UAS Flight Test Operator

Title

UAS Flight Test Operator

Heven Aero Tech

Bingen, Washington

The UAS Flight Test Operator applies hands‑on field experience to support ground and flight testing of hydrogen‑powered hybrid VTOL and multirotor Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This position focuses on test execution rather than engineering ownership of test planning, analysis, or design changes. Under the direction of the Lead Flight Test Engineer and test leads, the UAS Flight Test Operator executes approved test cards, procedures, checklists, and flight profiles.

Responsibilities include operating air vehicles and ground systems, preparing test articles, monitoring system status, documenting observations, and ensuring accurate maintenance, configuration, and flight records. The role requires up to two hours of automobile travel each way to test ranges, with some local ground testing possible.

• Execute approved flight test cards, ground test procedures, checklists, and flight profiles for Group 2+ UAS under the direction of Flight Test Engineers or test leads.
• Operate air vehicles, ground control stations, ground support equipment, payloads, radios, and associated test equipment during flight and ground test events.
• Prepare test articles and supporting equipment for test execution.
• Verify system configuration against approved test baselines prior to ground or flight testing.
• Record accurate operator observations, timestamps, discrepancies, logbook entries, configuration changes, and maintenance actions.
• Support test reporting by providing operator notes, flight logs, configuration records, and factual observations.
• Collaborate with Flight Test Engineers, engineering leads, and internal stakeholders to support safe and repeatable test execution.
• Support installation, checkout, and troubleshooting of approved payload, radio, harness, and electromechanical integrations under engineering direction.
• Provide operator feedback on usability, maintainability, field readiness, and operational constraints to support development of sustainment‑ready military UAS.

• Access to ITAR‑controlled or EAR‑controlled information may be required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
• Technical degree, military UAS training, flight test operator experience, or equivalent field experience is preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of military or commercial UAS experience.
• Experience maintaining logbooks, maintenance records, configuration records, and discrepancy documentation in a controlled operational or test environment.
• Experience with payloads, radios, GCS software, and autopilot ecosystems such as Trillium, Persistent Systems, Silvus, Vigilant Spirit, Applied Navigation/Quattro, QGround
  
  Control, Embention, Micropilot, or Mission Planner.
• Ability to execute approved test cards, checklists, and flight profiles while remaining within defined test parameters.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within a cross‑functional flight test environment.
• Strong discipline in pre‑flight, post‑flight, configuration control, and anomaly documentation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain complex systems and perform preventative maintenance.
• Commitment to safe operations and continuous improvement of personnel and equipment safety.
• Professional, collaborative, and effective in conflict resolution.

• Experience operating military fixed‑wing VTOL, multirotor, and Group 2+ UAS in operational environments.
• Experience supporting developmental flight testing, ground testing, iron bird testing, or controlled system checkout activities.
• Experience with SOCOM Modular Payload standards.
• Experience with multiple GCS software platforms, including QGround
  
  Control, Embention, Micropilot, and Mission Planner.
• Ability to inspect, install, troubleshoot, and perform basic repairs on payload and radio integration harnesses under engineering direction.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather…