{"id":3478833,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator","title":"Sr. Flight Test Operator","company":{"id":176366,"name":"AeroVironment","domain":"avinc.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/aerovironment","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":83,"open_postings":26,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.692,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":36,"computed_at":"2026-10-31T05:58:55Z"}},"role":"Field & Service","role_family":"Field & Service","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Lawrence, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":54000,"max_usd":105000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":3574},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Computer Use","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-29T19:35:32Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-29","last_verified_at":"2026-10-31T05:03:12Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"Worker Type\nRegularJob Description\nSummary\nThe Sr. Flight Test Operator position located in Lawrence, KS, works with the Flight Test & Evaluation (T&E) team to test innovative uncrewed systems for defense and commercial applications.\nThis position is to be filled with a highly motivated Test Pilot with a passion for developmental flight test in support of delivering uncrewed systems. You will work with program leadership and multi-disciplinary engineers to help solve complex problems. This role will be responsible for assisting with planning, coordination, execution and reporting on all aspects of the flight test program.\nPosition Responsibilities\nMaintain a high degree of professionalism including punctuality and culpability.\nPrepare mission test cards and assist in planning the flight missions to meet Engineering requirements.\nAct as a safety pilot of a semi-autonomous remote piloted helicopter by means of a Ground Control Station (GCS) laptop, tablet, and a Radio Control (RC) transmitter.\nObserve and direct crew/team members in their positions and actions to always maintain a safe posture.\nPerform duties as Pilot in Command during flight test operations and manage the responsibilities associated with that position.\nCross communicates with multiple teams, internal and external to AeroVironment, including Senior Leadership or Customers.\nTravel on short notice to fulfill operational needs if and when those needs arise.\nMaintain all required training and certifications required to perform your job, both internal and external such as FAA certifications.\nProvide training and professional developmental support to coworkers under the guidance of AeroVironment as needed.\nOther duties as assigned\nBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)\nHigh School Diploma or equivalent\n5 years of developmental test experience\n5 years of RC Helicopter experience\nCurrently hold a private pilot license (PLL)\nAbility to proficiently, safely fly and maintain large RC helicopters.\nWilling to work on weapons systems.\nWilling to travel as required.\nWilling to receive and maintain a security clearance.\nPreferred Qualifications & Desired Competencies\nCurrently have or can obtain Part 107 Certification to operate small, unmanned aircraft Systems (SUAS).\nBachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field: or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.\nExcellent communication and teamwork abilities.\nProficient with computer use (standard browser, word processing applications).\nWilling to be multi-capable, this shall include some electronics troubleshooting and repair.\nStrong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.\nAbility to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a fast paced, challenging work environment.\nPhysical Demands\nAbility to work in both office and test environments. (constant)\nAbility to sit and stand for extended periods and frequently talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. (frequent)\nAbility to travel and support flight test operations in remote areas\nSpecial Requirement s\nU.S. citizenship is required.\nMust be able to travel domestically within the continental United States and internationally, as required.\nClearance Level\nNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:\n$29 - $44AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.\nITAR Requirement:\nThis position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.\nBenefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.\nWe also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.\nPrincipals only need apply. NO agencies please.\nAbout AV:\nAV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.\nWe don’t just build defense technology-we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.\nFounded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.\nIf you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there’s no better place to do it than AV.\nWe are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.\nITAR","description_format":"text","description_chars":6276,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"high_school","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Military","Drones & UAVs","Military Drones","Defense Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-29T19:35:32Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":63,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.632,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":36,"reasons":["conf:0","stale_co","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-31T05:58:55Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-31T16:59:40Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":26565,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-01T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":176366},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=176366"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Faerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Faerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Faerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/aerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Faerovironment-sr-flight-test-operator"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3478833}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"avinc.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3478833},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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