UAV / Drone Pilot and Customer Success Specialist

At WingXpand® Locations: Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO

‍Type Part Time & Full Time

About WingXpand WingXpand is Expanding What’s Possible ™ with Autonomous Systems with our 8ft smart plane that expands from a backpack to help farmers grow more yield, public safety crews respond to disasters faster, and keep soldiers safe.

We’re a rapidly growing startup that is creating the future of smart, connected, robotics. We want you to play a key role in our journey!

Position Description We are on the hunt for an experienced Fixed-Wing UAV / Drone Pilot to support our growing team and flight activities. If you have 3+ years of experience in flying fixed-wing UAVs or come from a military background where you've handled similar equipment, we're eager to have you on board. Your role will be pivotal in safely operating our drones for various missions and ensuring the highest standards of flight operations through development activities and customer flight demos.

Key Responsibilities

• Flight Operations: Safely pilot fixed-wing drones/UAVs for various missions, ensuring adherence to flight plans and protocols.
• Pre-flight Checks: Conduct thorough pre-flight inspections, ensuring all equipment is in optimal condition and meeting all safety standards.
• Post-flight Analysis: Review flight data post-mission, ensuring any irregularities are reported and addressed with engineering and leadership.
• Training & Development: Support training initiatives, development of curriculum and customer flight demos.
• Customer Success: Engage with customers to achieve desired outcomes.
• Instructor: Lead classes of students through instructor led training in classroom and flight qualification to certify new pilots.
• Product Engagement: Work with engineering team on system improvements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven experience as a fixed-wing UAV pilot.
• 1+ years of experience as an instructor or technical lead role.
• Military background in aviation, especially in Group 1 drone piloting, is a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of aviation safety standards and best practices.
• Strong problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Ability to travel to customer locations, potentially with limited notice.

Additional Qualifications

• Prefer those with desire to also support business development activities, including trade shows and proposal development
• Prefer those with a desire to collaborate with engineering and development teams to improve product

What Else You Need To Know To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations, applicant must be a 'U.S. Person' (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder).

We offer a competitive package based on level of experience, including the possibility of WingXpand stock options and advancement opportunities as the company expands.

If you are a self-motivated, results-driven individual with a passion for innovation and technology, we want to hear from you! Apply today and join us on the journey of expanding what’s possible with aerial intelligence for those that keep our world running!

Please apply with your resume and / or CV explaining why you are the perfect candidate for this role.