HavocAI
Air Operations Specialist
$130K–$155K
San Diego · Hybrid · Full-time · Posted Jul 16, 2026
About the job
Operates and supports small UAS missions with military customers, including field deployments, operational planning, testing, demonstrations, and feedback to product and engineering teams.
What you'll do
- Deploy and operate small UAS at live events and exercises, integrating with military units.
- Plan, coordinate, and brief drone operations to customers and internal stakeholders.
- Support test events and demonstrations, relay operator feedback, and help improve operational procedures and products.
What they ask for
- Hands-on experience with military drone systems and operational employment tactics, and demonstrated experience planning and briefing operations.
- Personal involvement with small UAS outside work, such as recreational flying, building or modifying platforms, or drone-community participation.
- Hands-on experience with open-source autopilots such as ArduPilot or PX4, and familiarity with GCS platforms and flight log analysis.
- Understanding of RF fundamentals, link budgets, and basic UAS electronics; willingness to obtain an FAA Part 107 certificate if needed; willingness to travel approximately 30%, including potential overseas deployments.
Nice to have
- Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Experience with autonomous or AI-enabled UAS, C2 software, operational testing, customer demonstrations, or defense technology companies.
Pay
USD $130K – $155K base salary
Tools
ArduPilot, PX4, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, FAA Part 107
AI focus
Supports operational testing and field use of autonomous or AI-enabled UAS platforms; provides operator feedback to improve products and procedures.
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative