Ideal Aerosmith | Pilot

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot - Part-Time

Ideal Aerosmith is a distinguished leader in providing precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, and comprehensive aerospace test engineering services. The company excels in ATE system engineering and quality contract manufacturing, serving the global aerospace industry. Ideal Aerosmith is dedicated to continuous innovation and fostering a lean culture through ongoing improvements in products, processes, and services to enhance efficiency, customer service, and overall performance. The company cultivates an environment where skilled problem solvers tackle complex challenges and redefine industry possibilities.

About the Role

Ideal Aerosmith seeks a dedicated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot to operate and advance next-generation Group 2 and Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This pivotal role ensures the safe execution of missions, testing, and demonstrations integral to research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), production acceptance, and operational deployments. The UAV Pilot is responsible for maintaining mission readiness, strictly adhering to FAA and DoD flight safety standards, and contributing directly to the expansion and success of Ideal Aerosmith’s UAS programs as they transition into full-scale operations.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of advanced Group 3 UAS development, directly supporting critical national defense missions. UAV Pilots will operate state-of-the-art attritable platforms, gain invaluable exposure to RDT&E and production test environments, and play a key role in Ideal Aerosmith’s strategic move into scaled unmanned aircraft manufacturing.

This part-time position is based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The role features a dynamic schedule that accommodates missions ranging from short test flights to extended endurance operations (up to 20 hours). In addition to flight operations, pilots will engage in significant mission planning and test preparation activities. This role is compensated competitively and includes unique benefits such as every other Friday off.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, brief, and execute UAS flight operations for R&D, developmental test, and operational test missions.
• Safely operate Group 2 and Group 3 UAS in both line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) environments.
• Conduct thorough pre-flight and post-flight inspections, ground checks, and mission readiness assessments.
• Execute missions in strict accordance with FAA Certificates of Waiver/Authorization (COA), Range Safety requirements, and DoD test protocols.
• Provide critical input for mission planning, flight test cards, and operational Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development.
• Support comprehensive data collection, analysis, and reporting of flight test results.
• Assist with the training and mentorship of additional operators as the program scales.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, maintainers, and program management to ensure successful sortie generation and unwavering compliance with safety standards.
• Contribute to operational test readiness reviews and support government customer demonstrations.
• Travel may be required to test ranges, customer sites, or for operational demonstrations.
• Perform field operations under diverse weather conditions to support extended endurance UAS missions (up to 24 hours).

Qualifications and Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience operating unmanned aircraft systems.
• Accumulation of 1,000+ flight hours combined on Group 2 and Group 3 UAS.
• Demonstrated experience with Group 2 / Group 3 fixed-wing operations is mandatory.

Education & Certifications:

• A Private Pilot or Sport Pilot Certificate is strongly preferred.
• A technical degree in engineering, aviation, or a related discipline is preferred.

Citizenship:

• Due to federal contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3).

Skills and Competencies

• Proven technical expertise in unmanned systems operations, avionics, or flight test environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of FAA regulations, military range operations, and UAS safety protocols.
• Experience supporting developmental and operational test events for Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
• Familiarity with TAK-based mission control systems and/or autonomous waypoint-driven operations.
• Prior experience mentoring or training UAS operators is advantageous.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-tempo test and production environment.