Aircraft Operator

About the role

Provide (SUAS/Aerosonde) Air Vehicle Operator support to the various initiatives underway within Textron Systems ULA division. Duties include, but are not limited to, assisting project engineering with all aspects of new product integration, implementation, and testing in both ground and flight environments, support of new integration flight tests, customer training and support, and system capability demonstration flights of production SUAS platforms at operational locations around the globe. Additional duties will include emplacement, displacement, periodic and routine inspection, required maintenance, and replenishment of other associated ground equipment as well as proper notation of logbooks and records. Duties and responsibilities will also require a substantial amount of travel both domestically and internationally in support of our product line and customer relations. Additional daily duties may occur on a situational basis and will be assigned as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an Aerosonde crewmember supporting Training, Demonstration, and Research/Development operations.
• Perform all required flight duties in a safe and efficient manner.
• Represent the Aerosonde Internal Research and Development team in coordinating local flight test needs.
• Perform tasks including integration, troubleshooting, emplacement, displacement, inspection, disposition, repair, and replenishment of associated equipment.
• Maintain accurate logbooks, flight records, and COLTS documentation.
• Manage frequency deconfliction, airspace reservations, and test site preparation, including requisitioning supplemental Ground Support Equipment.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for operator and maintenance-related issues.
• Aid multiple engineering disciplines with integration, test of product improvements.
• Aid in the preparation of test engineering work products, including test plans, procedures, and reports, to internal review teams and external customers.
• Support offsite testing and demonstrations.
• Actively perform lab maintenance, safety audits, and material tracking.
• Act as the liaison between Engineering, Training and Publications teams, and other users.

Qualifications

• Prior UAS operator experience is highly desired.
• Piccolo or Cloud Cap Autopilot, and/or Aerosonde experience is desired, however, all UAV system experience will be considered.
• Tech certificates from trade schools, military technical schools or community college preferred.
• FAA licenses or certificates such as Part 107 is desirable.
• Successful candidate must have a working knowledge of computers to include: Operational understanding of Local Area Networks, Video distribution and encoding, IP schemas, Computer hardware (SSD, RAM, GPU, Etc.), Experience with and understanding of radio datalinks, mesh networks, and frequency bands.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Willing to travel up to 50% domestic with international travel possible.
• Knowledge of GPS systems, Electronic Speed Controllers, and small electronic devices is desired.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasking.
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
• Must be a team player and able to work with minimum supervision.
• General Mechanical or Electrical aptitude desired.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Ability to work extended hours to meet program goals.
• Working knowledge of UAS and Military hardware is a plus.
• Ability to work in tight quarters and confined spaces.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a US Government SECRET security clearance and an FAA Class II Medical certificate.

Benefits

Textron's compensation package includes competitive base pay and provides eligible employees with benefit programs. Benefits may include health insurance and prescription plan coverage, dental insurance, family building benefits, vision insurance, mental health resources, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and programs that provide employees time away from work.