Back to jobs

UAS SYSTEM ENGINEER/ INSTRUCTOR

Platform Aerospace · Blackstone, VA, US

Spotted 10h ago

Job details

Level
Senior
Experience
5+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Posted
Nov 3, 2026
Last confirmed open
Nov 4, 2026
Job description

About this role

Job Title: UAS SYSTEM ENGINEER/ INSTRUCTOR

Department: FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Reports To: DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRAINING OPERATIONS

Classification: FULL-TIME

Clearance: ABILITY TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A SECRET CLEARANCE

Location: BLACKSTONE, VA### Job Summary

The UAS Systems Engineer / Instructor supports the operation, sustainment, development, and training of Vanilla UAS. This role combines systems engineering expertise with instructor capabilities to deliver classroom, simulator, and live-flight instruction while supporting system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

Duties/Responsibilities

  • Develop and deliver classroom, simulator, and live-flight instruction to UAS operators, maintainers, and support personnel.
  • Support Vanilla UAS system integration, sustainment, and configuration management activities.
  • Develop, manage, and trace system requirements, and support verification and validation efforts.
  • Plan, support, and execute developmental and operational testing, including data collection and analysis.
  • Troubleshoot system and ground control station issues, perform engineering analysis, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Support flight operations and mission planning, ensuring safe and compliant operations in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance, training effectiveness, and mission readiness.
  • Prepare technical documentation, reports, and briefings for leadership and customers.
  • Perform other duties as are necessary and/or required.

Basic Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Management, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of technical experience with UAS.
  • 5+ years of experience in network and/or systems engineering.
  • Experience operating, maintaining, or supporting Group 3 UAS platforms.
  • Experience developing or delivering technical training programs.
  • Working knowledge of:

+ Systems engineering processes

+ Requirements management

+ Verification and validation

+ Configuration management

+ Flight operations

+ Mission planning systems

+ Ground control stations

  • Ability to travel up to 50%.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) UAS programs.
  • Previous military instructor qualification, or instructor certification from a military, government, or industry training organization.
  • Experience supporting developmental or operational testing.
  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
  • Experience using Cameo Systems Modeler, DOORS, Jira, Confluence, MATLAB, and/or Python.
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and/or Private Pilot License (PPL).

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

  • Prolonged standing, walking, bending, and kneeling.
  • Perceiving differences in wire and indicator light colors.
  • Operating hand and power tools.
  • Lifting, carrying, and/or moving tools, equipment, and components weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Working in confined spaces and around aircraft.
  • Ascending and descending ladders or stairs as required.

Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, education and training, job-related knowledge and skills, the scope and level of responsibility of the position, internal equity, and market/business considerations. The listed range is a general guideline and may vary based on the selected candidate's qualifications and work location, where applicable.

Interested in this role?Continue on Platform Aerospace's careers page.
Apply on Platform Aerospace