforms.
  • Thorough knowledge of common radio-controlled aircraft components, flight controllers, propulsion systems, and control architectures.
  • Experience managing UxS operations and pilots in both Government and field-test environments.
  • Experience coordinating with DoD and FAA airspace authorities, including military tower coordination, military range coordination, and DoD flight line operations.
  • Ability to inspect, evaluate, and operationally check propulsion systems, flight-control systems, and related components pre-flight and post-flight.
  • Familiarity with applicable FAA and DoD UxS policy documents, especially those governing GOCO and COCO operations for Class I-III UxS in the National Airspace System and DoD-owned airspace.
  • Experience developing UAS flight operations procedures, ground operations procedures, and safety policies.
  • Strong ability to collaborate with personnel across engineering, aviation, military operations, safety, and test organizations.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare briefings, reports, SOPs, and training materials.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Additional operator certifications and/or type ratings applicable to fixed-wing or rotary-wing UxS issued by the DoD, FAA, or manufacturer.
  • Experience supporting Counter-UxS, Counter-UAS, or broader test and evaluation activities in military or Government environments.
  • Experience standing up and operating temporary or expeditionary Flight Operations Centers.
  • Experience supporting nationwide test events at military ranges, federal test sites, and complex civil/military airspace locations.
  • Familiarity with Government range processes, test-event documentation, and operational risk management for field aviation events.
  • Experience supporting payload integration, engineering flight support, maintenance coordination, or system readiness reviews.
  • Experience briefing senior Government, military, and test leadership on flight readiness, operational risk, and mission execution.
  • Ability to support surge travel and variable testing schedules.

Required Certifications/Training:
  • Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with small UxS rating.
  • Documented training and operational proficiency in all topics included in Basic UxS Qualification (BUQ) I, plus fixed-wing training including the Navigation category of BUQ Level II and III and the Instrument category of BUQ Level III.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

About Precise Systems

Precise Systems is a professional services company currently working for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force. Precise Systems provides professional services in the areas of program management, administrative support, engineering, logistics, and information technology. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Lexington Park, Maryland.
Learn more about Precise Systems
Size
500 employees
Industry
Information Technology
* Ladders Estimates

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