The HMS UAS Operations Technician is responsible for the execution of surrogate flight test operations supporting the Hivemind portfolio. This role conducts day-to-day flight activities, aircraft preparation, system configuration, field operations, and operational support for autonomy testing.
The HMS UAS Operations Technician serves as the primary operator and technical lead for Group 1/2 UAS test assets, ensuring aircraft, payloads, ground control systems, and supporting equipment are mission-ready and operated in accordance with established procedures, safety requirements, and operational standards.
This position works closely with software, systems, and flight operations teams to support the integration, validation, and operational assessment of autonomy capabilities in laboratory, ground, and flight environments.
What you'll do:
- Operate flight test platforms in support of daily fly-fix-fly verification activities
- Serve as a primary operator for Group 1/2 UAS platforms during developmental and operational testing.
- Configure, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot aircraft, payloads, autopilot systems, and ground control stations.
- Coordinate aircraft readiness, pre-flight inspections, launch and recovery operations, and post-flight maintenance activities.
- Execute operational test procedures and mission plans while ensuring compliance with established safety and operational requirements.
- Support development, refinement, and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational best practices.
- Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, airspace requirements, range procedures, and company flight operations standards.
- Assist in flight planning, airspace coordination, mission scheduling, and operational risk assessments.
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience operating and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms in test, military, commercial, or operational environments.
- Strong knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, ground control stations, communications systems, and payload integration.
- Experience developing, implementing, and executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational processes.
- Working knowledge of FAA regulations, National Airspace System (NAS) operations, airspace coordination, and flight authorization requirements.
- Experience conducting flight operations in dynamic and complex test environments.
- Strong organizational, communication, and mission planning skills.
- Ability to coordinate effectively with software, systems, safety, and flight operations personnel.
- FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAS operational experience.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting autonomy, AI-enabled systems, or developmental flight test programs, particularly with multi-aircraft or distributed UAS operations.
- Fabrication experience with design, build of mechanical and electrical systems
- Familiarity with standard control and autopilot elements such as QGC, Mission Planner, Ardupilot, Px4
- Military UAS operations or test experience.
Skills Required
- 5+ years operating and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms in test, military, commercial, or operational environments.
- Strong knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, ground control stations, communications systems, and payload integration.
- Experience developing, implementing, and executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational processes.
- Working knowledge of FAA regulations, National Airspace System (NAS) operations, airspace coordination, and flight authorization requirements.
- Experience conducting flight operations in dynamic and complex test environments.
- Strong organizational, communication, and mission planning skills.
- Ability to coordinate effectively with software, systems, safety, and flight operations personnel.
- FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAS operational experience.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
- Experience supporting autonomy, AI-enabled systems, or developmental flight test programs, particularly multi-aircraft or distributed UAS operations.
- Fabrication experience with design and build of mechanical and electrical systems.
- Familiarity with QGC, Mission Planner, Ardupilot, PX4.
- Military UAS operations or test experience.
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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