Title: UAS Flight Test Operator
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Bingen, Washington
FLSA: Non-Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.
We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.
Role Summary:
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, Flight Test Engineers, and designated 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. This position requires automobile travel of up to approximately two hours each way to flight test ranges. Some ground testing may be conducted locally.
The UAS Flight Test Operator helps maintain the readiness of flight test assets, including Air Vehicles, Ground Control Systems (GCS), Ground Support Equipment (GSE), payloads, radios, and test support equipment. This requires a working knowledge of major UAS subsystems and strong configuration-control discipline to support safe, repeatable test execution. The role maintains logbooks, maintenance records, configuration records, discrepancy reports, and operator observations necessary for flight test traceability.
As a member of a small, cross-functional team, the UAS Flight Test Operator supports assembly, setup, teardown, inspections, configuration verification, and test preparation activities. The role provides operator feedback to engineering and may contribute to operating procedures, build instructions, and test summaries. Engineering test plans, technical analysis, design authority, and air vehicle modifications remain the responsibility of the appropriate engineering leads.
The UAS Flight Test Operator also supports subsystem bench testing, iron bird testing, diagnostics, debugging, and root cause investigations led by engineering. In this capacity, the role assists with issue reproduction, data collection, configuration verification, and controlled test execution. This position requires familiarity with Air Vehicles, Ground Control Stations and associated software, Ground Support Equipment, payloads, radios, and other test support systems. Previous experience as a UAS Operator, Maintenance Instructor, military instructor, developmental test team member, Field Service Representative, or equivalent technical professional is preferred.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Execute approved flight test cards, ground test procedures, checklists, and flight profiles for Group 2+ UAS under the direction of Flight Test Engineers or designated 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.
Qualifications & Experience:
Required:
- This position may require access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To comply with these requirements, 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 preferred.
- Minimum of 4 years of military or commercial UAS experience.
- Experience supporting UAS developmental flight testing.
- 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, QGroundControl, 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.
Preferred:
- 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 QGroundControl, 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.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and precipitation.
- Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods during flight and ground test operations.
- Ability to travel by automobile up to approximately two hours each way to test sites.
- Ability to lift, carry, move, and position UAS components, batteries, payloads, radios, Ground Control Station equipment, tools, and support equipment (often 25–50 lbs, occasionally more with assistance).
- Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, climb ladders or steps, and work in confined or awkward positions while assembling, inspecting, or maintaining equipment.
- Ability to perform fine motor tasks such as connecting wiring harnesses, operating test equipment, conducting inspections, and handling small mechanical or electrical components.
- Ability to maintain visual awareness of aircraft operations and monitor flight activity at varying distances.
- Ability to distinguish colors, indicators, warning lights, and system displays.
- Ability to operate computers, control stations, handheld controllers, radios, and test instrumentation for extended periods.
- Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment, rotating propellers, electrical systems, fuel systems, and ground support equipment while following established safety procedures.
- Ability to safely access remote test locations and uneven terrain.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and other safety gear as required.
- Ability to respond quickly during flight test operations and emergency procedures.
Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
