Flight Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description
WORK LOCATION: San Luis Obispo, CA
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $101,600.00 to $147,900.00 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.
SUMMARY
Redwire Defense Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced UAS Flight Operations Supervisor to lead day-to-day flight test operations, supervise UAS test pilots and technical personnel, and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution of uncrewed aircraft systems flight activities. This role provides technical and operational leadership for prototype and production UAS platforms, including mission planning, flight testing, troubleshooting, documentation, safety oversight, and coordination with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and program stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will have strong UAS operational experience, FAA credentials, demonstrated leadership capability, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to make sound real-time operational decisions in a dynamic test environment. This position is responsible for promoting a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across all flight activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.
• Supervise and provide daily direction to UAS test pilots, operators, technicians, and assigned flight operations personnel.
• Plan, prioritize, and oversee execution of UAS flight test missions for prototype and production platforms.
• Ensure flight operations are conducted in accordance with FAA regulations, company policies, internal safety protocols, and approved test plans.
• Serve as Pilot-in-Command, Mission Commander, or operational lead as required.
• Make real-time go/no-go decisions based on aircraft readiness, environmental conditions, personnel readiness, risk posture, and mission objectives.
• Oversee pre-flight inspections, mission planning, airspace coordination, post-flight debriefs, and operational closeout activities.
• Manage multiple concurrent flight test schedules and adjust priorities based on business needs, engineering requirements, production timelines, and safety considerations.
• Support travel-based flight operations, demonstrations, customer events, and remote test activities as required.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop assigned UAS pilots, operators, technicians, and support personnel.
• Assign daily tasks, monitor work performance, and ensure accountability for operational deliverables.
• Support onboarding, training, qualification tracking, and proficiency development for flight operations personnel.
• Provide feedback to employees and participate in performance reviews, corrective actions, and development planning in partnership with management and Human Resources.
• Foster a professional, safety-focused, collaborative, and high-performance team environment.
• Identify staffing, training, tooling, and process needs required to support operational readiness.
• Oversee engineering flight tests designed to evaluate UAS performance, stability, reliability, system integration, and mission capability.
• Ensure test objectives, procedures, instrumentation needs, risk controls, and success criteria are clearly defined before flight activities.
• Review flight data, operational observations, and test results to support engineering analysis and product improvement.
• Provide actionable technical feedback to engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams based on aircraft performance and system behavior.
• Ensure detailed test reports, performance evaluations, discrepancy reports, and operational records are completed accurately and on time.
• Support equipment testing, system troubleshooting, maintenance coordination, and operational readiness assessments.
• Lead pre-mission risk assessments, safety briefings, and operational readiness reviews.
• Ensure all personnel comply with applicable FAA requirements, internal operating procedures, safety standards, and company policies.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and continuous improvement mindset across all flight operations.
• Identify, document, communicate, and help resolve operational hazards, safety concerns, and process gaps.
• Ensure all aircraft, ground support equipment, tools, and mission systems meet quality and readiness standards prior to deployment.
• Participate in incident reviews, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and lessons-learned activities as required.
• Maintain awareness of evolving UAS technology, airspace regulations, industry best practices, and operational risk management methods.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing, production, program management, and leadership teams to align flight test activities with organizational priorities.
• Translate engineering and production test objectives into executable flight plans and operational tasks.
• Communicate schedule status, operational risks, aircraft readiness, personnel constraints, and test outcomes to internal stakeholders.
• Support demonstrations, customer-facing events, equipment evaluations, and business-critical flight activities as required.
• Partner with leadership to improve flight operations processes, documentation standards, training programs, and resource planning.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Prior military aviation, UAS, test, or operational flight experience.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in flight operations, UAS operations, aviation maintenance, test operations, manufacturing, or a related technical environment.
• Strong knowledge of UAS technology, airspace regulations, FAA requirements, and aviation safety practices.
• Experience conducting UAS flight testing, demonstrations, equipment evaluations, or technical troubleshooting.
• Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to make timely operational and safety decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to brief teams, document findings, and communicate technical information to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure compliance with operational protocols, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities related to UAS equipment and flight operations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams.
• Ability to lift boxes and equipment regularly.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, as business needs require.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• FAA pilot-rated.
• 7+ years of directly related UAS, aviation, flight test, military, manufacturing, or technical operations experience.
• 2+ years of supervisory, team lead, instructor, evaluator, mission commander, or operational leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation, engineering, unmanned systems, aerospace, operations management, or related field.
• Certified Flight Instructor certification.
• Experience supervising flight test teams, UAS pilots, operators, technicians, or aviation maintenance personnel.
• Experience supporting prototype aircraft, production aircraft, engineering development programs, or customer demonstrations.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, corrective action processes, quality systems, or production test environments.
• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR-controlled environments.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS

• Matching 401(k)
• Paid PTO
• Paid holidays
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• HSA and FSA Options
• Critical Care Plan
• Accident Care Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person's status under the ITAR and the EAR.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an "At-Will" basis.