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Job Description:

Aerovel (the Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program) is looking for a Flight Operator I to join our UAS Flight Operations department based in Bingen, WA.

You’ll be responsible for flight and maintenance duties for global customer demonstrations, field integrations of the Flexrotor system, CONUS demonstration flights, and engineering/post-production test flight operations. This role involves direct collaboration with production and engineering teams, conducting independent flight and maintenance duties, performing and validating functional tests on aircraft and equipment, maintaining aircraft and GSE logbooks, and providing technical leadership to deployed operations. The Flexrotor Operator ensures the operational readiness, functionality, and safety of all aircraft systems.

Meet the Team:

The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most advanced small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.

Your Working Environment:

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Columbia River Gorge in Bingen, WA, our workplace offers innovation and the ability to contribute to game-changing solutions while enjoying the flexibility to spread your wings. Whether it&39;s solving complex challenges, or celebrating victories, you’ll be part of a cohesive crew that thrives on innovation and the beauty that the Pacific Northwest has to offer!

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages. 

• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000&43; e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.

Your Challenges:

Primary Responsibilities:

Field Operations and Customer Demonstrations: 50

• Preparation of customer aircraft for acceptance, including Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and payloads.

• Independently perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on aircraft, GSE, and related equipment.

• Conduct comprehensive inventories and inspections of all system components to ensure compliance with company standards.

• Identify, troubleshoot, and implement solutions for technical discrepancies to ensure all products meet compliance standards post-delivery.

• Maintain detailed records in aircraft logbooks and digital information tracking systems.

• Conduct site surveys and lead integration activities.

• Develop post-mission products and author after-action reports for HQ Flight Operations & Demo.

• Run pre-installation site surveys to define requirements and mitigate potential challenges.

Technical Leadership and Support: 45

• Collaborate with and provide expert feedback to the flight operations and engineering teams to identify and resolve complex challenges.

• Installation and configuration of systems and sites for operations, on both land and maritime platforms.

• Verify the inventory of parts received on-site for completeness and quality.

• Ensure full compliance with all required non-production Service Bulletins and regulatory standards.

• Conduct and validate functional tests on Flexrotor UAS systems using approved procedures.

• Oversee administrative functions to support demonstrations and integrations, ensuring record-keeping integrity.

• Guarantee all departmental documents and records are accurately maintained and ready for company or government audits.

• Provide experienced support for flight demonstrations, engineering, and post-production flight tests.

• Contribute to the development and improvement of training materials and provide instructional support as a subject matter expert.

Additional Responsibilities: 5

• Other duties as assigned:

  • Participate in and contribute to periodic training sessions and workshops to enhance team knowledge.

  • Mentor junior personnel and support ad-hoc requests from management to meet departmental objectives.

Your Boarding Pass:

Required:

• High School Graduate or equivalent.

• Minimum of 2 years of direct experience in UAS/drone operations, flight testing, or aviation maintenance.

• Required: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

• Up to 60 Domestic and International Travel involved

• Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder, or person covered under our existing ITAR license).

• Proven problem-solving abilities with a proactive and independent approach to issue resolution.

• High attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of record-keeping and documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

• Highly flexible and adaptable to changing operational environments.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form in English.

• Proven ability to create detailed technical reports, documentation, and correspondence.

• Ability to compose clear and professional emails, memos, and technical documents.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for leading collaborations with cross-functional teams.

• Advanced ability to troubleshoot complex aircraft systems and resolve discrepancies.

• In-depth knowledge of aviation regulations and compliance standards.

• High competence in reading and interpreting technical schematics and documentation.

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software tools.

Preferred:

• Technical Schooling, Associate&39;s, or Bachelor&39;s Degree, or equivalent experience in an aviation environment.

• Experience leading small teams or field deployments.

• Experience with maritime UAS operations.

• Prior experience in a customer-facing or field service engineering role.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is preferred.

• Experience with specific Ground Control Station (GCS) software.

• Familiarity with data analysis and post-processing of flight logs.

Physical Requirements:

• Onsite or remote: 40 onsite

• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. daily

• Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms. daily

• Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. daily

• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts. daily

• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Several times a week

• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Several times a week

• Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. Several times a week

• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer. daily

• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving. daily

• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor. daily

• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice. Several times a year

• Walking (including routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces. daily

• Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

• Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Qualified candidates for this role must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)

Hourly range:

Hourly range based on the required profile: $23 - $35/hour plus overtime differential when travelling.  Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors. This position offers the following benefits:  Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Prescription insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, Short and Long-term Disability insurance, 401(k), Paid time off including paid holidays, Tuition Assistance, Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria.  These are our current benefit offerings for the current plan year and are subject to change without notice..

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Employment Type:

Experience Level:

Remote Type:

Job Family:

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Job Posting End Date: 09.26.2025

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