Developmental Test Project Officer​/UAS Pilot

PRIMARY PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT:
Professional Services Division

Location:

St. Inigoes, MD

US Citizenship Required for this Position:
Yes

Clearance Type:
Ability to obtain and maintain Secret clearance

Work Schedule:

Full Time, Exempt

Reports to:

Director of Programs and Partnerships

Positions Supervised:
None; provides functional leadership to integrated test teams

Travel:
Occasional travel as required to support developmental test events

ABSI Aerospace & Defense is a mission-driven, veteran-led company headquartered in the St. Mary's County Innovation District in Southern Maryland. Through three integrated divisions-Professional Services, Flight Services, and Aerial Targets-ABSI delivers test and evaluation, training and logistics support, uncrewed systems operations, low-cost aerial targets, and counter-UAS training and field support to the Department of Defense and allied partners. Our success depends on employing and retaining world-class subject matter experts and personnel equally committed to our mission.

To support our workforce, ABSI offers highly competitive salaries, flexible work schedules, excellent benefits, instant 401K vesting and a full cafeteria plan that employees can tailor to their individual needs.

ABSI is seeking a hands-on Developmental Test Project Officer / UAS Pilot to support UX-24 developmental test activities. This position leads the planning, coordination, execution, and reporting of complex test events and serves as the primary interface among the test team, government program offices, aircrew, engineers, and fleet representatives. The Project Officer provides deckplate leadership in the test environment, coordinates multi-domain cUAS and UART test activities, and keeps stakeholders, resources, risks, and technical objectives aligned.

As required, the employee will qualify to operate Group 1-2 UAS as test targets; flight duties support, but do not define, the position's primary project leadership role.

The Developmental Test Project Officer / UAS Pilot will be responsible for:

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and reporting of developmental test events in support of program and test objectives.
• Serve as the primary interface among the test team, government program offices, aircrew, engineers, fleet representatives, and other participating organizations to maintain stakeholder alignment and enable successful execution.
• Lead and coordinate multi-domain cUAS and UART test activities, integrating technical, operational, schedule, resource, and mission requirements across participating teams.
• Develop and maintain test plans, test cards, mission requirements, schedules, readiness products, and other supporting documentation for developmental test activities.
• Provide hands-on leadership during test preparation and execution by coordinating personnel and resources, assigning and tracking action items, identifying dependencies, and managing risks to safe and efficient completion.
• Lead test team communications, coordination meetings, readiness reviews, mission briefs, debriefs, and follow-up activities.
• Monitor test execution, assess progress against objectives, elevate issues, and coordinate timely adjustments with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Analyze test data and aircraft or system performance; prepare technical reports, presentations, recommendations, and briefings that clearly document test results and conclusions.
• Apply applicable NAVAIR flight-test instructions, approved procedures, and operational risk-management practices throughout planning and execution.
• Obtain and maintain required Group 1-2 UAS qualifications and, as required, serve as an sUAS pilot or target operator in support of developmental test missions and associated flight operations.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position and program requirements, as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least 8 years of relevant experience performing the essential functions listed above.
• Technical background demonstrated through relevant education, military training, professional credentials, or progressively responsible experience in aviation, engineering, flight test, UAS, or a closely related field.
• Aviation experience as a pilot, Naval Flight Officer, Air Vehicle Pilot, flight test engineer, aerospace engineer, or in a comparable technical aviation role.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical or operational teams in a hands-on test,…