Group 1-3 S-UAS Operator (AVO/AVP)

Location: Patuxent River, MD

US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes

Clearance Type: Active Secret required, Top Secret desired

Work Schedule: Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: Vice President, CxISRT

Positions Supervised: No

Travel: <25% of the time

DESCRIPTION:

ABSI Aerospace & Defense is an innovative small business headquartered in the St Mary’s County Innovation District located in Southern Maryland, a short distance from Naval Air Systems Command. At its core, ABSI is a technical solutions company committed to rapidly delivering emerging technologies that create asymmetric advantages for our customers. This is only made possible by 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 Aerospace & Defense is seeking a Journeyman to Senior-level Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Operator to support Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) RDT&E operations at NAS Patuxent River. The position will support cutting edge and emerging technology development and test at UX-24 based at NAS Patuxent River’s Webster OLF in St Inigoes, MD.

The selected candidate will serve as an Air Vehicle Operator/Pilot (AVO/AVP) supporting Category A/B flight test events for Group 1–3 UAS. This role operates within a structured flight test environment and contributes to test planning, execution, data collection, and reporting in accordance with NAVAIR, NATOPS, and DCMA flight operations guidance.

This is not a commercial drone operator role—it requires disciplined execution in a developmental test environment supporting Navy aviation programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The S-UAS Operator will:  

Flight Operations & Test Execution

• Operate Group 1–3 UAS in support of RDT&E flight test missions


• Perform internal or external AVO duties and ground launch/recovery operations


• Execute missions in accordance with approved flight procedures and safety requirements


• Conduct pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight operations consistent with test objectives

Test Planning & Integration

• Support test planning activities, including development of procedures and test cards


• Participate in mission briefs, test readiness reviews, and safety reviews


• Coordinate with Flight Test Engineers (FTEs), project teams, and operations personnel

Data Collection & Reporting

• Collect and annotate test data during flight operations


• Support post-flight debriefs and quick-look analysis


• Draft test reports, deficiency reports, and technical inputs


• Assist in identifying system performance issues and recommending corrective actions

System Integration & Maintenance Support

• Configure, modify, and integrate SUAS platforms for test events (airframe, payloads, avionics)


• Perform troubleshooting, repair, and system maintenance


• Support autopilot systems (e.g., Pixhawk), GCS integration, and payload operations

Logistics & Detachment Support

• Prepare systems for transport, deployment, and field operations


• Support CONUS/OCONUS detachments, including setup, execution, and teardown


• Assist with packing, shipping, and inventory management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 500+ hours Group 1–3 UAS flight experience (documented)


• 3+ years of RDT&E experience (developmental or operational test)


• Demonstrated experience operating UAS in structured or mission-driven environments


• Demonstrated familiarity with:
  
  
  
  • Autopilot systems (e.g., Pixhawk or similar)
  
  
  • Ground Control Stations (GCS)
  
  
  • UAS integration and modification
  
  
  
  


• Demonstrated ability to operate in a disciplined flight test environment


• Active Secret clearance


• Ability and willingness to travel CONUS/OCONUS (~25%)


• 
  Active FAA Class 2 Medical certificate

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 
  FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate


• 
  Prior Military experience with SUAS with military training for UAV operations


• 
  Familiarity with NAVAIR / NTWL / RDT&E processes, test documentation and reporting


• 
  Experience supporting flight test teams or T&E environments


• 
  Relevant flight time in larger, semi-automatic, Group 2 or 3 air vehicles


• 
  Payload integration (ISR, sensors, etc.)


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and web-based collaborative resources such as SharePoint and Microsoft Teams

ABSI Aerospace & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind: ABSI is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ABSI are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. ABSI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.