Singularity Defense

Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator

El Segundo, CA

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 21 days ago

Business DevelopmentAvionicsSystems EngineeringRoboticsLeadership

About the role

You will fly a wide range of remotely-piloted vehicles-from high-speed RC jets to low-speed target drones, heavy-lift quadcopters, and custom R&D platforms.
This role is hands-on and mission-critical; you will be directly involved in preparing aircraft, executing flight operations, and supporting autopilot tuning and integration efforts (ArduPilot/ArduPlane/ArduCopter).
You will work closely with flight software, GNC, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure safe and reliable flight test execution across multiple development programs.

Maintain positive control of aircraft during nominal flights and during upset or emergency scenarios.
Autopilot Development Support Support flight software and GNC engineers with ArduPilot-based integrations (ArduPlane, ArduCopter, Mission Planner, QGC, etc.).
Perform manual flight testing to characterize aircraft dynamics prior to autopilot engagement.
Test & Operations Support Contribute to test card creation, range coordination, and safe test execution.

3+ years experience flying RC aircraft, drones, or UAS (fixed-wing + multirotor).
Experience with RC transmitters, flight modes, failsafes, and standard radio protocols.
Ability to diagnose and repair basic airframe, propulsion, and avionics issues under time pressure.
Familiarity with ArduPilot, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar autopilot ecosystems.
Ability to travel for flight tests and work in outdoor environments.

Experience tuning ArduPilot, PX4, Betaflight, or other autopilot systems.
Familiarity with autonomous flight testing and data review (logs, telemetry, onboard captures).
Experience with high-speed FPV, long-range links, or high-G maneuvering aircraft.
FAA Part 107 certification.
Background in aerospace, robotics, or mechanical/electrical engineering.

We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in El Segundo, CA.
Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop, ABL and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and top-tier Silicon Valley rms.
We're assembling a high-agency team committed to moving fast, solving hard problems, and defending what matters most.
With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.
About the Role We are seeking an experienced Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator to support the flying, development, testing, and evaluation of next-generation high-speed aerial targets and autonomous flight systems.

This listing is sourced directly from Singularity Defense's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.