Senior Tactical UAS Test Pilot

T3i Inc. • San Antonio, TX

2d • 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.

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

Benefits

• Direct impact on systems supporting U.S. military capability
• Small, highly technical team with rapid decision-making and execution
• Opportunity to shape next-generation tactical FPV platforms from prototype through operational deployment
• High level of ownership and autonomy
• Exposure to advanced autonomy, RF, payload, and tactical UAS development efforts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed