Unmanned Systems - Operations Specialist (Multiple Levels)

Noblis•Washington, DC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Noblis is seeking Operations Specialists to support unmanned systems (UXS) and counter-unmanned systems (CUXS) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) programs. These positions are hands-on, field-forward roles responsible for supporting T&E of diverse technologies across ground, maritime and aerial domains. Operations Specialists support T&E events by ensuring systems are mission-ready, properly configured, and effectively employed to meet test objectives. They support the test planning including defining test objective and requirements, test cases and support test execution to ensure events validate claims and assess equipment capabilities to meet desired concepts of operations. They bring operational experience deploying technologies to help guide RDT&E efforts and support T&E, ensuring test events successfully validate technologies against requirements and field realities. They provide program leadership with operator-level feedback that informs requirements and drives future capability development. Operations Specialists thrive in dynamic, multi-system environments and can adapt quickly to evolving test conditions, emerging technologies, and compressed timelines. This work is performed on client site in Washington, DC or at remote sites as required in accordance with the requirements of the contract. Applicants must be located within the National Capital Region. This position is expected to require up to 30% travel.

Requirements

US Citizenship is required.
Successfully pass U.S. Government Agency background investigation/verification and receive a successful final suitability determination.
Active TS clearance with ability to successfully obtain SCI access.
Demonstrated experience: Field experience and/or test experience deploying UXS and/or CUXS technologies in at least one operational environment (ground, maritime, aerial).
Drafting or supporting requirements development at the federal government space.
Solving problems in advance of, and during, test and evaluation events, and the ability to troubleshoot systems in real-time.
Leading or supporting T&E events, including ensuring events are safe and compliant with airspace or other requirements and ensuring operational procedures are followed.
Experience identifying and discussing advantages and limitations of technologies, with experience describing impact of technologies (or the lack of technologies) to program and senior Leadership.
Test and evaluation, working with cross-functional teams to develop and ensure testing approaches, metrics, and techniques to evaluate technologies against concepts of operations and requirements.
Ensuring compliance of test articles
Strong communication skills and the ability to clearly articulate system performance, issues, and recommendations to test directors and program leadership.
Availability to travel up to 30%.

Nice To Haves

Active TS//SCI clearance.
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Familiarity with FAA Certificates of Authorization (COAs) or airspace coordination for UAS operations.
Experience with multiple CUAS platforms (RF detection, radar, EO/IR, kinetic/non-kinetic effectors).
Experience with Group 1–3 UAS platforms.
Experience with unmanned ground, surface or underwater vehicle T&E.
Experience operating multiple systems simultaneously in complex test or operational scenarios.
Experience operating in GPS-denied, spectrum-contested, or communications-degraded environments.
Experience supporting federal T&E programs (defense or homeland security).
Experience with federal property accountability systems and unmanned aircraft usage policies.
Experience conducting technical reviews of vendor test plans, technology reports and deliverables.
Experience developing SOPs for field events.
Experience providing operator feedback that informed requirements or capability development.
Knowledge of airspace coordination, COAs, and range safety procedures.
Military experience in UAS operations, electronic warfare, air defense, or related fields.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; proactive, solution-oriented, with exceptional time management skills.

Responsibilities

Support the development of T&E event planning and requirements from customer test objectives for multiple overlapping test events.
Provide technical and operational expertise and coordinate test support requirements with the program manager, test director, site manager, and test teams.
Support field operations and RDT&E of UXS and CUXS technologies including ground, maritime, aerial, and other operational settings.
Coordinate with test directors, logistics specialists, and site managers to ensure equipment, personnel, and support are aligned for each test event.
Document system performance, anomalies, and operator observations during test events to support post-test analysis and reporting.
Provide operator-level input on mission requirements, system performance, and capability gaps, informing test design, capability development, and technology transition.
Partner with Test Directors in ensuring safe and compliant operation of technologies during T&E events, including pre-mission checklists and troubleshooting.
Support test events in denied environments (GPS-denied, communications-degraded, contested spectrum) as required.
Ensure compliance with safety protocols, airspace requirements, and operational procedures during all test activities.
Support equipment inventory, accountability, and transport between test sites in coordination with logistics staff.
Design, prepare and implement standard operating procedures, checklists and policy updates that cover normal procedures and emerging requirements.
Collaborate with program managers, test directors, project teams and site leads to ensure logistics align with each test events goals, policies and regulatory requirements.
Proactively track and alert Government stakeholders to potential issues.
Offer technical leadership, advice, and guidance on field operations, operational usage, planning, and other areas to Program managers, test directors and other staff.