Group 1-3 UAS Air Vehicle Pilot/Operator

Title:

Group 1-3 UAS Air Vehicle Pilot/Operator

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions. 

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact. 

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment. 

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a highly qualified Group 1-3 UAS Air Vehicle Pilot to support Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO FOUR (UX-24) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Webster Outlying Field, Maryland. The selected candidate will initially support UX-24's Counter UAS (CUAS) and Unmanned Autonomy Robotics Technology (UART) teams, conducting UAS operations in support of developmental testing, technology demonstrations, and other research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities.

The selected candidate will operate a variety of UAS platforms and configurations in support of CUAS, autonomy, technology development, and other emerging test requirements. Responsibilities may include internal and external UAS operation, ground control station operations, launch and recovery, mission preparation, instructor duties, aircraft integration and modification, and ground testing or maintenance support.

This is a hands-on UAS operator position working as part of an integrated developmental test team of Project Officers, engineers, operators, technicians, range personnel, and Government customers. As NTWL's robotic and autonomous systems mission expands, the position may transition to support a broader portfolio of RAS developmental test activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Operate Group 1-3 UAS as an Air Vehicle Pilot/Operator in support of developmental test, CUAS, autonomy, technology-development, and other RDT&E activities.
• Perform internal and/or external UAS flight operations, ground-control-station duties, mission preparation, launch and recovery, and associated ground operations as qualified and assigned.
• Support mission planning, preflight preparation, risk-management activities, airspace coordination, test execution, post-flight debriefs, and collection of test observations and results.
• Serve as an instructor for UAS operators and other aircrew when appropriately qualified, supporting initial qualification, continuation training, and platform transition.
• Support integration, modification, configuration, troubleshooting, ground testing, and minor maintenance of assigned UAS and associated equipment consistent with qualifications and assigned responsibilities.
• Work closely with Project Officers, engineers, test conductors, technicians, range personnel, and other test-team members to safely and effectively accomplish test objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's degree or higher in UAS operations, aviation, engineering, electronics, or another relevant technical field is desired.
• Minimum of 500 hours of relevant UAS flight experience, with substantial experience operating Group 2 and/or Group 3 UAS.
• Demonstrated experience operating UAS in complex military, test, training, or operational environments.
• Experience with UAS ground-control stations, autopilot systems, mission-planning systems, data links, payload integration, and/or aircraft modification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UAS flight operations, aviation safety, risk management, airspace procedures, and crew coordination.
• Ability to support hands-on integration, ground testing, launch/recovery, troubleshooting, and maintenance activities associated with assigned UAS.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience supporting RDT&E or developmental flight test activities.
• Previous designation as a military UAS Air Vehicle Pilot/Operator, Instructor Operator, Standardization Operator, or comparable military UAS qualification.
• FAA pilot certification or other relevant civilian UAS/aviation qualification.
• Experience operating multiple Group 1-3 UAS platforms rather than experience limited to a single aircraft.
• Experience with Pixhawk or comparable autopilot architectures, ground-control stations, open-architecture UAS, system integration, modification, or experimental aircraft configurations.
• CUAS, threat-replication, autonomy, robotics, or advanced technology-development experience.
• Experience serving as a UAS instructor and conducting operator qualification or continuation training.
• Experience operating from Webster Outlying Field or within the NAS Patuxent River/Webster Field airspace and range environment.
• Formal education or training in developmental test and evaluation.

Work Environment

• Primary work location will be the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland area, to include Webster Outlying Field.
• This is primarily an on-site position supporting Government test activities.
• Travel may be required to support test events and program activities.

Compensation: $105,000-$157,000. The salary range posted is based on the national average. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s location, knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience, contract affordability, and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation: KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

KBR Benefits​: KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

About Us

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact

Fraud Alert

As Trinzic prepares to launch as an independent company through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, job seekers may encounter fraudulent recruiting activity that improperly uses the names, logos, or branding of either Trinzic or KBR.
Bad actors may mix in fake job advertisements with legitimate postings. These ads can include contact instructions and require job seekers to send sensitive personal information or money to pay for visa applications, processing fees, etc., in exchange for consideration for a high-paying position. 
 
Neither Trinzic nor KBR will ever ask for any sort of advance payment as part of the recruiting or hiring process. Candidate profiles are carefully managed to protect personal information.  If you experience fraud in a job offer, we encourage you to contact the KBR ethics hotline (fhoukbrcode@kbr.com) and report it to the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here.