Senior Technician, Unmanned System Test Operator (R5413)

Shield AI is hiring a Senior Technician, Unmanned System Test Operator (R5413) in San Diego, United States. It pays $28-$42/hr and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

Little AI ●○○○ is how Level rates this role: aI is not part of the work.
Level classifies it as a senior role.
Level lists 654 other open roles at Shield AI.

AI in this role

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

The HMS UAS Operations Technician is responsible for the execution of surrogate flight test operations supporting the Hivemind portfolio. This role conducts day-to-day flight activities, aircraft preparation, system configuration, field operations, and operational support for autonomy testing.
The HMS UAS Operations Technician serves as the primary operator and technical lead for Group 1/2 UAS test assets, ensuring aircraft, payloads, ground control systems, and supporting equipment are mission-ready and operated in accordance with established procedures, safety requirements, and operational standards.
This position works closely with software, systems, and flight operations teams to support the integration, validation, and operational assessment of autonomy capabilities in laboratory, ground, and flight environments.

What you'll do:

Operate flight test platforms in support of daily fly-fix-fly verification activities
Serve as a primary operator for Group 1/2 UAS platforms during developmental and operational testing.
Configure, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot aircraft, payloads, autopilot systems, and ground control stations.
Coordinate aircraft readiness, pre-flight inspections, launch and recovery operations, and post-flight maintenance activities.
Execute operational test procedures and mission plans while ensuring compliance with established safety and operational requirements.
Support development, refinement, and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational best practices.
Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, airspace requirements, range procedures, and company flight operations standards.
Assist in flight planning, airspace coordination, mission scheduling, and operational risk assessments.

Required qualifications:

5+ years of experience operating and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms in test, military, commercial, or operational environments.
Strong knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, ground control stations, communications systems, and payload integration.
Experience developing, implementing, and executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and operational processes.
Working knowledge of FAA regulations, National Airspace System (NAS) operations, airspace coordination, and flight authorization requirements.
Experience conducting flight operations in dynamic and complex test environments.
Strong organizational, communication, and mission planning skills.
Ability to coordinate effectively with software, systems, safety, and flight operations personnel.
FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAS operational experience.
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience supporting autonomy, AI-enabled systems, or developmental flight test programs, particularly with multi-aircraft or distributed UAS operations.
Fabrication experience with design, build of mechanical and electrical systems
Familiarity with standard control and autopilot elements such as QGC, Mission Planner, Ardupilot, Px4
Military UAS operations or test experience.

#LI-LD1 #LC
Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment) Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information. ### Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

How we rate this

Senior Technician, Unmanned System Test Operator (R5413) at Shield AI rates 36 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Senior Technician, Unmanned System Test Operator (R5413) is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed pay is $28-$42/hr.
The role is based in San Diego, California.
The job was posted on August 5, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Shield AI. Apply on Shield AI