Uncrewed Aerial Systems Specialist Job Charlotte area,North Carolina USA,Business

*** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States.

Global Support and Development (GSD) is seeking an Uncrewed Aerial Systems Specialist to serve as our technical expert in driving the design and execution of drone initiatives for disaster response, preparedness, and climate adaptation. The position is a full-time, 1-year fixed term, on-site role located at HQ in Charlotte, N.C. with up to 50% domestic and international travel.

At GSD, our DNA is rooted in leveraging innovation to strengthen local capacity and fill critical gaps in post-disaster scenarios. As our Uncrewed Aerial Systems Specialist, you will bridge cutting‑edge flight technology with hands‑on humanitarian impact leading cross‑cultural training programs, maintaining operational deployment readiness, and managing rapidly deployed field mapping in resource‑constrained environments. Join us in advancing resilient, community‑led disaster response through ethical and innovative technology.

GSD offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Up to 25 days of accrued vacation
Up to 80 hours of annual sick leave
Up to 80 hours of Military Pay and 30 Days Differential
Medical, Dental and Vision (GSD covers monthly premium)
Group Life and AD&D Coverage (GSD covers monthly premium)
Retirement (Pre and Post Tax Options) and a Company Match
Matches on Qualified 529 Plans
Up to 14 Paid Holidays

Want to know more? Read on to learn more about the role and how you can help us turn strategy into action!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategize, design, and execute GSD’s UAS programs and community-facing projects to support local partner needs across the Caribbean, Central America, and the South Pacific;

Deploy into post-disaster contexts to conduct flight operations, create actionable orthomosaic maps, and manage secure data transfers under tight time constraints and limited infrastructure;

Manage international UAS registration, flight permitting, and customs/import authorizations across GSD’s operational regions, including navigating emergency fast-track procedures when local systems are disrupted;

Design, update, and instruct a comprehensive, culturally adaptable UAS training curriculum for local partner organizations and regional first responders;

Oversee internal GSD flight readiness by delivering staff training, standardizing flight procedures, and building internal operational competency;

Further refine and enforce GSD’s UAS flight manuals, risk assessments, pre/post-flight checklists, and emergency response procedures;

Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, basic budgets, and logistics for partner UAS engagements, ensuring field initiatives are executed on schedule and within scope;

Ensure all UAS operations adhere to strict "Do No Harm" principles, humanitarian data protection standards, and local privacy considerations when capturing imagery of impacted populations;

Maintain, inventory, troubleshoot, and budget for GSD’s enterprise UAS fleet, ensuring all platforms and payloads are field-ready for rapid deployment;

Serve as GSD’s primary technical advisor for UAS decision-making, resolving complex operational, technical, and logistical challenges in resource‑constrained environments;

Embody and promote GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity, ensuring responsible stewardship of organizational resources and prioritizing maximum benefit to disaster‑impacted communities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Experience:

Three (3) or more years of hands‑on experience operating uncrewed aerial systems, with a strong preference for field deployment in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, or resource‑constrained international environments;
Proven track record of operating UAS,…