Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Deployed Operations Site Lead

The role

This role leads V-BAT flight operations for DoD and foreign customers in land-based and maritime environments outside the continental US. The Senior Air Vehicle Operator plans missions, runs risk assessments and briefings, flies missions, and mentors junior operators.

What you will do

• Execute and lead V-BAT flight operations
• Lead mission planning
• Perform comprehensive risk assessments
• Deliver pre-mission briefings and structured post-flight debriefs
• Conduct Functional Check Flights and system validation as required
• Ensure aircraft configuration control and logbook accuracy
• Coordinate with maintenance to sustain fleet readiness
• Mentor junior operators
• Serve as on-site operational representative to customers

Required qualifications

• Minimum of 2000 documented unmanned flight hours or 1000 manned flight hours
• Demonstrated instructor experience (manned or unmanned aviation)
• FAA Private Pilot License (PPL)
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate
• Ability to obtain and hold a Secret DoD security clearance
• Ability to pass background, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings
• Willingness to travel up to 50–75% in support of deployments
• Ability to lead and operate independently in small teams under austere conditions
• Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, and risk management skills

Nice to have

• FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License
• Experience operating as aircrew on manned aircraft
• Prior military service, particularly with overseas or deployed operations
• Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience
• Previous experience as a Site Lead or in a leadership role overseeing aviation operations

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Equity
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees (applies after 60 days of employment)

Before you apply

• Offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Ability to obtain and hold a Secret DoD security clearance is required
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.