Drone Operator

The future of defense will be decided by those who field intelligent machines at scale. At Scout AI, we’re developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers those machines to sense, decide, and act together as one. This mission will ask everything of us: urgency, precision, and relentless work.

The RoleWe’re hiring a Drone Operator to join our Mission Operations team at our test site in Paso Robles, CA. You’ll pilot and supervise uncrewed aerial systems during test flights, autonomy trials, and live mission rehearsals - operating both manually and in supervised-autonomy modes. This is a hands-on, field-based role for someone who is comfortable in the air, meticulous about safety, and energized by working at the frontier of defense robotics.

Responsibilities

• Plan, set up, and execute drone flight operations in support of autonomy testing and mission rehearsals
• Pilot uncrewed aerial systems manually and supervise autonomous flight, intervening safely when needed
• Conduct pre-flight inspections, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot hardware and payload issues in the field
• Capture, log, and organize flight data, telemetry, and observations to feed our model training and engineering teams
• Enforce airspace, range, and safety protocols, and help maintain compliance with FAA and site regulations
• Provide clear, structured feedback to engineers on system performance, failure modes, and edge cases
• Support field deployments, including equipment transport, staging, and recovery

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience operating drones / uncrewed aerial systems (commercial, military, or equivalent)
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or the ability to obtain one prior to start
• Strong situational awareness, sound judgment under pressure, and an uncompromising commitment to safety
• Comfort working outdoors in varied conditions at a test range, with the ability to lift and transport equipment
• Mechanical aptitude and basic troubleshooting skills with hardware, batteries, and payloads
• Clear communicator who can document observations and collaborate closely with engineers
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
• Passion about defense of the United States and its allies
• May be expected to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Why Join Scout

• Work on the world’s most important frontier, ensuring U.S. dominance in the age of intelligent machines
• Be a core part of a team building the first defense-specific robotic foundation model
• Collaborate with some of the top engineers in autonomy, AI, and national security
• Help define the future of intelligent defense systems
• Backed by Draper Associates, Booz Allen Ventures, and other top investors

The stated hourly pay range below represents an estimated pay only and reflects consideration of multiple compensation factors. Final offers may differ depending on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience or training background, specialized skills, and business needs. 

US Hourly Pay Range$30—$50 USD