Job Description

The Opportunity

The Department of Flight at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona campus invites applications for the position of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Chief Pilot. This position supports the evaluation, coordination, development, and analysis of all aspects of UAS and fixed-wing integration efforts. This role is critical to ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of airspace and auxiliary field development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluate, coordinate, develop, and analyze UAS and fixed-wing integration initiatives.
• Ensure safe margins of operation are maintained in airspace development and auxiliary field projects.
• Apply analytical skills and make independent decisions in a highly autonomous role.
• Maintain attention to detail, follow instructions, and synthesize data for decision-making.
• Work with other team members and departments to ensure smooth operation without constant supervision.

Work Environment Expectations:

• Ability to maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to perform consistently and respond to constructive criticism positively.
• Capable of generalizing, evaluations, and decisions without immediate supervision.

About us

For nearly 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period.
• Personal Leave: Relax with 12 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation or a related field (UAS preferred)
• 1-3 years related professional experience
• Commercial UAS Operators Certificate
• Trusted Operator Certification.

Application process/requirements

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R311618. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter
• Full CV
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact eraujobs@erau.edu and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.