Flight Operations Manager

Careers•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Darkhive is seeking a Flight Operations Manager to lead our UAS flight test program, field evaluations, and end-user feedback loops. This role sits at the intersection of operations, engineering, and product strategy, ensuring safe platform testing and incorporating the "voice of the operator" into hardware and software roadmaps. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader capable of acting as Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) in austere environments and briefing executive leadership on product reliability. This role is onsite in San Antonio, Texas, with up to 25% travel expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering, Robotics, or a related discipline (equivalent military, public safety, or UAS operational experience fully considered).
Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and a valid driver's license.
5+ years of professional UAS flight operations experience, with 2+ years leading flight test, field operations, or operational evaluation teams.
Demonstrated experience planning UAS test flights, coordinating cross-functionally with engineering teams, and capturing structured technical data.
Ability to stand, walk, kneel, lift up to 50 lbs, and work outdoors in remote or austere field environments with up to 25% travel.
Ability to use a keyboard, mouse, and other equipment with or without accommodations.
Ability to maintain awareness during business hours.
Excellent written and verbal communication and good command of the English language.
Learns and memorizes routine tasks.
U.S. Person as defined by ITAR and EAR (e.g., U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with Group 1–3 UAS platforms
Background supporting DoD, public safety, or tactical government UAS operations
Deep familiarity with PX4, ATAK, TAK-based workflows, mission planning software, and telemetry data analysis
Experience with developmental testing (DT), operational testing (OT), configuration management, or root cause failure analysis
Active U.S. security clearance (or eligibility to obtain one)

Responsibilities

Lead UAS flight test events supporting product development, engineering validation, and operational evaluations.
Manage flight crews, aircraft readiness, test equipment, mission planning, and operational timelines.
Serve as Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC), enforcing strict adherence to FAA regulations, risk assessments, and company SOPs.
Partner with Engineering and Product teams to define test objectives, success criteria, and required data collection.
Act as the primary operational interface with military, public safety, and government stakeholders during field demonstrations and training events.
Gather structured feedback from end-users regarding platform performance, field reliability, and real-world mission limitations.
Translate field-based operator feedback into actionable recommendations for our engineering and product development teams.
Document and track aircraft discrepancies, anomalies, and failures to assist engineering in root cause analysis.
Monitor platform reliability metrics, maintenance trends, and recurring system issues to define operational acceptance criteria.
Continuously improve operational assets, including checklists, test cards, flight logs, and maintenance records.
Provide tactical and operational insights to leadership to help prioritize product roadmaps and future capabilities.
Author comprehensive flight test plans, risk assessments, and clear summaries of field outcomes for the CSO, investors, and board members.
Support Business Development by providing credible operational inputs for proposals and customer engagements.