Senior Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This position reports directly to the Manager of Training and Standardization .

The ideal person for this role possesses a deep operational expertise in (s)UAS flight operations, standardization, curriculum development and project management.What

This role serves as a senior pilot for operational procedures, flight area oversight, and technical integration.

The ideal candidate would be experienced in cross-functional engagement, engineering collaboration, flight test support, procedural standardization, interpersonal communication, fundamentals of instruction, team leadership principals, and in creating safe, compliant, mission-ready, staff and operations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• UAS Flight Operations Leadership

• Operational Standardization & Audits

• Risk Management & Safety Programs

• Site Management & Flight Area Oversight

• Engineering & Flight Test Coordination

• Mission Planning & Briefing

• Technical Publications Review

• Knowledge of Emerging UAS Technologies and current market landscape

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

UAS Operations

• Maintain proficiency and currency with all of KHA's emerging UAS technologies, regulatory changes, and operational best practices.

• Hold and maintain all required certifications

• Adhere to FAA regulations and guidelines, ensuring compliance during UAS operations and activities. Including but not limited to FAA Part 107, DOE Orders, restricted airspace protocols, and site procedures.

• Support demonstrations, field missions, customer operations, collaborative experimentation and equipment testing. Examples of UAS operational duties include. Delivering near real-time aerial intelligence, integrating UAS data into customer systems,  flight operations drills, and emergencies.

• Assist with flight planning, pre/post-flight checks, risk assessments, and maintaining accurate maintenance and flight logs.

• Perform routine maintenance, diagnostics, and software updates on UAS platforms and ground control systems.

• Maintenance of your own personal flight records, active participation in training exercises, and maintain individual currency requirements.

• Adhere to Integrated Safety Management (including SP 1-3100), attend required meetings, and maintain a clean, organized UAS hangar.

• Travel up to 70%.

• Serve as a senior pilot authority for operational standards, flight procedures, and safety compliance.

• Conduct periodic audits of flight areas to ensure adherence to company and regulatory requirements.

• Develop, maintain, and standardize operational documentation and mission procedures.

• Manage revision control for risk assessments, mission briefs, and operations guidance.

• Lead or support updates to training content, instructional methods, and delivery standards.

• Provide data-driven recommendations to the Standardization & Training Manager to enhance operational performance

• Work cross-departmentally with key stakeholders to stay current on emerging technologies and configuration updates.

• Act as pilot subject matter expert for engineering, providing operational insight on new technologies and system capabilities.

• Serve as lead liaison for engineering flight test requests, coordinating operational support and risk mitigation.

• Collaborate with technical publications teams to assist in accuracy and operational relevance of pilot-facing documentation.

• Assumes all other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 4 years of directly related experience

• Deep understanding and proficiency Defense related UAS products

• Strong attention to detail with strict adherence to operational and safety protocols

• Experience in conducting demonstrations, field operations, Initial qualification training and evaluations, curriculum development, and equipment testing

• Knowledge of UAS technology, airspace regulations, and industry best practices

• Excellent communication and instructional skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex concepts to trainees

• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in UAS operations

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Military Experience

• FAA Part 107 SUAS Remote Pilot

• FAA Part 61 Pilot

• 5+ years of directly related experience

• Secret Clearance (or eligible)