UAS Operator

Location: Winchester, VA | Reports To: Head of US Flight Operations | FLSA: Non‑exempt

Company Overview

Heven AeroTech (Heven) is a recognized leader in hydrogen‑powered drones. The company emphasizes a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement, valuing humble, hungry, and smart team members who prioritize team success and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness.

Role Summary

The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operator applies extensive field experience to operate hydrogen‑powered hybrid VTOL and multirotor UAS. Responsibilities include post‑production flights, technical demonstrations, customer training, and field support. Travel to flight test ranges (~2 hours each way) is required, with mileage reimbursed if a company vehicle is unavailable; occasional CONUS and OCONUS travel may be needed. The operator maintains the health and readiness of UAS, ground control systems, ground support equipment, and air vehicles, manages logbooks and configuration records, provides user‑perspective feedback, and may assist with training documentation, issue reproduction, data collection, and controlled test execution.

Essential Responsibilities

• Operate air vehicles, ground control systems, ground support equipment, payloads, radios, and associated equipment during demonstration and test flights.
• Execute approved flight plans, test cards, ground test procedures, checklists, and flight profiles for Group 2+ UAS.
• Support engineering reporting by providing operator notes, flight logs, configuration records, and factual observations.
• Assist with installation, checkout, and troubleshooting of approved payloads, radios, harnesses, and electromechanical integrations under engineering direction.
• Provide product feedback to the engineering team to inform design objectives and improvements for sustainment‑ready military UAS.
• Develop and implement customer use cases of the air vehicle.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 4 years military or commercial UAS operations experience in a deployed or testing environment.
• Experience drafting and/or maintaining logbooks, maintenance records, configuration records, and discrepancy documentation in a controlled operational or test environment.
• Ability to execute approved test cards, checklists, and flight plans while remaining within defined operational limitations and test parameters.
• Strong discipline in pre‑flight, post‑flight, configuration control, and anomaly documentation processes.
• Ability to present technical data to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to maintain and optimize complex systems, including preventative maintenance.
• Ability to inspect, install, troubleshoot, and perform basic repairs on payload and radio integration harnesses under engineering direction.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to maintaining and improving safety for personnel and equipment.
• Collaborative, professional, and effective in conflict resolution.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance (or ability to obtain).
• Active Class 2 FAA Medical Certification (or ability to obtain).
• Professional working proficiency in English (spoken and written).
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship; applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.
• If the role requires access to ITAR/EAR‑controlled information, applicants must qualify as a “U.S. person” under 22 CFR 120.62.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with military, fixed‑wing VTOL or multirotor, and Group 2+ categories in operational or test environments.
• Military or civilian UAS/aviation instructor experience.
• Supporting developmental flight testing, ground testing, iron‑bird testing, or controlled system checkout activities.
• Experience with STANAG 4586 GCS software such as Vigilant Spirit.
• Experience with SOCOM Modular Payload standards.
• Manual flight control experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry equipment up to 50 lb regularly.
• Ability to stand, walk, and work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, dust).
• Ability to travel by vehicle for up to ~2 hours each way to flight locations.
• Ability to set up, operate, and break down flight test equipment in field environments.
• Manual dexterity to assemble, maintain, and troubleshoot mechanical and electronic systems.
• Ability to work in physically dynamic environments, including uneven terrain and remote locations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to safely operate UAS and monitor flight operations.
• Ability to comply with all safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

Benefits Overview

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid time off and sick leave.
• Critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability protection.

Pay

Budgeted salary range: $42 USD – $51 USD per hour.