Remote Aircraft Planning Engineer Jobs in Arizona

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

The Strategic Division (SD) supports high-reliability organizations including Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, and the Department of Energy (DOE), among others. Our support across our client base is expanding rapidly and encompasses important services, such as data analytics and visualization, threat analysis, risk management, modeling and simulation, cost estimating, earned value management, program management, system engineering, independent evaluation, and High Consequence Event prevention.

The Surety Programs Group (SPG) supports government and private sector management of complex safety, security, and reliability programs for high consequence operations.  SPG delivers industry-leading, innovative, and value-added services such as data analytics and visualization, threat analysis, risk management, modeling and simulation, program management, system engineering, independent evaluation, and High Consequence Event prevention to help our clients understand and mitigate mission risks spanning physical, cyber, and human domains.

SPA has an immediate need for a UAS Pilot to work full time, on-site in Yuma, AZ. This position combines hands-on fabrication with pilot-in-command responsibility. You will build, maintain and repair fixed-wing and multirotor aircraft, and operate them in support of flight tests, training, and data collection events for our government and commercial customers.  You will work as an individual contributor and as part of a team, with increasing independence as you demonstrate proficiency.

Responsibilities include:

Flight Operations:

• Maintain full control and responsibility for the safety, efficiency, and operation of remote-control UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
• Provide fabrication, maintenance, service, and repair of fixed-wing and multirotor UAS.
• Manage data collection activities related to aircraft telemetry and imagery.
• Plan and execute autonomous and manual missions, including pre-flight risk assessment, airspace deconfliction, crew briefing, and post-mission debrief and data handoff.
• Maintain appropriate flight logs and pilot certifications to remain a certified FAA Small UAS pilot operator (14 CFR part 107).
• Build government customer relationships in support of the mission.

Build, Fabrication, and Integration:

• Manually build and assemble Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 fixed-wing and multirotor Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) from engineering drawings, wiring schematics, bills of material, and written work instructions.
• Troubleshoot, inspect, and repair aircraft following hard landings and mishaps, including root-cause inspection of structures, wiring, connectors, and flight logs.
• Provide government customer support and assist in monitoring the fabrication, maintenance, servicing, and repair of UAS.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and foreign-object-debris (FOD) free work area.

Required Qualifications:

Pilot Qualifications:

• A minimum of 300 logged hours operating remote-control aircraft or commercial/military aircraft.
• Three (3) years of experience in remote-control fixed-wing and multirotor UAS piloting, UAS fabrication, maintenance, and repair.
• Demonstrated ability to pilot aircraft via:
  • Line of Sight (LOS)
  • Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
  • First Person View (FPV) using a Remote Pilot Station
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.
• Expertise flying Autonomous Missions using the following:
  • ArduPilot with Pixhawk
  • Mission Planner
  • RFD Tools
  • Cube-Based Autopilot
• Must be able to work outdoors in all environmental conditions.

Build and Fabrication Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of hands-on experience in the fabrication, assembly, repair, and maintenance of fixed-wing and multirotor remote-control aircraft or UAS. Equivalent experience will be considered, including:
  • Military or contractor UAS maintenance experience;
  • Aviation, avionics, or electro-mechanical assembly experience;
  • Completion of an accredited UAS, aviation maintenance, or electronics technical program;
  • A verifiable portfolio of scratch-built or kit-built remote-control aircraft.
• Ability to read and work from engineering drawings, wiring schematics, bills of material, and written work instructions.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring equipment (calipers, torque drivers, multimeters).
• Careful workmanship, attention to detail, and the ability to adhere closely to and execute written instructions.
• Ability to lift over 35 pounds.

General

• Work full time, on-site in Yuma, AZ, Monday through Friday or as required by a contract. Be willing to travel for other contracts to include potential international travel (current passport required).
• U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance.
• High School Diploma or GED.

Desired Qualifications:

• 600 or more logged hours operating remote-control aircraft or commercial/military aircraft.
• Four (4) or more years of relevant UAS piloting, fabrication, and data capture experience.
• Experience operating Group 2 and Group 3 UAS.
• AMA Turbine Waiver.
• Ability to meet the personnel qualification, training, and currency requirements of the FAA's potentially forthcoming Part 108 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) framework, if issued.
• Experience operating under FAA waivers and Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs), including public aircraft operations and BVLOS waivers under 14 CFR 107.31.
• Experience supporting flight operations on a government test range.
• Experience with post-mission data capture.
• Associate's or higher college degree, or a technical certificate in aviation maintenance, UAS technology, or electronics.
• Experience with ArduPilot or PX4 firmware configuration, parameter tuning, and flight log review.
• Active DoD Security Clearance.
• Experience building or maintaining Group 2 and Group 3 UAS, including handling and fixturing of large airframes.