Poseidon Aerospace, an innovative leader in autonomous cargo aircraft, is seeking a skilled and disciplined Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) to join its team in San Francisco. This pivotal full-time, on-site role involves serving as the primary pilot for next-generation autonomous cargo aircraft like Heron and Egret during developmental flight testing and operational demonstrations.
About the Role
As a Pilot at Poseidon Aerospace, the successful candidate will serve as the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) for the company's full-size autonomous cargo aircraft during critical developmental flight testing and operational demonstrations. This role prioritizes exceptional Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operational experience, sharp situational awareness, and the discipline required for safe, repeatable test operations. Responsibilities encompass owning the aircraft from preflight to post-flight, executing precise flight test cards, leading briefings and debriefings, making critical go/no-go decisions, and rigorously applying Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency procedures. When not flying, the Pilot will provide essential ground support, collaborating with engineering and operations teams on range setup, airspace coordination, flight data review, and contributing to the development of operational concepts for autonomous and remote-piloted missions.
Requirements
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Demonstrated experience as a Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) platforms in operational or test environments.
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Current FAA Part 107 certification, with familiarity with Certificate of Authorization (COA) processes and experimental aircraft operations.
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Active FAA Part 61 or Part 141 certificated pilot (Private, Commercial, or Airline Transport Pilot) with multi-engine privileges.
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Strong working knowledge of airspace coordination, mission planning, and preflight risk assessment.
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Proven ability to execute disciplined, repeatable test operations in dynamic field environments.
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Clear, structured communication skills, essential for leading briefs and debriefs with diverse engineering and operations audiences.
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Adaptability and comfort with evolving aircraft configurations and a fast-paced, startup-level operational tempo.
Preferred Qualifications
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Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) experience on large or complex UAS platforms (e.g., Group 3–5 systems like Reaper, Global Hawk, or comparable).
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Familiarity with telemetry systems, Ground Control Station (GCS) interfaces, and autopilot behavior in test configurations.
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Prior experience supporting field test campaigns for new or developmental aircraft platforms.
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Exposure to flight test instrumentation, data logging, or postflight analysis workflows.
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Knowledge of simulation environments used for mission rehearsal or systems testing.
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An academic background in Aerospace, Systems, or Mechanical Engineering.