Job Description
Job Description Drone Operator Compensation: $130K + Equity Location: Sunnyvale, CA or Paso Robles, CA The Role We're hiring a Drone Operator to support our unmanned aerial systems (UAS) programs and ensure our platforms are ready to execute in the field. A Drone Operator is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and readiness of the company's aerial robotics and support equipment.
You'll spend most of your week in the field, conducting flight tests, operating drones in diverse mission scenarios, and keeping our fleet in peak condition. This role is highly hands-on: you'll be flying, troubleshooting, repairing, updating software, and ensuring that we're conducting flights in mission-relevant conditions. Your work is the backbone that enables flight testing, data collection, and rapid iteration on cutting-edge autonomy.
This is a startup. You'll be moving fast, context-switching daily, and helping define the culture and process as we go. This is a rare opportunity to come in early and architect the future of defense.
Responsibilities - Operate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) during test missions, training, and field operations
- Conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections to ensure airworthiness and mission readiness
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair drones and associated ground support equipment
- Log flight hours, maintenance actions, and mission data for reporting and compliance
- Support engineers by executing test plans, capturing data, and providing operator feedback
- Safely transport, stage, and deploy drones across a variety of environments
- Stay current with UAS software, firmware, and autonomy system updates
- Enforce safe operating procedures and adhere to regulatory requirements
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare platforms for demonstrations and field trials
Qualifications: - FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Hands-on experience operating drones in training, testing, or mission environments
- Strong technical skills with UAV hardware, electronics, and ground control systems
- Ability to perform field-level maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs
- Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of conditions and environments
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe operating practices
- Ability to lift, transport, and set up drone systems and support equipment
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for logging missions and reporting results
Why Join the company: - Work on the world's most important frontier, ensuring U.S. and allied dominance in the age of intelligent machines
- Be a core part of a team building the first defense-specific robotic foundation model
- Collaborate with some of the top engineers in autonomy, AI, and national security
- See your work deployed on real systems
- Help define the future of intelligent defense systems
- Backed by Draper Associates, Booz Allen Ventures, and other top investors
Benefits: - Competitive base salary and meaningful equity
- Premium medical, dental, and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution
- Competitive PTO and company holiday calendar
- Catered lunch daily and fully stocked kitchen
- EV charging
- Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility)
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