Developmental Test Pilot

AVIAN LLC•Patuxent River, MD

3d•$165,000 - $240,000•Onsite

About The Position

AVIAN is seeking a Developmental Test Pilot to join the USMC MQ-9 Reaper test team supporting UX-24, the Navy/Marine Corps’ premier UAS test squadron, in Patuxent River, Maryland. The role supports delivery of new capabilities to Marine Corps MQ-9 Reaper air vehicles through testing and evaluation of next-generation communications, SIGINT, and other mission payloads. The selected applicant will integrate into the MQ-9 Test Team as a Project Officer responsible for planning, executing, and reporting developmental test efforts. No prior MQ-9 flight experience is required; air vehicle pilot training will be provided. The position works with military, government, and contractor personnel throughout the test lifecycle. It requires prior military developmental test experience and the ability to maintain required flight, medical, security, and professional qualifications. U.S. citizenship is required because of customer-related requirements. The stated salary range is $165,000–$240,000, with the offered rate based on the candidate’s qualifications and internal parity. AVIAN describes itself as a mid-sized, employee-owned, service-based company primarily serving the Navy and other Department of Defense clients. Its culture emphasizes employee ownership, collaboration, growth, community engagement, and purpose-driven work. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health and wellness coverage and flexible leave benefits.

Requirements

Graduate of a full-length course of instruction from a recognized military test pilot school, such as USNTPS, USAFTPS, Empire, or EPNER.
Developmental Test Project Officer experience.
At least 1,000 documented flight hours, manned or unmanned.
At least 500 hours as PIC in military aircraft.
Active Secret clearance and ability to attain a Top Secret clearance.
FAA Second Class Medical.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.
Adaptability, good communication skills, and ability to work well in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Prior military UAS Air Vehicle Pilot experience, especially high-altitude long-endurance UAS experience.
Prior developmental test or operational test experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a Developmental Test Pilot and Project Officer supporting MQ-9 Reaper developmental test and evaluation activities.
Plan, coordinate, execute, and report on developmental test efforts for new and emerging MQ-9 capabilities.
Develop and support test plans, test cards, procedures, risk assessments, and other test documentation.
Participate in flight test execution as an MQ-9 Air Vehicle Pilot.
Evaluate aircraft systems, payloads, communications capabilities, and mission-system performance against established test objectives and requirements.
Support developmental testing of next-generation communications, SIGINT, and other mission payloads.
Analyze test results and contribute to technical reports, briefings, recommendations, and other test products.
Coordinate with military, government, engineering, contractor, and operational stakeholders throughout the test lifecycle.
Identify test risks, technical issues, and mission impacts and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.
Participate in test planning meetings, technical reviews, safety reviews, and other program or squadron activities.
Maintain required flight, medical, security, and professional qualifications.
Perform other duties as required in support of UX-24 and MQ-9 test and evaluation objectives.