Senior Tactical UAS Test Pilot

T3i•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

T3i builds mission-critical unmanned systems designed to improve U.S. forces' operational effectiveness and battlefield lethality. Our Blackfoot platform is a tactical FPV drone system engineered for reliability, adaptability, survivability, and rapid deployment in demanding operational environments. We operate in tight feedback loops between design, build, test, and field use, where every flight directly informs the next iteration of the platform. We are a small, fast-moving team that values ownership, technical depth, execution, and mission focus. We are seeking a Senior Tactical UAS Test Pilot to lead flight test and development operations for the Blackfoot platform. This role is critical to ensuring the platform is safe, effective, and ready for operational deployment. The ideal candidate combines exceptional FPV flight proficiency with disciplined flight-test methodology and a builder mindset. This individual will serve as the primary pilot voice within the development cycle—planning and executing flight tests, identifying issues, analyzing flight data, and working directly with engineering teams to improve aircraft performance and reliability. Position Summary: The Senior Tactical UAS Test Pilot will own the planning, execution, reporting, and safety posture of developmental flight operations supporting the Blackfoot platform. This role emphasizes hands-on flying, structured test execution, anomaly investigation, telemetry analysis, and rapid iteration alongside mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable flying developmental airframes in demanding environments, reviewing logs and telemetry to diagnose issues, coordinating field operations, and communicating actionable engineering feedback. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced R&D environments where aircraft configurations evolve rapidly and operational feedback directly shapes the product.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on UAS flight operations experience
Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Exceptional proficiency flying FPV / acro-mode multirotor platforms in demanding environments
Documented flight hours on tactical, racing, freestyle, or developmental FPV airframes
Experience executing structured flight test activities including test cards, build-up methodology, risk management, and anomaly investigation
Working knowledge of common UAS autopilots and ground control systems including Betaflight, INAV, ArduPilot, PX4, ELRS, and Crossfire
Experience reviewing telemetry, blackbox logs, DVR footage, and flight data to diagnose vehicle behavior and performance issues
Hands-on experience building, configuring, tuning, repairing, and maintaining FPV airframes
Ability to communicate technical flight observations clearly and concisely to engineering teams
Ability to operate independently and take ownership of flight-test execution and safety
Comfortable working in an iterative R&D environment with rapidly changing aircraft configurations and priorities
U.S. Person status required to support ITAR-controlled programs

Nice To Haves

Prior military, government, or defense-contractor flight test experience on UAS platforms
Experience flying tactical FPV systems in operational or advanced training environments
Experience operating UAS in GPS-denied, contested, or EW-affected RF environments
Experience supporting payload integration for ISR, EW, communications, or autonomous systems
Experience coordinating with DoD test ranges, restricted airspace, COAs, or military customers
Formal flight test training (USNTPS, USAF TPS, NTPS, ITPS, or equivalent)
Manned aircraft flight experience (Private Pilot Certificate or higher)
Experience supporting autonomy development, RF testing, or advanced flight-control tuning
Experience working in fast-paced defense or dual-use technology environments

Responsibilities

Plan, brief, execute, and debrief developmental flight test sorties on Blackfoot airframes
Author test cards, flight test plans, risk assessments, and test reports aligned with program milestones
Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) during developmental, qualification, acceptance, and demonstration flights
Conduct structured envelope expansion across speed, range, altitude, endurance, payload, and environmental conditions
Safely operate FPV and BVLOS flight modes under varied lighting, weather, terrain, and RF conditions
Coordinate flight operations including airspace deconfliction, range safety, chase/safety pilot operations, and ground crew activities
Capture, review, and triage telemetry, flight logs, onboard video, and pilot observations to support engineering root-cause analysis
Identify handling qualities, stability, control, propulsion, RF, and performance issues and translate them into actionable engineering feedback
Support troubleshooting, regression testing, and validation of hardware, software, autonomy, RF, and payload changes
Track test results, anomalies, and corrective actions through established reporting and issue-management workflows
Maintain airworthiness and configuration control of developmental test articles
Perform pre-flight inspections, field repairs, tuning, and troubleshooting of FPV systems as required
Maintain currency on all relevant FAA regulations (Part 107, COA, LAANC) and applicable DoD range procedures
Support customer demonstrations, training events, and operational field exercises as required
Contribute to the development of T3i flight test SOPs, safety processes, pilot standards, and training pipelines
Operate safely and effectively in outdoor field environments, including extended standing, lifting/carrying equipment, and working in adverse weather conditions