Drone Operator Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Location: Hybrid / Alexandria, VA - Remote

Title: Chief Pilot

Reports to: Director of Flight Operations
 

WHAT WE’RE ABOUT:

Pixis Drones crafts awe-inspiring aerial experiences by marrying artistry, engineering, and

storytelling. We design and deliver large-scale drone light shows for brands, live events, and

cultural moments around the globe. We’re a nimble, innovative, and entrepreneurial team

passionate about precision, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of aerial entertainment.
 

THE ROLE:

The Chief Pilot serves as the senior flight authority and steward of operational excellence

for Pixis Drones’ aerial shows. This full-time role is responsible for overseeing the overall

health, maintenance, and readiness of the drone fleet; mentoring and managing the pilot

corps; and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local aviation regulations.

The Chief Pilot partners closely with the Director of Flight Operations and company

leadership to develop and enforce standard operating procedures, safety systems, and

compliance frameworks that uphold Pixis’ reputation for safe, spectacular, and technically

flawless shows.
 

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Team Management

• Oversee, mentor, and develop the flight operations team, including all certified Part 107 pilots and co-pilots.
• Establish and maintain pilot qualification, training, and evaluation programs to ensure consistent proficiency across all personnel.
• Assign pilots and crews to shows based on skill level, readiness, and project scope.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning within the flight department.

Fleet & Systems Oversight

• Maintain full visibility into the operational health of the drone fleet, including airframes, batteries, RTK ground systems, and control software.
• Direct maintenance, repair, and lifecycle management of all flight hardware; ensure all equipment meets operational and regulatory standards.
• Manage maintenance logs, RMA tracking, and system readiness documentation.• Collaborate with technical teams to vet and implement new technologies that improve reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance & Airspace Management

• Serve as the company’s primary liaison with the FAA and other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Submit and manage all flight authorizations, waivers, and NOTAMs required for Pixis shows.
• Maintain deep knowledge of Part 107, Remote ID, airspace classifications, and evolving regulations relevant to swarm operations and drone light shows.
• Build and sustain relationships within the FAA and local authorities to advocate for safe, innovative use of drone swarm technology.
• Monitor upcoming regulatory changes and proactively update company policies and procedures.

Safety Standards & Operational Protocols

• Set and enforce show safety standards, risk mitigation procedures, and go/no-go criteria.
• Lead the creation and regular revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Operations Manuals, and Emergency Response Plans.
• Conduct and document pre-mission safety reviews, site assessments, and crew briefings.
• Evaluate new show sites and airspace to determine risk levels and develop mitigation plans.
• Budgeting & Strategic Operations
• Partner with the Director of Flight Operations to create and manage the flight ops department budget.
• Oversee procurement decisions related to fleet expansion, maintenance, software, and safety systems.
• Track expenditures and forecast needs to support strategic growth of Pixis flight capabilities.
• Field Operations (as needed)
• Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Co-Pilot for select high-profile or complex shows to maintain firsthand operational awareness.
• Represent Pixis as a technical authority during on-site operations, client interactions, and regulatory inspections.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• •FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing (required).
• Proven experience flying and leading large-scale drone light shows (hundreds to 1,000+ drones).
• Deep understanding of FAA regulations, airspace authorization, waivers, and drone show permitting.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing pilot teams and maintaining operational discipline.
• Proficiency with RTK GNSS, ground control systems, geofencing, and drone show control software (UGCS, PixHawk, etc.).
• Strong relationships with FAA or other aviation regulatory bodies (preferred).
• Exceptional organizational and documentation skills.
• Flexible schedule—willingness to travel (50–75%), including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Background in aviation, aerospace, military, or entertainment technology strongly preferred.

Preferred

• Proven experience in drone light show operations of 100+ drones — ideally up to swarm sizes in hundreds or more
• Field leadership experience, including directing team operations and safety briefings
• Familiarity with show tech ecosystems (timecode sync, audio/visual integration, communication chains)
• Background in military, robotics, entertainment technology, or aerial systems

HOW WE WORK

At Pixis Drones, precision meets creative spectacle. We engineer safety into every show—

from redundancy in hardware/software to procedural discipline and real-time decision

frameworks. Our creative edge is rooted in reliability and operational rigor. We welcome

people from diverse domains—aviation, robotics, events, media—and provide systems

training and mentorship to help you grow.

PHYSICAL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift or carry up to ~50 lbs intermittently; comfortable with walking, standing,

and field deployment tasks

• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background / MVR checks

• Calm under pressure and responsive in dynamic settings

NEXT STEPS:

To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter,

resume/portfolio, and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted. It is

the policy of Pixis to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless

of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion,

creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic

information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or anyother characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, Pixis will provide

reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Next Steps:

To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter, resume and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

It is the policy of RedPeg to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, RedPeg will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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