Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Field Integration and Test (R5130)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

What you'll do:

Field integration support: 

Supports site surveys, installations, calibrations, 

aircraft

 operational checks, and customer handoff activities while 

maintaining

 safe and effective V-BAT operations

Operational leadership: 

Leads flight operations and field events with autonomy, sound judgment, and disciplined risk management

Systems troubleshooting: 

Diagnoses and resolves issues across 

aircraft

, payloads, ground systems, datalinks, LAN-based networks, MANET networks, RF communications, SATCOM, and support equipment in field conditions

Cross-functional coordination: 

Works directly with FIT, Deployment Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Training, Customer Operations, and customers to close issues and drive operational readiness

Instructor 

and

 mentorship capability: 

Trains, evaluates, and develops 

operators

 while reinforcing standards, TTPs, 

checklist discipline, and safe operating

 practices

Required Qualifications:

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 maintain a Secret DoD security clearance 

Ability to pass background check, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings 

Willingness to travel on short notice 50 to 75 percent in support of CONUS and OCONUS site surveys, installs, calibrations, flight operations, customer events, and deployment support

Ability to climb ship masts, vertical ladders, and rooftop access points; work in confined or tight areas; and lift and carry 50 pounds or more in land-based and maritime environments

Proven ability to lead and operate independently in small teams, including austere, shipboard, expeditionary, and high-tempo environments

Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, crew coordination, and risk management skills

Ability to troubleshoot 

aircraft

, payload, ground control, communications, network, and support equipment issues at the field level

Preferred Qualifications:

FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License 

Experience operating as aircrew on manned aircraft 

Experience with MANET, MPU5, RF communications, Starlink, Starshield, and SATCOM integration or setup

Prior military service, especially with overseas, maritime, or deployed operations

Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience

Previous

 experience as a Site Lead, Crew Lead, Instructor Operator, or aviation operations lead

Experience supporting system installation, calibration, test events, or field acceptance activities

Experience troubleshooting RF, C2, SATCOM, MANET, Starlink, 

Starshield

, ISR payload, or ground control system issues

Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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