UxS Mission Operations Specialist (Contract)

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

Estimated Duration: 4-6 months, with opportunity for extension based on program needs

The Role

We're looking for a UxS Mission Operation Specialist to support defense-related initiatives across ground, air, and maritime unmanned systems. This isn't just a pure drone operations role. You'll be embedded across the full mission lifecycle, from planning and integration through execution, assessment, and iteration, working alongside our autonomy engineers, mission teams, and defense customers in the field. This role requires a willingness to travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational environments across the U.S.

What You'll Do

• Plan and execute missions across unmanned air, ground, and/or maritime platforms in operational and expeditionary environments

• Support live and simulated mission scenarios for defense customers and internal test programs Control multiple unmanned platforms simultaneously across multiple domains, sensor feeds, and real-time route adjustments based on operational requirements.

• Serve as a key interface between customers and engineering teams, translating field observations into actionable system feedback

• Conduct mission planning, airspace and operational coordination, and pre-mission risk assessments

• Document operational findings, anomalies, and lessons learned in structured after-action reports

• Develop and refine SOPs and TTPs as Swarm Aero's operational frameworks mature

• Serve as primary interface with government stakeholders during operations, coordinating with decision authorities on mission execution (targeting approvals, weapons release, ROE coordination) and briefing senior military leadership during demonstrations and evaluations.

• Travel domestically and internationally to support test events, customer programs, and operational deployments

What We're Looking For

• 4+ years of experience operating unmanned systems (UAS, UGV, USV, or multi-domain) in defense, government, or field environments

• Hands-on experience supporting DoD, DHS, or other government agency programs

• Operational comfort across more than one platform type or domain is a strong plus

• Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; Secret minimum required

• U.S. citizenship required

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, resource-constrained, and fast-moving field environments

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to engage credibly with defense customers and technical teams alike

• Willingness to travel up to 50+% of the time or on a rotational basis within the team to meet operational demands.

Nice to Have

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

• Experience with autonomous or swarm UxS platforms

• Background in U.S. military aviation, ground operations, special operations, or the intelligence community

• Familiarity with GCS software, mission planning tools (e.g., Falcon View, ATAK), or common ISR workflows

• Basic maintenance and troubleshooting experience on unmanned hardware

• Prior experience working alongside defense contractors, PEOs, or program offices

  This is a contract position. Engagement length is subject to program requirements and mutual agreement.

   

What We Offer

• Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

• Medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• PTO and paid sick leave