Unmanned Vehicle System Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $77,299.00 - $90,048.00 Annually
Location : Panama City Main Campus
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500133
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: Business and Technology
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Description
The primary function of this position is to teach lecture and hands-on lab courses in the Unmanned Vehicle Systems Program. Courses include Private Pilot Operations, Unmanned Vehicle Systems I (Part 107 UAS), Unmanned Vehicle Systems II (Advanced UAS & Maritime Systems), Unmanned Vehicle System Security, Unmanned Vehicle Systems Practicum, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, and Introduction to Seamanship courses. Other primary functions include collaborating with local employers in unmanned systems and related industries to develop/revise curricula to ensure alignment with labor market demand. Facilitate program advisory meetings in accordance with college policy. As the Instructional Coordinator of the program, you must have the ability to recruit and manage qualified adjunct instructors. Additionally, the coordinator facilitates partnerships with the Bay Economic Development Alliance, the U.S. Department of War, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other industry partners to develop a workforce capable of meeting the demands of emerging unmanned vehicle missions. Additional duties to ensure the ongoing viability of the program include student recruitment, advising, developing internship opportunities, and post-graduation job placement, and maintenance of program effectiveness documentation.
What Gulf Coast State College offers you:
An excellent work/life balance, with a standard work week of 37.5 hours/week!
Retirement Plan and 403b or 457b savings plan that will allow you to plan for your future!
An excellent state medical plan. ($50 individual and $180 for family)
Additional benefits of dental, vision, short and long term disability insurances, and College-paid life insurance!
Critical Illness, Cancer, and Whole Life insurance plans!
Accrued annual leave, sick leave
Tuition reimbursement opportunities!
Opportunities to volunteer for committees to help in your professional growth!
Examples of Duties
Twelve month instructional coordinators carry a teaching load of 15 credit hours, and/or 18-24 contact hours 10 posted office hours, and up to 12.5 additional hours each week for position responsibilities, internal service to the college, community service, and leadership responsibilities. Twelve-month faculty requirements include a summer teaching load up to 6 credit hours, administrative duties for program management, and advising for currently enrolled AA and AS transfer track students and potential students outside GCSC.
Ensure program alignment and compliance with the FLDOE curriculum framework, GCSC Strategic Plan, and college policies.
Collaborate with other faculty members and adjuncts to coordinate, evaluate, and recommend program updates and changes.
Design, update, revise, and maintain curriculum, including course design and labs, when applicable, for face-to-face, hybrid, and distance learning modalities.
Design structured lab courses that complement theoretical unmanned vehicle systems knowledge with practical, hands-on experiences. Ensure that the course content is relevant to current industry trends and technologies.
Establish and ensure well-equipped laboratory spaces for conducting experiments, exercises, and projects related to various Unmanned Vehicle System disciplines.
Identify and procure necessary materials, tools, and equipment to conduct laboratory experiments, exercises, and projects safely and effectively. Optimize resource use while maintaining quality standards.
Develop comprehensive safety protocols and guidelines for laboratory activities, ensuring the well-being of students and adherence to regulatory standards.
Prepare clear and concise instructional materials, such as lab manuals, handouts, and multimedia resources, to support student learning and facilitate self-directed study.
Design appropriate assessment methods to evaluate students' performance in the laboratory sessions. Provide timely feedback and guidance to help students improve their skills and understanding.
Regularly review and update the lab course content and methodologies based on feedback from students, industry partners, and advancements in Unmanned Vehicle Systems technology.
Collaborate with fellow instructors, academic advisors, and industry professionals to enhance the learning experience and ensure program objectives align.
Identify and develop adjunct instructors, creating an innovative, team-oriented work environment.
Coordinate with other faculty/programs to develop course schedules for each semester to prevent conflicts and align common course offerings.
Provide academic advising guidance to students regarding course selection, scheduling, and degree completion/graduation requirements
Plan and coordinate recruiting events for Unmanned Vehicle Systems programs and participate in college-wide recruiting events.
Participate in K-12 program advisory committees and other projects/events to build a collaborative relationship and establish a pipeline of students into our programs
Collaborate with community partners such as the Bay Economic Development Alliance, the U.S. Department of War, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other industry partners to develop a sustainable workforce capable of meeting the demands of emerging unmanned vehicle missions.
Office hours are spent helping students with lecture material and lab work outside of class, reading emails, returning phone calls, and providing academic advising.
Other professional duties include but are not limited to writing and grading tests, preparing for labs, looking for ways to improve class delivery, updating course information on our course management system, preparing for committee meetings, attending committee meetings, and helping adjuncts with course-related issues.
Evaluate software needed for all courses within the program and collaborate with IT personnel to ensure updates are made promptly annually, including testing before class starts to ensure the classrooms and labs are ready for the semester.
Develop partnerships with local agencies/businesses pertinent to programs.
Attend professional development training, workshops, and seminars
Maintain memberships/participate in professional organizations to stay abreast of best practices within the field
Develop articulation with universities for student transfer
Attend and participate in planning meetings, department meetings, and administrative meetings
Maintain Federal Aviation Administration and United States Coast Guard required Documentation
Qualifications
Preferred:
Master's Degree in Unmanned/Uncrewed Systems, Engineering, Aviation/Aeronautics, Maritime Technology, Geographic Information Systems, or related field with 1- 3 years of industry experience in the following areas: UAS Operations, USV/UUV/ROV Operations, UGV Operations, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, or Unmanned Vehicle Systems Production/Development
Alternative Credentialing
Bachelor's degree with three or more years' experience in Unmanned Vehicle Systems or related industry, with required and preferred industry certifications.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, ETC:
Required
Federal Aviation Administration Remote Pilot Certificate with Small UAS Rating
Federal Aviation Administration Ground Instructor Certificate (Basic or Advanced Rating), or Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane or Helicopter)
Preferred
AUVSI Trusted Operator (Level 2 or 3 Instructor Pilot)
Geographic Information System Professional
USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels or Master License
Supplemental Information
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Low to High degree of hazard or danger is associated with the position. Most work is performed in traditional classroom and academic laboratory environments. However, some instructional and service work may be in outdoor environments under a variety of weather conditions, both on land and at sea. The noise level in the environment is moderate.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use their hands to finger, handle, and feel. The employee is regularly required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and climb/balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. The vision requirements include close and distance vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to distinguish colors.
Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, supplemental life insurances including accident, critical illness and cancer; time off benefits include holidays, vacation, and both annual and sick leave accrual.
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