Senior Flight Operator

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations. Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure. Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets. Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas. The Opportunity As a Senior Flight Operator on the Flight Team, you are one of the people who make Skyways aircraft fly, and one of the people other operators learn from. You will plan and execute the most demanding missions and flight tests, own operational workstreams end to end, troubleshoot in real time, and turn what you see in the field into the procedures and standards the rest of the team flies by. This is a hands-on, field-based role focused on real operations. Beyond flying, you will raise the operational bar: developing procedures, leading readiness reviews, and bringing junior operators up to speed. Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more! Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations. Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. What You’ll Do: Plan, execute, and document complex flight tests and operational missions, owning mission planning workstreams from objective through debrief Lead flight readiness reviews and make the call on whether a mission is go or no-go Conduct preflight and postflight inspections and ensure compliance with FAA regulations Operate aircraft safely and effectively across a wide range of conditions and mission profiles, including the highest-complexity sorties Develop and own flight procedures, checklists, SOPs, and operational best practices that the broader team adopts Mentor and train junior flight operators, and set the quality and safety standard through your own execution Support vehicle testing, system validation, and operational readiness reviews Troubleshoot issues in the field and partner with engineering to drive system and procedure improvements Serve as a trusted operational voice in cross-functional planning with engineering and flight test What You’ll Bring: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate 5+ years of hands-on UAS or flight operations experience, including independent ownership of missions or test campaigns Experience flying drones (non-DJI) for commercial purposes Strong knowledge of airspace, flight safety, and regulations A track record of developing procedures or training other operators Excellent situational awareness and attention to detail Ability to adapt quickly in dynamic, real-world flight environments Current FAA Third Class Medical or the ability to obtain one Bonus Points If You Have: Experience with large (>55 lb AUW) UAVs Experience with ArduPilot or PX4 UAVs FAA Part 61 certificate(s) Background in aviation or aerospace Instructional experience in an aviation or other technical context Technical skills in maintenance, troubleshooting, or data processing

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