Part 107 Drone Pilot UAS Test Engineer

AeroVironment•San Diego, CA

1d•$31 - $44

About The Position

AV is a global defense technology leader delivering battlefield proven systems and next-generation capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From loitering munitions and autonomous robotic systems to counter-UAS, directed energy, cyber, and mission command systems, AV’s proven solutions are based on learnings from over 50,000 autonomous systems delivered to the battlefield to meet evolving threats head-on. We are seeking an FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilot who can build, program, test, and operate drones across a wide range of platforms. This role combines hands-on UAS assembly and troubleshooting with disciplined test flying, configuration management, and product validation. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable on the bench (soldering and integration) and in the field (flying, logging, and documenting results).

Requirements

Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Ability to build a drone from scratch, including basic electronics, mechanical assembly, and soldering.
Ability to program/configure drones (firmware setup, parameter configuration, and tuning).
Proficiency operating a broad range of COTS drones currently available on the market.
Comfortable working outdoors and supporting 2x/week, 8-hour test-flight days in field conditions.
Strong documentation skills and ability to maintain structured technical records.
Drone/UAS-related degree OR 3–5 years of relevant UAS experience (professional, research, or product test).

Nice To Haves

Experience validating flight systems, writing test procedures, and reporting results.
Familiarity with flight log/telemetry review and structured troubleshooting workflows.
Experience maintaining asset database spreadsheets.
Background in RC, robotics, avionics, embedded systems, or mechatronics.

Responsibilities

Operate drones safely and professionally under FAA Part 107 regulations and company SOPs.
Demonstrate proficiency flying commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) drones on the current market (e.g., DJI, Autel, Skydio, etc.) and hand-built FPV type drones.
Conduct pre-flight planning, risk assessments, checklists, and post-flight reporting.
Capture flight logs/telemetry and support basic analysis to identify anomalies and root causes.
Participate in twice-weekly test flying sessions (2 days per week, 8 hours per session) to validate Titan products, firmware, and integrations.
Execute structured test plans, document results, and communicate clear, actionable feedback to engineering and QA teams.
Troubleshoot issues observed during testing and support corrective action verification and regression testing.
Build drones from scratch: frame assembly, powertrain integration, wiring, and component mounting.
Perform basic electronics and mechanical work: connector crimping, wire routing, fastener installation, vibration management, and component layout.
Solder and rework wiring harnesses, power leads, and signal connections to high reliability standards.
Diagnose and repair hardware issues using appropriate tools (e.g., multimeter, continuity checks, visual inspection).
Program/configure drones for test objectives (firmware setup, parameter configuration, and tuning).
Manage firmware loading and version control across flight controllers, ESCs, GPS/compass modules, and companion systems where applicable.
Maintain organized configuration files and documentation for repeatability and traceability.
Maintain a database for every in-house drone to track hardware and firmware revisions.
Record build history, repairs, component swaps, configuration profiles, and test outcomes to support debugging and audits.
Ensure fleet records remain accurate, current, and accessible to cross-functional teams.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

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