UAS Operator Jobs
UAS Operator jobs are open across defense, public safety, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection, with specializations in sensor payload operation, mission planning, and aerial imaging, from entry-level crew positions to senior lead operator and program manager roles. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 8+ UAS Operator jobs
Company Overview
Griffon Aerospace is a trusted aerospace solutions provider based in Madison, Alabama, specializing in the design, development, and operation of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Since 1995, we have delivered over 14,000 unmanned air vehicles to the Department of Defense, allied nations, and commercial customers. We pride ourselves on being a lion-hearted partner, designing, building, and flying the most capable and intelligent aerial systems that give our servicemen an unfair advantage wherever they fly.
Position Summary
The candidate will work in a rapid development environment where the projects will progress from design, fabrication, assembly, and flight test phases in a short period of time. The successful candidate will be a highly organized self-starter who has direct, hands-on experience assembling, modifying, repairing, operating, and instructing large UAS platforms.
We are seeking a talented, motivated individual with extensive Group III military UAS platform experience and demonstrate exceptional situation awareness, critical thinking skills, and the ability to perform well under pressure. This position directly interfaces with Customer, Manufacturing, Engineering, Flight Test and UAS Flight Operations Staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct developmental flight tests for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) platforms.
- Act as Pilot in Command (PIC) of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), supporting daily flight training, test events, demonstration events, and production sorties.
- Responsible for the safe and effective operation of the unmanned aircraft system.
- Assists in the development and maintenance of training manuals, checklists, testing and evaluation guidelines, and other materials.
- Act as an Instructor Operator for Griffon Aerospace. Responsible for training and evaluating soldier and contractor personnel on the operation of Unmanned Aircraft System including aircraft qualification training, TTPs, and upgrade/delta training.
- Coordinate and actively participate in ground and flight operations efforts including mission planning, execution and briefing, debriefing, aircrew resource management, and safety.
- Ensure compliance with service guidance, company policy/ procedures, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
- Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. Expected to work safely following established operating procedures and practices.
- Familiarity with Army forms, records, and publications as well as Contractor Flight and Ground Operations procedures and records.
- Additional Functions/Other duties as assigned or required.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of experience operating DoD Group 3 UAS or larger
- U.S. Army UAS Instructor Operator Course graduate or equivalent
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to test sites
- Ability to obtain and maintain DOT medical certificate
- S. Passport or ability to obtain
- Must have a High School Diploma/GED or equivalent.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Class II FAA Flight Physical.
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must pass a pre-employment background check.
- Candidate must have the ability to operate Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in multiple flight modes from a Ground Controlled Station (GCS).
- Must have demonstrated ability to apply practical knowledge to flight testing applicable to the developmental and system qualification testing of DoD unmanned aircraft.
- The ability to professionally interface with numerous levels of management, customers, and peers.
- The ability to work extended hours when required by contractual needs.
- The ability to work in a team environment while accomplishing mission requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with military UAS programs, particularly Army aviation systems
- U.S. Army UAS Instructor Operator Course or service equivalent graduate is highly preferred
- Background in flight testing or developmental aircraft programs
- Advanced troubleshooting, mechanical, electronic, and software.
- Experience tuning autopilot flight controls
- Knowledge of Army aviation procedures and tactical operations
- Knowledge of FAA rules and procedures
- Prior military aviation experience
- Experience with simulator training systems
- Mechanical or electrical troubleshooting skills
Physical Requirements
- Visual acuity sufficient to maintain visual contact with aircraft at extended distances
- Ability to stand for extended periods during flight operations
- Capability to work in various outdoor environments and weather conditions
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of equipment
Work Environment
- Combination of office, laboratory, and field environments
- Deployment to military installations domestically and overseas
- Travel to test sites and customer locations as required
- May include working in challenging weather conditions and environments
Clearance Requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance required
- U.S. citizenship required
Travel Requirements
Expect 50%+ travel to test sites, customer locations, and deployments to austere locations
Company Overview
Griffon Aerospace is a trusted aerospace solutions provider based in Madison, Alabama, specializing in the design, development, and operation of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Since 1995, we have delivered over 14,000 unmanned air vehicles to the Department of Defense, allied nations, and commercial customers. We pride ourselves on being a lion-hearted partner, designing, building, and flying the most capable and intelligent aerial systems that give our servicemen an unfair advantage wherever they fly.
Position Summary
The candidate will work in a rapid development environment where the projects will progress from design, fabrication, assembly, and flight test phases in a short period of time. The successful candidate will be a highly organized self-starter who has direct, hands-on experience assembling, modifying, repairing, operating, and instructing large UAS platforms.
We are seeking a talented, motivated individual with extensive Group III military UAS platform experience and demonstrate exceptional situation awareness, critical thinking skills, and the ability to perform well under pressure. This position directly interfaces with Customer, Manufacturing, Engineering, Flight Test and UAS Flight Operations Staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct developmental flight tests for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) platforms.
- Act as Pilot in Command (PIC) of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), supporting daily flight training, test events, demonstration events, and production sorties.
- Responsible for the safe and effective operation of the unmanned aircraft system.
- Assists in the development and maintenance of training manuals, checklists, testing and evaluation guidelines, and other materials.
- Act as an Instructor Operator for Griffon Aerospace. Responsible for training and evaluating soldier and contractor personnel on the operation of Unmanned Aircraft System including aircraft qualification training, TTPs, and upgrade/delta training.
- Coordinate and actively participate in ground and flight operations efforts including mission planning, execution and briefing, debriefing, aircrew resource management, and safety.
- Ensure compliance with service guidance, company policy/ procedures, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
- Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. Expected to work safely following established operating procedures and practices.
- Familiarity with Army forms, records, and publications as well as Contractor Flight and Ground Operations procedures and records.
- Additional Functions/Other duties as assigned or required.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of experience operating DoD Group 3 UAS or larger
- U.S. Army UAS Instructor Operator Course graduate or equivalent
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to test sites
- Ability to obtain and maintain DOT medical certificate
- S. Passport or ability to obtain
- Must have a High School Diploma/GED or equivalent.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Class II FAA Flight Physical.
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must pass a pre-employment background check.
- Candidate must have the ability to operate Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in multiple flight modes from a Ground Controlled Station (GCS).
- Must have demonstrated ability to apply practical knowledge to flight testing applicable to the developmental and system qualification testing of DoD unmanned aircraft.
- The ability to professionally interface with numerous levels of management, customers, and peers.
- The ability to work extended hours when required by contractual needs.
- The ability to work in a team environment while accomplishing mission requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with military UAS programs, particularly Army aviation systems
- U.S. Army UAS Instructor Operator Course or service equivalent graduate is highly preferred
- Background in flight testing or developmental aircraft programs
- Advanced troubleshooting, mechanical, electronic, and software.
- Experience tuning autopilot flight controls
- Knowledge of Army aviation procedures and tactical operations
- Knowledge of FAA rules and procedures
- Prior military aviation experience
- Experience with simulator training systems
- Mechanical or electrical troubleshooting skills
Physical Requirements
- Visual acuity sufficient to maintain visual contact with aircraft at extended distances
- Ability to stand for extended periods during flight operations
- Capability to work in various outdoor environments and weather conditions
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of equipment
Work Environment
- Combination of office, laboratory, and field environments
- Deployment to military installations domestically and overseas
- Travel to test sites and customer locations as required
- May include working in challenging weather conditions and environments
Clearance Requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance required
- U.S. citizenship required
Travel Requirements
Expect 50%+ travel to test sites, customer locations, and deployments to austere locations
UAS Operator Jobs by Experience Level
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Find UAS Operator JobsUAS Operator Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in UAS operator jobs.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial UAS operations
- Minimum flight hours logged on multi-rotor or fixed-wing UAS platforms
- Proficiency operating EO/IR or LiDAR sensor payloads in the field
- Experience with flight planning software such as DJI Pilot or similar platforms
- Ability to obtain a government security clearance or pass a background check
- Associate or bachelor's degree in aviation, engineering, or a related technical field
Tips for Your UAS Operator Job Search
List every FAA certificate you hold
Your resume should call out your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate by number and expiration date, plus any additional waivers or airspace authorizations. Hiring managers scan for these credentials before reading anything else on a uas operator application.
Tailor your payload experience to the posting
EO, IR, LiDAR, and multispectral payloads each attract different employers. Read the job description carefully and lead your work history with the sensor type the role actually requires, not a general list of every platform you've touched.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists uas operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Build a mission-log portfolio before applying
Compile a brief log of representative missions: environment, airframe, payload, and objective. Defense and public safety employers expect evidence of real operational hours, not just a certificate, so a one-page mission summary can separate you from candidates with identical credentials.
Prepare for a practical flight evaluation
Many employers add a hands-on skills check to the standard interview, often involving a preflight inspection, simulated emergency procedure, or a short data-collection flight. Practice your preflight checklist out loud so your process is visible and consistent under observation.
Negotiate your hazard and location pay separately
Base pay for uas operator roles often excludes deployment stipends, remote-site allowances, or per-diem rates that can significantly change total compensation. Ask the hiring manager to walk through the full compensation structure before accepting any written offer.
UAS Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most uas operators?
Virginia Tech, COLSA, and Parsons are hiring the most uas operators right now, with openings concentrated in Alabama, Virginia, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense contractors and infrastructure inspection firms account for the largest share of active postings.
How many uas operator jobs are remote?
About 0% of uas operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most flight operations. Data analysis, mission planning, and sensor processing roles are the sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, while field operations positions almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a uas operator?
Start by passing the FAA Part 107 aeronautical knowledge exam to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate, which is the baseline requirement for most commercial roles. Build logged flight hours on common platforms, develop proficiency with at least one payload type such as EO/IR or LiDAR, and document your missions in a flight log. Employers in defense or critical infrastructure may also require a security clearance, so beginning that process early is worthwhile.
Can you get hired as a uas operator without much experience?
Yes, entry-level uas operator roles exist, particularly with agricultural services, real estate photography firms, and smaller inspection contractors that train new hires on proprietary workflows. Your Part 107 certificate is the minimum credential, but demonstrating any logged field hours, even from volunteer or academic projects, strengthens your application. Some employers also hire for ground crew or data processing support roles as a pathway into full operator positions.
What does the uas operator interview process look like?
Most hiring processes start with a phone or video screen focused on your certificate status, logged hours, and platform experience. A technical interview follows, covering airspace regulations, emergency procedures, and payload handling. Many employers then conduct a practical evaluation where you perform a preflight inspection or fly a short mission profile. Final interviews for defense roles often include a background investigation or security clearance discussion before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to uas operator jobs?
You can find and apply to uas operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your certifications and experience, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
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